? Credit Points : 10  ? SCQF Level : 9  ? Acronym : GEO-3-FOSPAL

Fossils provide outstanding tools for temporal resolution and the interpretation of past surface conditions. This course will explore how fossils can be used by geologists and the reasons why they are useful. Limitations to their utility will also be discussed. The course will concentrate on the most commonly encountered groups of fossils and will introduce a wide range of tools for use in extracting information from them. The course will comprise lectures, specimen-based practicals and the extensive use of computer-based resources. Fossils are the remains of life on Earth, and they record important information about the origin, diversity and evolution of life. This course will concentrate on the biologically important aspects of palaeontology, evolution, palaeoecology and extinction. The interface between molecular biology and historical biology will be explored and complementary techniques identified and assessed. The course will comprise lectures, specimen-based practicals and the extensive use of computer-based resources. No previous knowledge is assumed.

? Pre-requisites : Sedimentology A

? Costs : None

Home subject area

Earth Science, (School of GeoSciences, Schedule N)

? Normal year taken : 3rd year

? Delivery Period : Semester 1 (Blocks 1-2)

? Contact Teaching Time : 3 hour(s) per week for 10 weeks

First Class Information

Date Start End Room Area Additional Information 19/09/2006 14:00 14:50 Lecture Theatre 201, Geology/Geophysics KB

All of the following classes

Type Day Start End Area Lecture Tuesday 14:00 14:50 KB Laboratory Tuesday 15:00 15:50 KB Laboratory Tuesday 16:10 17:00 KB

to be confirmed

50% degree exam; 50% assessment of practical work.

Exam times

Diet Diet Month Paper Code Paper Name Length 1ST December 1 - 1 hour(s)

The Course Secretary should be the first point of contact for all enquiries.

Course Secretary

Mrs Patrizia Mencuccini
Tel : (0131 6)50 5101
Email : patrizia.mencuccini@ed.ac.uk

Course Organiser

Dr Sue Rigby
Tel : (0131 6)50 8543
Email : Sue.Rigby@ed.ac.uk

School Website : http://www.geos.ed.ac.uk/

College Website : http://www.scieng.ed.ac.uk/