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Evolutionary Palaeontology - BIOL381

This unit investigates the evolution, classification, and techniques of preparation of stratigraphically important fossil invertebrate groups, particularly brachiopods, cnidarians, echinoderms, molluscs and trilobites; particular attention is given to functional morphology and evolutionary phylogeny. The unit integrates fieldwork, practical work, lecture material, and the reading of pivotal palaeontological papers so that students gain an in-depth appreciation of the types of problems that palaeontologists are currently coming to grips with. This unit is largely a hands-on unit where students learn how to identify invertebrate fossils using a range of traditional and modern taxonomic methods. The skills learned in this unit are equally applicable to biological materials. The unit has a compulsory weekend field excursion where students collect fossil material that forms the basis of ongoing practical work throughout the semester.

Credit Points: 3
When Offered:

S2 Day - Session 2, North Ryde, Day

S2 External - Session 2, External (On-campus dates: Compulsory)

Staff Contact(s): Dr John Alroy
Prerequisites:

39cp including (BIOL261 or BIOL262Prerequisite Information

Corequisites:

NCCW(s): BIOL378, GEOS312
Unit Designation(s):

Science

Unit Type:
Assessed As: Graded
Offered By:

Department of Biological Sciences

Faculty of Science

Timetable Information

For unit timetable information and session dates for external offerings please visit the Timetables@Macquarie Website.