School of Physical and Geographical Sciences  
 
 
ESC-40023 MGeoscience: Micropalaeontology: Princp and Apps  
Co-ordinator: Dr Michael Montenari    Room: WSF10A, Tel:33162  
Teaching Team: Mr David  Emley, Mrs Stephanie  Everill, Mrs Emma  Harvey, Mrs Karen  Babb, Ms Clare  Sillitto  
Lecture Time: See Timetable...  
Level: 4 Credits: 15 Study Hours: 150  
School Office:
 
 
 
Programme/Approved Electives for
None
Available as a Free Standing Elective
No
Prerequisites
Option module for all MGeoscience students who have been allowed to progress to the final year (i.e. year 4) of the course.
Barred Combinations
Not available to those students who have taken module ESC-30025 Micropalaeontology: Principles and Applications
Description

This course involves the study of major microfossil groups, their palaeogeographical, palaeoecological and biostratigraphical potential. An overview of the most important palaeoecological processes is presented. An introduction to state-of-the art Electron microscopic techniques (Fe-SEM and TEM) is included within this module.
Aims
The aim of the micropalaeontology module is to provide students with the key theoretical and practical issues of micropalaeontology and furthermore to introduce them to modern analytical facilities and methods (eg Electron Microscopy, statistical palaeontological data analysis).
Intended Learning Outcomes
  • To be able to demonstrate a systematic knowledge and critical understanding of: major micro- and macroevolutionary processes; processes controlling complex interacting palaeo-ecosystems (marine, terrestrial, lacustrine); palaeo-biogeography (provincialism) of the major microfossil groups.
  • To develop subject-specific skills in the identification (taxonomy and nomenclature) and the biostratigraphical analysis of the major microfossil groups.
  • To further develop skills in the acquisition of quantitative scientific data and their subsequent analysis in terms of palaeo-ecological interpretations.
  • Students should be able to: process, analyse and critically evaluate quantitative, micropalaeontological data; apply bio-mathematic and bio-statistical methods to quantitative-stratigraphical and palaeobiological problems.
  • Gain familiarity with the physical theories and the application of modern analytical methods, which are at the forefront of the subject, including: Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM).
Study hours
  • 20 hours lectures
  • 30 hours practical classes
  • 20 hours field exercise and laboratory work
  • 30 hours of practical work completion outside practical classes
  • 50 hours of independent study, revision and assessment
Description of Module Assessment
001: Practical Assessment weighted 40%
Practical based exercises. MGeoscience students will be set an additional 500 word report to complete on microfossil gp
002: Practical Assessment weighted 20%
2 days field exercise and laboratory work
003: 2 Hour Unseen Exam weighted 40%
2 hour unseen exam. Students will answer questions from 3 sections, with 2 containing short answers and 1 essay type
Version: (1.06B) Updated: 03/Mar/2013

This document is the definitive current source of information about this module and supersedes any other information.