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Dinosaurs
Prof. G.R. McGhee. Survey of dinosaurian evolution and diversity. Discovery and collection; reconstruction of anatomy, behavior, physiology, and habitats; origin, evolutionary radiation, and extinction.
Syllabus
Week # |
Topics |
1
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Introduction
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2
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Geological time and the evolution of life on earth
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3
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The major phases of global ecosystem evolution
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4
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Basic concepts of species and macroevolution
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5
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Philosophies of dinosaur systematics
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6
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Evolution of the earliest vertebrates
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7
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Invasion of the land: the terrestrial ecosystem before the evolution of dinosaurs
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8
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What is a reptile? The amphibian-reptile transition
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9
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EXAMINATION I |
10
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The reptilian precursors to the dinosaur ecosystem
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11
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The archosaur and dinosaur controversies: do dinosaurs "really exist"?
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12
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Classification of the dinosaurs: traditional views and "hot-blooded" challenges
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13
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The first saurischian dinosaurs: the sauropodomorphs
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14
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The carnivorous saurischians: the theropods
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15
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Predatory dinosaurs and the evolution of birds
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16
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The armored ornithischians: stegosaurs, ankylosaurs
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17
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The "bipedal" ornithischians: hypsilophodonts, iguanodonts, and hadrosaurs
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18
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The last ornithischians: ceratopsians and the peculiar pachycephalosaurs
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19
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The structure and evolution of the dinosaur ecosystem
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20
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Dinosaur physiology: Were the dinosaurs endothermic?
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21
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EXAMINATION II |
22
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The hot debate concerning "hot-blooded" dinosaurs
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23
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Dinosaur behavior: Were the dinosaurs social?
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24
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End of the Cretaceous: destruction of the dinosaur ecosystem
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25
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What caused the mass extinction?
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26
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Ecosystem dynamics: "passive" replacement of dinosaurs by mammals?
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27
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The Paleocene: rapid radiation of mammals in the post-dinosaur world
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28
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Rutgers University Geology Museum visit
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...
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FINAL EXAMINATION |
Additional Info:
Required Text: DINOSAURS (4th Ed), by S. G. Lukas
Reccomended Text: LECTURE TOPICS IN DINOSAURS, by G. R. McGhee
Course Pre-requisites: A genuine interest in dinosaurian paleobiology.
Basis for Grade: Three examinations. Each examination counts as 1/3rd (33.3%) of the total course grade. The examinations are not cumulative; each covers 1/3 of the lecture material.
Nature of Examinations: Totally objective (multiple choice, true - false, matching) |
