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EARTH 444 - Analytical Paleobiology
Section: 001
Term: FA 2017
Subject: Earth and Environmental Sciences (EARTH)
Department: LSA Earth & Environmental Sciences
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CourseProfile (ART)

Details

Credits:
4
Requirements & Distribution:
BS
Advisory Prerequisites:
Completion of an introductory paleontology course such as EARTH 418, or evolutionary biology such as EEB 390.
BS:
This course counts toward the 60 credits of math/science required for a Bachelor of Science degree.
Repeatability:
May not be repeated for credit.
Rackham Information:
Rackham credit requires additional work.
Primary Instructor:
Friedman,Matt
Instructor:
Wilson,Jeffrey A

Description

This course emphasizes the variety of analytical tools that can be applied to asking evolutionary and ecological questions using paleontological and other data. Topics include—but are not limited to—theory and practice of phylogenetic inference, divergence-time estimation using both molecular and morphological data, fossil record bias, multivariate ordination, biomechanics, morphometrics, and ‘virtual morphology’.

The primary goal of this course is to introduce the foundations of key methods as well as provide hands-on experience with user-friendly approaches to applying them to real data. The course is appropriate for advanced undergraduates with a background in earth and environmental science, ecology and evolutionary biology, or anthropology, and to beginning graduate students planning to examine biological or paleontological patterns over broad spatiotemporal scales.

This course will provide undergraduates with important background for pursuing independent study or graduate work, and will provide graduates with basic tools necessary to begin their research. It is expected that everyone successfully completing the course will develop an ability to identify appropriate approaches and tools for studying a variety of paleobiological and macroevolutionary questions. This goal will be achieved through a combination of lectures on the theoretical underpinnings of various approaches, practical instruction in applying them, and direct experience in their use in lab sessions.

Course Requirements:

Grading will be based on active participation in the course, weekly laboratory exercises, and a final independent project associated with a presentation delivered to the class. No quizzes or exams are given.

Intended Audience:

The course is appropriate for advanced undergraduates with a background in earth and environmental science, ecology and evolutionary biology, or anthropology, and to beginning graduate students planning to examine biological or paleontological patterns over broad spatiotemporal scales.

Class Format:

Five hours per week of lecture/demonstration and lab.

Schedule

EARTH 444 - Analytical Paleobiology
Schedule Listing
001 (LEC)
 
30897
Open
13
 
-
MW 10:00AM - 11:30AM1532RUTHVEN
002 (LAB)
P
30899
Open
13
 
-
F 9:00AM - 12:00PM1532RUTHVEN

Textbooks/Other Materials

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Syllabi

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CourseProfile (ART)