GEOL0305-2 : Paleoecology

Study Programmes 2015-2016

GEOL0305-2

Paleoecology

Duration :

20h Th, 1d FW

Number of credits :

Master in geology (120 ECTS)		3
Master in geology (60 ECTS)		3

Lecturer :

N...

Language(s) of instruction :

French language

Organisation and examination :

Teaching in the first semester, review in January

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite :

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Course contents :

The course of palaeoecology complements those of palaeontology and evolution of the biosphere. It mainly focuses on the palaeoecological approach aiming to determine the characteristics of the palaeoecosystems and palaeoenvironments through the study of rocks and fossils, in order to specify the palaeoecology and lifestyle of the latter.

Learning outcomes of the course :

Contents

First part (palaeoecological approach) : the basis of ecology, biocoenoses and taphocoenoses, physico-chemical characteristics of the biotopes, biosphere-geosphere interactions, traces of animal activities and their taphonomical consequences.

Second part : study of some exceptional and unexceptional fossiliferous deposits in continental and marine environments at different geological epochs.

Prerequisite knowledge and skills :

Geology and palaeontology courses.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods :

Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning) :

Theoretical courses (20h) also including practical works.

One day of fieldwork will be devoted to the study of some particular cases in order to illustrate the concepts presented during the theoretical courses.