Vertebrate Paleontology And Evolution

ZOO 5115C; GLY 6932               Fall 2007

Instructors: 

Dr. Jonathan I. Bloch                                             Bruce J. MacFadden

Assistant Curator                                          Curator

222 Dicknson                                                         218 Dickinson

Phone: 2-1721, ext. 515                           Phone: 2-1721, ext. 496

Email  jbloch@flmnh.ufl.edu                               bmacfadd@flmnh.ufl.edu

 

Credits: 4

Lecture:  T/Th xx-xx am; TBD

Lab:  TBD (weekly)

Maximum enrollment: 10 students

Field trip:  Required day-long or weekend trip to northern FL vertebrate fossil localities, TBD

Office hours: By Appointment.

 

Synopsis of course content

This course is designed as a detailed overview of the fossil record of vertebrates, focusing on recent discoveries and current controversies and with an emphasis on Florida and the Neotropics.  A specimen-based lab and field trips are required parts of this course.

 

Grades will be assessed based on performance in the lecture, lab, field trip, and a research project as follows (out of 1000 total pts):

 

               I.      Lecture: (50% of grade)

Midterm exam:                Covers all course material covered in lectures (including assigned readings) up through [date] (200 pts)

Final exam:                This will cover all course material covered in Lectures (including assigned readings) from [date] through until end of course (200 pts)

Participation                Based on attendance and participation in discussions (100 pts)

 

             II.      Laboratory: (25% of grade)

Lab Practical I                Specimen-based exam to test knowledge of material covered in Labs. X-x (100 pts)

Lab Practical II                Specimen based exam to test knowledge material covered in Labs. X-x (100 pts)

Participation                Based on attendance and participation in discussions (50 pts)

 

           III.      Field Trip(s) (10% of Grade)

Participation                Based on attendance and participation in activities and discussions (100 pts)

 

           IV.      Research Project: (15% of grade):  Students will  choose a topic (and turn in an abstract) for their oral presentation by [date].

Oral Presentation:            A 12-minute talk designed to be given at a professional meeting (e.g., GSA or SVP).  For graduate students, presentation of original research is strongly encouraged.  An in-depth summary and analysis of the literature for a future research project may also be accepted (with instructor’s approval).  Please speak to one of us before [date] about a research topic (150 pts).

 

EXTRA CREDIT (OPTIONAL): A paper presenting the results of the above research topic.  For graduate students, this should be written in the format of a journal (e.g., Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology).  The idea is to provide you with the basis for a paper to be submitted to a peer-reviewed journal.

 

Lecture Textbook:  Vertebrate Paleontology (2005), By Michael J. Benton (Blackwell Publishing).  Other readings (articles from primary literature and book chapters) will also be required and made available, as needed.