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BIOL381: Invertebrate Palaeontology

This unit investigates the evolution, classification, and techniques of preparation of stratigraphically important fossil invertebrate groups, particularly brachiopods, cnidarians, echinoderms, molluscs and trilobites; particular attention is given to functional morphology and evolutionary phylogeny. The unit integrates fieldwork, practical work, lecture material, and the reading of pivotal palaeontological papers so that students gain an in-depth appreciation of the types of problems that palaeontologists are currently coming to grips with. This unit is largely a hands-on practical based unit where students learn how to identify invertebrate fossils using a range of traditional and modern taxonomic methods. The same skills learned in this unit are equally applicable to biological materials. The unit has a compulsory weekend field excursion where students collect fossil material that forms the basis of ongoing practical work throughout the semester.

Credit Points: 3
Contact Hours: 5
When Offered:

D1 - Day; Offered in the first half-year

X1 - External study; Offered in the first half-year (Session Dates: 12-13 March; 26-27 March (F); 14-15 May)

Staff Contact(s): Dr Glenn Brock
Prerequisites:

GEOS235 or BIOL208 or BIOL261

Corequisites:

NCCW(s): BIOL378, GEOS312
Unit Designation(s):

Science

Assessed As: Graded
Offered By:

Department of Biological Sciences

Timetable Information

For unit timetable information please visit the Timetables@Macquarie Website .

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