BIO 311 Paleontology

The study of fossils as applied in both geology and biology. Under most conditions sedimentary rocks, which contain the most information about geological history, can only be dated by the use of fossils. They provide a direct record of how life has evolved and the kinds of environments these organisms lived in. Topics include how fossils are formed, biostratigraphy, evolution, paleogeography and paleoecology. Two and a half hours of lecture and two hours of laboratory per week plus several field trips. An organism-level course. Cross registered with ESC 311. Prerequisite: BIO 191. Alternate Spring.