WAYLAND BAPTIST UNIVERISTY
___________ CAMPUS
SCHOOL OF MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCES
WAYLAND MISSION STATEMENT: Wayland Baptist University exists to educate students
in an academically challenging, learning-focused and distinctively Christian environment for
professional success and service to God and humankind.
COURSE NUMBER AND TITLE: GEOL 3410-section; Paleontology
TERM:
NAME OF INSTRUCTOR:
OFFICE PHONE NUMBER AND WBU EMAIL ADDRESS:
OFFICE HOURS, BUILDING, AND LOCATION:
CLASS MEETING TIME AND LOCATION:
CATALOG DESCRIPTION: A study of paleontologic principles and methods with emphasis
on systematics, paleoecology, and biostratigraphy; taxonomy, biogeography and fossil
identification. Lecture three hours, laboratory three hours. $90 fee.
PREREQUISITE: GEOL 1401 and 1402 or consent of instructor
TEXTBOOK:
LAB BOOK: TBA
*Choose from approved textbook list
COURSE OUTCOME COMPETENCIES:
Upon completion of the course the student will
1. understand concepts of variation and speciation.
2. have knowledge and be able to use various systematics of the classification of fossils
3. understand possible interelationships between extinction and evolution
4. understand major paleoecologic, and biogeographic concepts.
5. know and apply various biostratigraphic analytical techniques.
6. be familiar with major fossil groups , their identification, and their changes through time
ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS: The university expects students to make class attendance
a priority. No makeup, late work or redoing of work will be permitted except for makeup work
for excused absences due to official university business or very serious illness (hospital time).
Excused absences will be granted if the student contacts the instructor prior to the scheduled
class time in which the absence is to occur. In the case of an emergency where the student is
unable to contact the instructor, a valid form of documentation must be given to the instructor
verifying why the student was absent. Students are expected to make up work within one week
of the absence and need to schedule a time with the instructor.
Notice of excused absences for official university business should be provided on 8.5x11
paper. Notice should be given prior to the absence or no makeup will be allowed. Notice should
include the following 3 items: 1. Name, 2. Date of absence, & 3. Reason for absence.
On dates when grades will be taken for test, quiz, etc., any student more than 15 minutes
late will NOT be allowed to do the work for a grade and are considered absent.
STATEMENT ON PLAGIARISM AND ACADEMIC DISHONESTY:
Wayland Baptist University observes a zero tolerance policy regarding academic dishonesty. Per
university policy as described in the academic catalog, all cases of academic dishonesty will be
reported and second offenses will result in suspension from the university.
DISCRIMINATION POLICY: It is university policy that no otherwise qualified disabled
person be excluded from participating in, be denied the benefits of, or be subject to
discrimination under any educational program or activity in the University.
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), it is the policy of
Wayland Baptist University that no otherwise qualified person with a disability be excluded from
participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subject to discrimination under any educational
program or activity in the university. The Coordinator of Counseling Services serves as the
coordinator of students with a disability and should be contacted concerning accommodation
requests at (806) 291-3765. Documentation of a disability must accompany any request for
accommodations.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND GRADING CRITERIA: Students will be evaluated by
examinations, quizzes and lab activities as described in this syllabus under the heading
“Evaluation”.
EVALUATION: University Grading System: A=90-100, B=80-89, C=70-79, D=60-69, F=below
60. The final class grade will be based on the average of grades that are earned as listed below.
Tests
3*
(100 points each)
Labs
12*
(25 points each)
Assignments and quizzes TBA
Students shall have protection through orderly procedures against prejudices or capricious
academic evaluation. A student who believes that he or she has not been held to realistic
academic standards, just evaluation procedures, or appropriate grading, may appeal the final
grade given in the course by using the student grade appeal process described in the Academic
Catalog. Appeals may not be made for advanced placement examinations or course
bypass examinations. Appeals are limited to the final course grade, which may be upheld, raised,
or lowered at any stage of the appeal process. Any recommendation to lower a course grade must
be submitted through the Executive Vice President/Provost to the Faculty Assembly Grade
Appeals Committee for review and approval. The Faculty Assembly Grade Appeals Committee
may instruct that the course grade be upheld, raised, or lowered to a more proper evaluation.
TENTATIVE COURSE OUTLINE:
(Actual dates & book chapters may be included. This schedule includes student presentations
which may be omitted.)
______Subject
1 Introduction
2 Variation: Species and Speciation
3 Systematics
4 Evolution & Extinction
5 Functional Morphology
6 Paleoecology & Biogeography
7 Biostratigraphy & Taphonomy
8 Micropaleontology
9 Sponges, Archaeocyathans, and Cnidarians
10 Brachiopods and Bryozoans
11 Arthropods
12 Molluscs
13 Echinoderms
14 Vertebrates and Their Relatives
15 Fossilized Behavior: Trace Fossils
16 Paleobotany
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Revised 03/18/15