The Paleontology integrates inextricably with the Geological Sciences and the Natural Sciences and is a fundamental tool to date rocks (biostratigraphy), for the reconstruction of ancient environments (paleoecology, paleobiogeography, paleoclimatology, paleoceanography) and for the interpretation of the historical dynamics current environments. The main purpose of education is to provide - following a critical approach and integrated - a thorough knowledge of the history of life on Earth in relation to the dynamics of our planet. The integration of paleoenvironmental information, paleoecology, paleoclimate and paleoceanographic with those of the history of life on Earth will show how the evolution of the planet has affected the evolution of life and vice versa.

Definition, meaning, objectives and applications of Paleontology. The paleontological record of life on Earth in relation to the evolution paleogeography, paleoclimate and paleoceanographic of our planet. Ecology and environmental factors. Paleoecology. Archives. The proxies. Paleoenvironmental reconstructions. Paleoicnologia. Fossil Lagerstatten. Integrated stratigraphy: biostratigraphy, magnetostratigraphy, isotope stratigraphy, stratigraphy chemical cyclostratigraphy, astrostratigrafia. Biogeography and paleobiogeography. Evolution. Extinctions and radiation. Fossil organisms applied to paleoenvironmental reconstructions, paleoecology, paleoclimate and paleoceanographic. Paleontological methods of field and laboratory. Palaeontological applications for Environment, Cultural Heritage and Nature.

After completing the course the student should have assimilated the basic knowledge in the field of Paleontology.

The teaching material prepared by the lecturer in addition to recommended textbooks (such as for instance slides, lecture notes, exercises, bibliography) and communications from the lecturer specific to the course can be found inside the Moodle platform › blended.uniurb.it

Field and laboratory excercises. Visits to museums and research centers.

Teaching

The course will take place through continuous interaction between lectures, exercises in the country, and in the laboratory under a microscope.

Course books

A. Brouwer, 1975, Paleontologia generale, le testimonianze fossili della vita, Mondadori; E.N.K. Clarkson, 1979, Invertebrate Paleontology and Evolution, George Allen & Unwin; B. Ziegler, 1983, Introduction to Palaeobiology: General Paleontology, Ellis Horwood; A. Allasinaz, 1992, Paleontologia Generale e Sistematica degli Invertebrati, ECIG; S. Raffi & E. Serpagli, 1993, Introduzione alla Paleontologia, UTET; M. Benton & O. Harper, 1997, Basic Paleontology, Longman; H.R. Fortey, 1999, Età: quattro miliardi di anni, Longanesi & C.; J.D. Macdougall, 1999, Storia della Terra, Giulio Einaudi Editore; G. Pinna (ed.), 1999, Alle radici della storia naturale d'Europa. Seicento milioni di anni attraversi i grandi giacimenti paleontologici, Jaca Book. P. Rawson and others, 2001, Stratigraphical Procedure, Geological Society Publishing House. D.R. Prothero, 2004, Bringing Fossils to Life, McGraw-Hill; M. Foote M. & A.I. Miller, 2006, Principles of Paleontology, W.H. Freeman; R.W. Jones, 2006, Applied Paleontology, Cambridge University Press; M.J. Benton & D.A.T. Harper, 2009, Introduction to Paleobiology and the Fossil Record, Wiley-Blackwell. G. Barsotti, M. Gnoli & A. Guerrini, 2015, Storia naturale del pianeta Terra, vol. 1 - Paleontologia generale, vol. 2 – Evoluzione della vita, Pacini Editore. Course materials also include PowerPoint presentations and reference books in specific topics as addressed during the course.

Assessment

Written and/or oral examination.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.

Teaching

The course will take place through continuous interaction between lectures, exercises in the country, and in the laboratory under a microscope.

Course books

A. Brouwer, 1975, Paleontologia generale, le testimonianze fossili della vita, Mondadori; E.N.K. Clarkson, 1979, Invertebrate Paleontology and Evolution, George Allen & Unwin; B. Ziegler, 1983, Introduction to Palaeobiology: General Paleontology, Ellis Horwood; A. Allasinaz, 1992, Paleontologia Generale e Sistematica degli Invertebrati, ECIG; S. Raffi & E. Serpagli, 1993, Introduzione alla Paleontologia, UTET; M. Benton & O. Harper, 1997, Basic Paleontology, Longman; H.R. Fortey, 1999, Età: quattro miliardi di anni, Longanesi & C.; J.D. Macdougall, 1999, Storia della Terra, Giulio Einaudi Editore; G. Pinna (ed.), 1999, Alle radici della storia naturale d'Europa. Seicento milioni di anni attraversi i grandi giacimenti paleontologici, Jaca Book. P. Rawson and others, 2001, Stratigraphical Procedure, Geological Society Publishing House. D.R. Prothero, 2004, Bringing Fossils to Life, McGraw-Hill; M. Foote M. & A.I. Miller, 2006, Principles of Paleontology, W.H. Freeman; R.W. Jones, 2006, Applied Paleontology, Cambridge University Press; M.J. Benton & D.A.T. Harper, 2009, Introduction to Paleobiology and the Fossil Record, Wiley-Blackwell. G. Barsotti, M. Gnoli & A. Guerrini, 2015, Storia naturale del pianeta Terra, vol. 1 - Paleontologia generale, vol. 2 – Evoluzione della vita, Pacini Editore. Course materials also include PowerPoint presentations and reference books in specific topics as addressed during the course.

Assessment

Written and/or oral examination.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.