GEOL484-24S2 (C) Semester Two 2024

Special Topic

15 points

Details:
Start Date: Monday, 15 July 2024
End Date: Sunday, 10 November 2024
Withdrawal Dates
Last Day to withdraw from this course:
  • Without financial penalty (full fee refund): Sunday, 28 July 2024
  • Without academic penalty (including no fee refund): Sunday, 29 September 2024

Description

Special Topic

VERTEBRATE PALAEONTOLOGY: The aim of this course is to develop skills for understanding the deep-time evolutionary history of vertebrates, particularly in Aotearoa New Zealand, in the context of global and local environmental changes. The course will focus on the role of comparative anatomy, biogeography, palaeoecology, phylogeny and paleoenvironmental reconstructions, in understanding the macroevolutionary patterns driving vertebrate evolution. Students will also learn about commonly used methods and tools, and will gain insights into practical aspects of vertebrate palaeontology, such as fossil preparation and writing up research.

The course is intended for biology and geology majors with an interest in evolutionary biology and the evolutionary history of vertebrates, and it comprises of a mixture of lectures on the one hand and group discussions and presentations on the other, the latter centred around peer-reviewed publications relevant to lecture content and chosen by the students.

Learning Outcomes

Goal of the course:
To introduce students to academic research in vertebrate palaeontology, with a focus on understanding the evolutionary history of vertebrates primarily based, but not exclusively, on the New Zealand fossil record. Students will develop a critical understanding of the past diversity of vertebrates and the processes responsible for faunal changes through time in New Zealand and globally. Through lectures, presentations, group discussions, and written assignments, students will learn to interpret and study the vertebrate fossil record in the context of Earth’s dynamic systems.

Learning outcomes:
Students successfully completing this course will be able to:
-Understand and discuss the evolution of morphological and ecological adaptations in certain lineages (e.g., birds, mammals, reptiles).
-Understand and explain the main ideas behind vertebrate palaeontology research papers.
-Have a critical understanding of taxonomy, nomenclature, and systematic palaeontology.
-Interpret phylogenetic reconstructions and their application in vertebrate palaeontology.
-Discuss and examine the past diversity of vertebrates in New Zealand, and the faunal changes that took place during the Cenozoic.

Summary:
The course examines the evolutionary history and palaeobiology of vertebrate lineages through geological time, focusing on the environmental and geographical changes that have underpinned taxonomic, ecological, and morphological diversity. Through a combination of lectures and group discussions, the course aims to provide an up-to-date understanding of how research in vertebrate palaeontology is carried out and how palaeobiological information is obtained.

University Graduate Attributes

This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attributes specified below:

Critically competent in a core academic discipline of their award

Students know and can critically evaluate and, where applicable, apply this knowledge to topics/issues within their majoring subject.

Employable, innovative and enterprising

Students will develop key skills and attributes sought by employers that can be used in a range of applications.

Biculturally competent and confident

Students will be aware of and understand the nature of biculturalism in Aotearoa New Zealand, and its relevance to their area of study and/or their degree.

Globally aware

Students will comprehend the influence of global conditions on their discipline and will be competent in engaging with global and multi-cultural contexts.

Prerequisites

Subject to approval of the Head of Department.

Timetable 2024

Students must attend one activity from each section.

Lecture A
Activity Day Time Location Weeks
01 Friday 09:00 - 11:00 F3 Lecture Theatre
15 Jul - 28 Jul
Lecture B
Activity Day Time Location Weeks
01 Friday 12:00 - 14:00 Ernest Rutherford 460
29 Jul - 25 Aug
9 Sep - 20 Oct

Timetable Note

one two-hour period per week (one hour lecture, one-hour discussions/literature review/presentations).

Course Coordinator / Lecturer

Vanesa De Pietri

Lecturers

Paul Scofield and Al Mannering

Assessment

Assessment Due Date Percentage  Description
Participation 10% Engagement with class and material
Literature ASsignments 40% includes presentations
Written Assignments x 2 50% Worth 25% each. Due at the end of each term.


- Participation
- Literature Assignments
- Written Assignments

Notes

Prerequisites: A background in palaeontology or evolutionary biology is recommended. HOD approval.

Recommended preparation: There is no required textbook for this course. Students will be directed to relevant journal articles for discussion and presentations throughout the course, and will be expected to undertake their own research and reading.

Indicative Fees

Domestic fee $1,145.00

* 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 School of Earth and Environment .

All GEOL484 Occurrences

  • GEOL484-24S2 (C) Semester Two 2024