Paleontology is indissolubly integrated with the Geological and the Natural Sciences and is a fundamental discipline for dating rocks (biostratigraphy), for reconstructing ancient environments (paleoecology, paleobiogeography, paleoclimatology, paleoceanography) and for interpreting the historical dynamics in recent environments. The course is designed to:

1) provide a thorough knowledge of the history of life on Earth in relation to the dynamics of our planet;

2) integrate paleoenvironmental information, paleoecology, paleoclimate and paleoceanographic with those of the history of life on Earth;

3) present the evolution of our planet in relation to the evolution of life and vice versa;

4) document the fossilization processes, paleobiogeography, stratigraphy and biostratigraphy;

5) provide an overview of the main fossil groups.

Introduction to Paleontology

Definition, meaning, concepts, objectives and applications of Paleontology.

Origin of fossil and history of Paleontology.

Fossil and taphonomy. Lagerstatten.

Concept of species, taxonomy and phylogeny.

Evolution and speciation: microevolution and macroevolution.

Fossil and evolution: origin and evolution of life.

Paleoecology. Ecology and environmental factors.

Fossil applied to paleoenvironmental reconstructions, paleoecology, paleoclimate and paleoceanographic.

Paleoichnology.

Paleobiogeography.

Stratigraphy and biostratigraphy.

Archives. Proxies.

Extinctions and radiation. Paleontological methods: field and laboratory.

Evolutionary history of life, Paleobiogeography, Paleogeography, Paleoclimate, Biota, and Extinction: Precambrian, Cambrian, Ordovician, Silurian, Devonian, Carboniferous, Permian, Triassic, Jurassic, Cretaceous, Paleogene, Neogene, Quaternary and Holocene.

Knowledge and understanding. At the end of the course, the student must have gained the fundamental knowledge in the field of Paleontology, Biostratigraphy, and Paleoecology. The student would also master the ability to recognize the main fossil groups and the fossilization processes and to integrate paleoenvironmental, paleoecological, paleoclimatic and paleoceanographic information with those of the history of Life on Earth. These skills will be evaluated through a written test.

Applying knowledge and understanding. The student must correctly use paleontological and paleoecological specific terminology. In particular, the student must know the methodologies for the study of fossils in both the biostratigraphic and paleoenvironmental fields. These skills will be assessed through a written test.

Making judgements. The student must describe in a causal way the different phases of the of life history on Earth and the relationships with it as well as the fossilization processes. These skills will be verified with the written test.

Communication skills. The student would be able to describe and synthesize the biota of the Earth during a geological period with a presentation.

Learning skills. The student must build the own path of scientific growth in the paleontological field in a critical and autonomous way, being able to use the gained knowledge. These abilities, as far as possible, will be stimulated by the lecturer.

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 exercises. Possibly visits to museums and research centers.

Teaching

The course will take place through a continuous interaction between lectures, field and laboratory exercises.

Attendance

No obligations.

Course books

1) S. Raffi & E. Serpagli, 1993, Introduzione alla Paleontologia, UTET;

2) Società Paleontologica Italiana, 2020. Manuale di Paleontologia. Fondamenti – Applicazioni. Edizioni Idelson Gnocchi.

3) G. Barsotti, M. Gnoli & A. Guerrini, 2015, Storia naturale del pianeta Terra, vol. 1 - Paleontologia generale, vol. 2 – Evoluzione della vita, Pacini Editore.

4) Course materials also include PowerPoint presentations and reference books in specific topics as addressed during the course.

Additional 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;; 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.

Assessment

The assessment consists of a written exam with ten open questions including comments on graphs and figures. This method of examination is chosen as it allows to adequately verify the preparation of the student. Evaluation criteria are: knowledge of paleontological and paleoecological concepts, level of accuracy and specificity of the answer, and master of a technical language. Each criterion is evaluated on a 3-level scale. The duration of the exam is 2 hours. The exam involves an evaluation that is expressed as a grade of out of 30.

Disabilità e DSA

Le studentesse e gli studenti che hanno registrato la certificazione di disabilità o la certificazione di DSA presso l'Ufficio Inclusione e diritto allo studio, possono chiedere di utilizzare le mappe concettuali (per parole chiave) durante la prova di esame.

A tal fine, è necessario inviare le mappe, due settimane prima dell’appello di esame, alla o al docente del corso, che ne verificherà la coerenza con le indicazioni delle linee guida di ateneo e potrà chiederne la modifica.

Teaching

Non-attending students are invited to contact the lecturer for information about the program.

Attendance

No obligations.

Course books

1) S. Raffi & E. Serpagli, 1993, Introduzione alla Paleontologia, UTET;

2) Società Paleontologica Italiana, 20202. Manuale di Paleontologia. Fondamenti – Applicazioni. Edizioni Idelson Gnocchi.

3) G. Barsotti, M. Gnoli & A. Guerrini, 2015, Storia naturale del pianeta Terra, vol. 1 - Paleontologia generale, vol. 2 – Evoluzione della vita, Pacini Editore.

4) Course materials also include PowerPoint presentations and reference books in specific topics as addressed during the course.

Additional 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;; 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.

Assessment

The assessment consists of a written exam with ten open questions including comments on graphs and figures. This method of examination is chosen as it allows to adequately verify the preparation of the student. Evaluation criteria are: knowledge of paleontological and paleoecological concepts, level of accuracy and specificity of the answer, and master of a technical language. Each criterion is evaluated on a 3-level scale. The duration of the exam is 2 hours. The exam involves an evaluation that is expressed as a grade of out of 30.

Disabilità e DSA

Le studentesse e gli studenti che hanno registrato la certificazione di disabilità o la certificazione di DSA presso l'Ufficio Inclusione e diritto allo studio, possono chiedere di utilizzare le mappe concettuali (per parole chiave) durante la prova di esame.

A tal fine, è necessario inviare le mappe, due settimane prima dell’appello di esame, alla o al docente del corso, che ne verificherà la coerenza con le indicazioni delle linee guida di ateneo e potrà chiederne la modifica.