Soran University
Faculty of Science and Engineering
Department of Petroleum Geosciences
Course Book
Paleontology and Stratigraphy
Third Class
First Semester – Academic Year 2014 / 2015
Assistant Professor: Dr. Ali Ashoor Abid
Email: aliashoor60@yahoo.com
Mobile: 07504133741
07702989125
Office Hours: by appointment
Class: Sunday (8.30-10.30)am
Course Objectives
This subject deals with the nature of fossils; hence its main concern
is the specimens as seen by eyes and down the microscope, considered as a
once-living organism. The naming of parts, which is the first essential step,
precedes the naming and classification of the specimen, in which a number
of genera are described briefly and accompanied by labeled line drawings
such as the student, may prepare himself. More derivative data, as for the
general history of a group, are broadly sketched but the all-important
matter of their geological applications is covered for each group in the form
of an “animated” reference list, turning students towards books or articles
of special interest.
We envisioned a college-level introductory text, including all fossil
groups used in the study of the marine environment. We hoped to provide
a source for basic information on each group, for comprehension of the
type of reasoning applied to the study of fossils and their use in
(paleo)oceanography, and for locating essential background material and
references necessary to pursue any group further.
Stratigraphy is considered among the essential sciences of the Earth
Sciences because it relates to the mode of formation of strata (Sedimentary
Rocks) and stratigraphic column which includes the main stratigraphic
units.Additionally,it is necessary to become familiar with a number of
operations and procedures used in the gathering and analysis of
stratigraphic data and materials.
An important pedagogical purpose of this course is to acquaint the
student with standard literature of stratigraphy. This purpose is
accomplished by selected readings from a number of text books and
periodicals.
Two objectives have been kept in mind.First one is to direct the
student attention to other sources for further informations on topics
necessarily treated briefly;the other is to make available to the student
other points of view than those discussed in this course.
Also, it is the purpose of this course to assemble and integrate the
facts,principles,and hypothesis bearing upon stratigraphy and
sedimentation in aform thatmay be studied and assimilated in an efficient
manner.
Forms of Teaching
Before talking about this item it is worth to mention important notes
or general instructions for students which include:
 Always, be present in the hall before the instructor

You must close mobile before entering the hall

You must be ready to hear the lecture

You must sit down and don’t talk especially during explanation

You must discuss and ask about all informations that you can’t
understand

Always, you must read the required or text books to compare with
lecture that you receive
Teaching includes different manners:
 Power point presentations

Overhead presentations

Explanations on blackboard

Classroom discussions

Polarized and Binocular Microscopes ( in practical part )
Grading
Theoretical part equals 12.5%; this degree will be approached by
at least two examinations in addition to quizzes plus the degree of the
scientific trip. Sometimes the activity of the students within the classroom
is evaluated and counted with the above-mentioned degree. Practical part
takes 7.5% (details are shown in attached papers of practical part).
Final Examination: 30% (20% theoretical plus 10 practical)
Course Material
Required references include several types namely the main text books,
additional books , journals, bulletins, thesis of Master and Ph.D degree plus
the more recent informations from internet.
Main Text Books
Haq,B.U.and Boersma,A.,1978 : Introduction to marine micropaleontology.
Elsevier. New York.376p.
Brasier,M.D.,1980 : Microfossils. George Allen and Unwin. London, Boston,
Sydney.193p.
Bignot,G.,1985: Elements of micropalaeontology. Graham and
Trotman.217p.
Armstrong,H.A. and Brasier,M.D.,2005: Microfossils (Second Edition).
Blackwell Publishing.296p.
Krumbein,W.C.and Sloss,L.L.,1963.Stratigraphy and Sedimentation.
Freeman and Company,San Francisco,660p.
Boggs,Jr,S.,2006.Principles of Sedimentology and Stratigraphy.
Prentice-Hall,New York,662p.
Nichols,G.,2009.Sedimentology and Stratigraphy.Second Edition.
Wiley-Blackwell,419p.
Journals and Bulletins
Micropaleontology
Marine Micropaleontology
Bull.Utrecht Micropaleontology
Journal of Paleontology
Course Program
Week 1 – Paleontology
Introduction; Importance of paleontology; fossils-What are they?;Why
study fossils?; The kingdoms of life; the bases of classification of organisms,
Nature of Fossils, Requisites of Fossilization, Types of Preservation, Values
of Fossils, Classification of Microfossils, Classification of Macrofossils,
Family Tree of Animal Life.
Week 2- Foraminifera
Introduction; History of foraminiferal research; Systematic position;
The cell and its contents; The living animal (Nutrition, Movement,
Reproduction); Test morphology; General description of the foraminiferal
test : 1.Wall structure 2.Overall shape 3.Shape and arrangement of
chambers 4.Apertures 5.Sutures 6.Ornamentation;Evolution lines of
Foraminifera; Classification, ancient and modern;Paleoecology, different
factors; Stratigraphic distribution and Geologic history.
Week 3 - Larger Foraminifera
Rank of forms; Classification; Family Fusulinidae : General
characters, Wall structure, Septa, Shape of the test, Size of the test,
Evolutionary Trends, Classification, Geological distribution; Family
Lepidocyclinidae: General description, Embryonic and periembryonic
Chambers,Evolutionary and systematic importance of the
Embryonic chambers; Family Discocyclinidae: General description,
Types of embryonic chambers; Family Nummulitidae: General
Description, Classification according to arrangement of median
layer, Types of septal filaments on Nummulites tests, Phylogeny
and stratigraphic distribution of some Nummulitidae genera ;
Family Miogypsinidae: General description, Recognition of forms
On the level of genera and subgenera; Family Alveolinidae :
General description, Axial elongation, Classification according to the
Internal st
Week 4 - Ostracoda
Systematic position; Comparison between Foraminifera and
Ostracoda; General characters; Soft body structure; Hard parts;
Ostracod carapace (inner lamella-outer lamella),Factors affect the
Shape of carapace; Muscle scars; Hingement, different types;
Orientation of the carapace(Anterior and Posterior,Dorsal and Ventral);
Larval stages; Sexual dimorphism; Paleoecology; Bases of classification.
Week 5 - Calcareous Algae
Introduction; History of study; Methods; General aspects;
Calcification; Classification(Skeletal Calcareous Algae, Non-skeletal
Biosedimentary Structures);Paleoecology; Geological distribution.
Week 6 - Spores and Pollen
Introduction; Palynology- definition, groups, importance; Pollen;
Spores; Morphology, Distinguishing criteria for pollen (size, shape,
apertures, sculpture, wall structure),Spore characteristics( basic
shape, types of meiosis and production of spores, size, apertures,
wall structures, sculpture.
Week 7 - Group Acritarcha
Introduction; Nature and systematic of the Acritarchs; Main
characteristics; Morphology(Main parts of the standard shape of
Acritarchs, The Vesicle);Different groups of Acritarch according to
The shape and symmetry of body; Wall structures (cross sections
in Acritarch genera to show different shapes of the wall); Types of
Processes; Types of Central body; Main parts of standard Process in
Acritarch (Base, Cavities, Stem, Tips, Branching);Ornamentation;
Classification, Bases; Important criteria for defining species and genera
Week 8
First Examination
Week 9
Introduction-Scope of Stratigraphy
-Relationship of the Stratigraphy with other sciences
-Code of Stratigraphic Nomenclature
-Basic Principles of Stratigraphy
Weeks 10
Stratigraphic Column-Introduction
-Categories of Stratigraphic Units;Formal and
Informal Names and Units
-Rock Stratigraphic(Lithostratigraphic) Units
Boundaries;Ranks (Group,Formation,Member,
Lentil and Tongue,Bed)
(Sketch shows lentil and tongue of the some formations,Northern
Iraq)
Nomenclature;Rule of Priority
-Soil Stratigraphic Units,Definition
Distinction from Rock Stratigraphic Units
Distinction from Pedologic Units
-Biostratigraphic Units,Definition
Fossil remains;Reworked Fossils;Leaked
Fossils;Definition and Kinds of Biozones
-Time Stratigraphic(Chronostratigraphic) Units
Definition and Boundaries;Ranks(System,Series
Stage)
-Geologic Time (Geochronologic) Units
Definition and Boundaries;Ranks(Eon,Era,
Period,Epoch,Age)
-Geologic Climate Units(For use in the Quaternary
Definition;Kinds
Week 11
Stratigraphic Procedures
-Outcrop Procedures
Measured Sections;Lithologic Samples;
Fossil Collecting;Measuring Horizantal
Strata;Measuring Inclined Strata;Laboratory
Study of Outcrop Samples
-Presentation of Outcrop Data
-Subsurface Procedures
Cable-Tool Samples;Rotary-Tool Samples;
Logging
-Presentation of Subsurface Data
Week 12
Stratigraphic Relationships
-Lithosomes,Shapes and Classification
-Vertical Relationship among Lithosomes
Conformable Relationships
Unconformable Relationships
-Lateral Relationships among Lithosomes
-Combined Lateral and Vertical Relationships
Transgression and Regression
Overlap and Offlap
Onlap and Overstep
Week 13
Stratigraphic Maps
-Organization of Map Data
-Classification of Stratigraphic Maps
Week 14 Second Examination