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Paleontology
Prof. G.R. McGhee. [Lec. 3 hrs., lab. 3 hrs. Prerequisite: 01:460:101.] The principles of paleontology. Classification, relationships, and evolutionary history of invertebrate fossils. Laboratory study of morphology of invertebrates.
Syllabus
The course is subequally divided into two parts: (1) An introduction to invertebrate paleozoology and (2) the uses of paleontological data in evolutionary paleobiology and paleoecology.
Week # |
Topics |
1
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Introduction
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2
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Classification: evolutionary systematics
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3
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Classification: numerical taxonomy
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4
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Classification: phylogenetic systematics
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5
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Sample bias and the fossil record
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6
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Evolution of the Monera
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7
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Evolution of the Protista
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8
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The Porifera, the Cnidaria
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9
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EXAMINATION I |
10
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The Lophophorata, I
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11
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The Lophophorata, I
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12
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Introduction to the Mollusca
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13
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The Gastropoda
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14
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The Bivalvia
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15
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The Cephalopoda
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16
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The Arthropoda, I
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17
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The Arthropoda, II
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18
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EXAMINATION II |
19
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The Echinodermata
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20
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Origin of chordates
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21
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The analysis of growth (ontogeny)
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22
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Paleopopulation dynamics
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23
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Models of the evolutionary process
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24
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Evolution of species in nature
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25
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The concept of adaptation in evolution
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26
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Analytic schools of morphologic evolution
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27
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Ecosystem evolution
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28
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Mass extinction theory
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FINAL EXAMINATION |
Course List
Current Course Offerings
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