The University of British Columbia

Course Description

The fossil record of adaptation and extinction emphasizing the interaction of biological and geological processes. Not for credit in any Earth and Ocean Sciences program but allowable as credit towards the Earth Science component in the general science program.

UBC Calendar

For a full listing of course offerings please see the UBC calendar description

Learning Goals

1. Express how the concept of geological time is an important factor in our  understanding of the evolution of the Earth System.

2. Apply basic geological principles and geoscience knowledge in the interpretation of Earth’s geological and biological history.

3. Describe how the biosphere has adapted to exploit various environments in the Earth's oceans over time.

See also learning goals for non-specialist courses.

Instructors

Classroom version: Stuart Sutherland

Distance Education version: Louise Longridge

Textbook

1999 Levin, H. L. Ancient Invertebrates and Their Living Relatives

Course Content

Course Web Site: HERE

Lecture Topics

Week	Topics
1	Labour day; Introduction (PS/MG); Geological Principles / Deep Time / Origins (MG)
2	Geological Principles / Deep Time/ Origins (MG); Life before skeletons (MG)
3	Quiz / Life before skeletons continued (MG); Extinctions: the great dyings (MG)
4	Extinctions: the great dyings continued (MG); Vertebrates (MG)
5	Vertebrates (MG); Mid Term (MG)
6	Thanksgiving; Vertebrates (MG)
7	LAB 1
8	Adapting to the Ocean Floor (PS)
9	Adapting to the Ocean Floor (PS
10	Adapting to the Ocean Floor (PS); Conquering the oceans: Cephalopods (PS)
11	Remembrance Day; Conquering the oceans: Cephalopods (PS)
12	Lab 2
13

Global Distributions and Time (PS)

Labs

The labs are intended to give you hands on experience of some of the major fossil groups we are dealing with. You will be assigned to one lab section. There are no lectures scheduled during lab weeks. Labs will be held in EOS-Main.