GEOL333-09S1 (C) Semester One 2009

Evolution of the Biosphere

14 points

Details:
Start Date: Monday, 23 February 2009
End Date: Sunday, 28 June 2009
Withdrawal Dates
Last Day to withdraw from this course:
  • Without financial penalty (full fee refund): Sunday, 8 March 2009
  • Without academic penalty (including no fee refund): Sunday, 24 May 2009

Description

Multidisciplinary studies of biosphere evolution emphasising the dynamic interaction of the biosphere through time with the Earth's other main systems.

This course explores recent multidisciplinary studies of biosphere evolution emphasising the dynamic interaction of the biosphere through time with the Earth's other main systems.

What you need for this course:
GEOL112 "Understanding Earth History", and GEOL234 "Stratigraphy and Paleontology" plus 11 additional points from GEOL232 - GEOL236. With the permission of the HOD, 22 points from 200 level BIOL papers may be substituted for 22 points of 200 level GEOL.

Learning Outcomes

  • Students successfully completing this course will be able to:
  • Access on-line geological and paleontological databases,
  • Discuss the major features, influences and interactions between the various Earth systems (biosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, and cryosphere),
  • Evaluate contemporary ideas and controversies surrounding the origin of life and its subsequent Precambrian diversification,
  • Describe the dynamic interrelationships between global plate distributions and global biodiversities through time ,
  • Review the major Phanerozoic extinction events and their likely causes,
  • Discuss the major Cenozoic paleoclimate events and their likely causes ,
  • Prepare and present a 20 minute seminar on a relevant topic .

Prerequisites

GEOL112 and GEOL234 plus 11 additional points from GEOL232-GEOL238. With the permission of the HOD, 22 points from 200-level BIOL papers may be substituted for 22 points of 200-level GEOL. RP: GEOL235.

Recommended Preparation

Course Coordinator / Lecturer

Jamie Shulmeister

Lecturers

Kerry Swanson and Catherine Reid

Assessment

Assessment Due Date Percentage  Description
Seminar 10% Seminar
Essay 03 Apr 2009 15% Essay
Laboratory Assessment 05 Jun 2009 25%
Final examination 50% Final examination

Textbooks / Resources

Recommended Reading

Brenchley, Patrick J. , Harper, David A. T; Palaeoecology : ecosystems, environments and evolution ; 1st ed; Chapman & Hall, 1998 (This book covers the past reconstruction of the ecological world at population, community and biogeographic levels).

Course links

Library portal

Notes

Relationship of GEOL333 to Other Courses
GEOL112 is an essential prerequisite for this course along with 22 points from 200 level GEOL/PAMS/ZOOL with the approval of the Head of Department, Geological Sciences. GEOL333 is strongly recommended if you wish to do GEOL481 Evolutionary Paleobiology. It may be a benefitical option for students contemplating postgraduate studies in Environmental Science, Zoology, and Plant and Microbial Sciences.

Indicative Fees

Domestic fee $580.00

International fee $2,637.00

* All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any programme level discount or additional course-related expenses.

For further information see Geological Sciences .

All GEOL333 Occurrences

  • GEOL333-09S1 (C) Semester One 2009
  • GEOL333-09S2 (C) Semester Two 2009 - Not Offered
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