Study Programmes 2015-2016
PALE0201-1  
Paleozoology
Duration :
30h Th, 30h Pr, 2d FW
Number of credits :
Bachelor in geology6
Lecturer :
Valentin Fischer
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 :
Palaeozoology illustrates the assembly of the animal tree of life and the evolution, sometimes hectic, of its major fossil lineages. This course provides an understanding of animal diversity - extinct as well as extant - and provides the necessary knowledge to recognize and determine most fossil animal lineages on the field. A special focus will be put on selected lineages, depending on the quality of their fossil record, including key transitions in the history of vertebrates.
  • Introduction. A brief history of the palaeontological science, fossilization, the arrangement of species in time and space, data sources and biases.
  • Origin of Animalia.
  • Evolutionary history major lineages of animals. Porifera, Cnidaria, Bryozoa, Brachiopoda, Mollusca, Arthropoda, Graptolitha, Echinodermata, and many lines or nested groups within Vertebrata (Gnathostomata, Tetrapoda, Reptilia, Archosauria, Synapsida, Mammalia, Primates).
Learning outcomes of the course :
  • Detailed knowledge of the evolutionary history and morphology of the main metazoan groups having an adequate fossil record.
  • Recognition and identification at low taxonomic rank of common Belgian fossils and at high taxonomic rank of all fossil groups (with a focus on invertebrates).
  • Understanding the evolutionary phenomena and the nature of fossil record (geological biases, influences of facies and factors inherent to organisms).
  • Detailed knowledge of the stratigraphic arrangement and associations of fossil fauna.
  • Notions of ecology and physiology to understand lifestyle and the preservation of the fossil groups addressed in the course.
Prerequisite knowledge and skills :
  • Fundamentals of geology (dating methods, stratigraphy, deposition and formation of sedimentary rocks)
  • Anatomy, phylogeny and physiology of extant metazoan lineages
Planned learning activities and teaching methods :
Two hours-lectures where active participation is required to fix the concepts of paleontology and understand the complexity of the evolution of metazoans.
Two hours-practicals focus on the morphology and identification of major fossil groups of invertebrates and some vertebrates and the illustration of the main evolutionary trends that have affected them. Particular emphasis is placed on fossils that are common inf Belgium and surrounding areas.
Field work (2x 8h) teaches the student to collect and identify fossils and analyze how fossils are integrated in  sedimentary deposits. Emphasis will also be placed on the trophic relationships between organisms in ancient ecosystems that are well preserved in Belgium.
Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning) :
Face-to-face.
The syllabus, all slides and practicals notes will be deposited online on MyULg and on the website of my research lab (http://eddylab.weebly.com).
Recommended or required readings :
Syllabus and practical notes.
Assessment methods and criteria :
Examination at the January session. It comprises:
  • An oral examination based on two broad questions on the theoretical courses and the field works. Account for 2/3 of the final grade.
  • A practical part, which consists of the argued determination, without any notes, of a series of fossils. The presentation of results takes place at the beginning of the examination. Account for 1/3 of the final grade.
Work placement(s) :
Organizational remarks :
Presence at praticals and field works in mandatory.
Contacts :
Dr. V. Fischer
Evolution and Diversity Dynamics Lab. 
Département de Géologie (B18). Quartier Agora, 14, allée du 6 Août, B-4000 Liège, Sart-Tilman.
04 366 52 79
v.fischer@ulg.ac.be
Items online :
Final syllabus
Syllabus