2024/25 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

SOEE2145 Palaeoecology, Palaeobiology and Evolution

10 creditsClass Size: 130

Module manager: Paul Wignall
Email: P.B.Wignall@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2024/25

Module replaces

EARS2145

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Module summary

This course begins with a study of fossilisation processes and it then demonstrates how fossils are used to understand ancient environments, such as reef ecosystems and deep marine settings. It also demonstrates how fossils can provide information on the nature of evolutionary processes and patterns in groups as diverse as oysters and dinosaurs.- The course consists of a weekly lecture followed by a two hour practical that backs up the lecture material and involves the study of a diverse array of fossils. - There are no prerequisites. - This module is taught throughout semester 1 by lectures and practicals.

Objectives

On completion of this module, students should be able to have a sound grasp of the use of fossil information in both earth and evolutionary sciences.

The student will be able to utilise palaeoecological and ichnological data to interpret past environments and fossil data to evaluate evolutionary histories. In particular the students will become familiar with marine palaeoenvironments and the analysis of controlling variables such as water depth, palaeoeoxygenation, substrate type.

Syllabus

The course will cover the principals of ecology and how they can be applied in palaeoecological analysis, the use of trace fossils in reconstructing palaeoenvironments, echinoderm palaeobiology and functional morphology of test shape, statistical analysis of palaeodiversity using the R programme, exceptionally preserved biotas - controlling factors and their identification in hand specimen, the use of fossils to determine ancient oxygen levels, micro and macroevolutionary patterns of level bottom communities, construction of cladograms and evolutionary trees, extinctions in the history of life.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	11	1.00	11.00
Practical	20	2.00	40.00
Private study hours			49.00
Total Contact hours			51.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			100.00

Private study

Pre-reading for lectures

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Selected practicals will be assessed during the course

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Practical	1 set of practicals handed in at the end of term	30.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		30.00

Re-sit is by examination only.

Exams

Exam type	Exam duration	% of formal assessment
Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc)	2 hr 00 mins	70.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)		70.00

Re-sit is by examination only.

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 04/09/2024

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