A comprehensive examination of the fossil record through Earth history. Taxonomy and classification of important fossil groups, evolution and extinction, functional anatomy and morphology, ecologic significance of individual taxa and assemblages through time, paleogeographic reconstruction based on the fossil record, time-significance of fossil groups. Two lectures, one three-hour lab/week. Textbook, journal articles, research paper, and weekend field trip. Offered in alternate years.
Prerequisites
Geology 110, 120, or 125; and Geology 227.