WAYLAND BAPTIST UNIVERISTY
DIVISION OF MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCES
COURSE NUMBER AND TITLE: GEOL 3410 - Paleontology
Campus:
INSTRUCTOR:
Office:
Office Hours:
Phone:
Email:
CATALOG DESCRIPTION: A study of paleontologic principles and methods with emphasis on
systematics, paleoecology, and biostratigraphy. Other topics will include taphonomy,
biogeography and fossil identification.
PREREQUISITE: GEOL 1401 and 1402 or consent of instructor
TEXTBOOK:
LABBOOK:
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
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.
ATTENDANCE: The university expects students to make class attendance a priority.
(Place additional attendance requirements here.)
Paleontology
COURSE REQUIREMENTS: Students will be evaluated by examinations, quizzes, etc.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.
(Place test/quiz/lab grade values used and schedule here.)
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
This outline and other syllabus items are subject to change at university or instructor discretion.