2017/18 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

SOEE3092 Applied Micropalaeontology

10 creditsClass Size: 30

Module manager: Dr Tracy Aze
Email: T.Aze@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2017/18

Pre-requisite qualifications

As or A Level Science

Module replaces

SOEE3091 and SOEE5625M Advances in Palaeontology

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Module summary

Microfossils encompass a broad range of fossil types, including both flora and fauna. Their record extends back hundreds of millions of years and includes some of the earliest evidence for life on Earth. This course aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the biology and ecology of the major different microfossil groups and any modern day representatives, together with skills based training that highlights their application to various aspects of the Earth sciences. This will span a broad range of interdisciplinary applications, from geochemical and morphological analysis of microfossils for palaeoclimatic reconstructions, assemblage analyses for interpreting changes in sea level, their use as biostratigraphic markers for dating of rocks in oil and gas exploration and how the exceptional completeness of some of their records makes them ideal for evolutionary research.

Objectives

This course aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the biology and ecology of the major different microfossil groups and any modern day representatives, together with skills based training that highlights their application to various aspects of the Earth sciences.

This will span a broad range of interdisciplinary applications, from geochemical and morphological analysis of microfossils for palaeoclimatic reconstructions, assemblage analyses for interpreting changes in sea level, their use as biostratigraphic markers for dating of rocks in oil and gas exploration and how the exceptional completeness of some of their records makes them ideal for evolutionary research.

Learning outcomes
- An understanding of the ecology and biology of the major microfossil groups and any modern day representatives
- An understanding of how microfossils can be used to investigate past climates and environments
- An understanding of how microfossils can be used as biostratigraphic markers, particularly in the oil and gas exploration industry
- An understanding of how microfossils can be used to investigate evolutionary patterns and processes

Skills outcomes
- Terrestrial microfossil ecology and biology
- Marine microfossil ecology and biology
- Palaeoclimate reconstructions
- Sea level reconstructions
- Biostratigraphy for oil and gas exploration
- Microfossils for studying evolutionary history
- Early Earth evolution

Syllabus

- Terrestrial microfossil ecology and biology
- Marine/coastal microfossil ecology and biology
- Palaeoclimate reconstructions
- Sea level reconstructions
- Biostratigraphy for oil and gas exploration
- Microfossils for studying evolutionary history
- Early Earth evolution

The course will train students through as series of lectures and practicals.

Formative assessment will given through three MCQ quizzes throughout the duration of the course based on the lecture material and three worksheets based on the practicals.

Summative assessment will be in the form of 1500 word report (which will be based on 3 hours of lab work and extra reading), and a two hour unseen exam.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	10	1.00	10.00
Practical	5	2.00	10.00
Private study hours			80.00
Total Contact hours			20.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			100.00

Private study

Supplementary reading for each lecture (20 hours)
The lab work data analysis and write up (40 hours)
Exam revision (20 hours)

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Formative assessment will be based on three MCQ quizzes that will be evenly spaced throughout the duration of the first half of the course. These will be designed to formatively assess the students understanding of the theoretical material covered in the lectures about microfossil biology and ecology.

There will also be worksheets associated with three of the practicals. These will be marked to provide formative assessment of the understanding of the material associated with each practical.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Essay	Essay (1500 words)	40.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		40.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Exams

Exam type	Exam duration	% of formal assessment
Unseen exam	2 hr	60.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)		60.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 26/04/2017

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