00757 - Paleontology

Learning outcomes

This course aims to provide to all students in-depth knowledge and critical skills of basic concepts of paleontology, including paleobiology, paleoecology, paleobiogeography, biostratigraphy and taxonomy (applied primarily to invertebrates). The student will develop skills to independently: - Collect, describe and identify paleontological samples; - Discuss the taxonomic status of a paleontological sample; - Apply biostratigraphic and stratigraphic analyses; - Interpret and apply biostratigraphic, paleoecological and paleobiogeographic datasets.

Course contents

The course (Prof. Fanti) will address the basic concepts and methodologies of Paleontology.

In particular, we will discuss the following topics: the role of paleontology in the geological and biological sciences; fossils as witnesses of time and space; taphonomy and the fossil record; taxonomy, morphology and function; biostratigraphy; macroevolution; mass extinctions; fossils and paleoenvironments; paleoychnology

The course includes a laboratory credits (Prof. Vaiani) in micropaleontology focusin on main groups of microfossils: Foraminifera, Radiolarians, Diatoms, Ostracods, Pteropods, Nannofossils and Tintinnids. The laboratories provide microscope exercises aimed at studying these organisms.

Students are requested to attend laboratory activities in presron.

Readings/Bibliography

Raffi, S., Serpagli, E. 1993. Introduzione alla Paleontologia. UTET

Società Paleontologica Italiana 2020. Manuale di Paleontologia. Fondamenti. Applicazioni. Idelson-Gnocchi.

Benton, M., Harper, D. 2020. Introduction to Paleobiology and the Fossil Record. Wiley-Blackwell

Allasinaz, A. 1999. Invertebrati fossili. UTET.

Teaching methods

Students are requested to attend all classes in person.

It is mandatory to attend laboratories in person.

Assessment methods

Oral  test

Micropaleontology laboratory: practical test with the microscope in the laboratory. During the test, the student will have to write a short report in describing and identifying two micropaleontological samples also  provinding stratigraphic and paleoenvironmental information. Passing the test will be taken into consideration during the final evaluation of the student. In the event that the test is not passed or has not been performed, the micropaleontology part will be subject to oral verification and evaluation during the final exam.

Office hours

See the website of Federico Fanti

See the website of Stefano Claudio Vaiani