Duration
30h Th, 30h Pr, 2d FW
Number of credits
| Bachelor in geology | 5 crédits |
Lecturer
Language(s) of instruction
French language
Organisation and examination
Teaching in the first semester, review in January
Schedule
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Learning unit 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 fossil animal lineages on the field. A special focus will be put on selected lineages, depending on the quality of their fossil record, including the evolution of reefal organisms and 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 invertebrate animals. Porifera, Cnidaria, Bryozoa, Brachiopoda, Mollusca, Arthropoda, Graptolitha, Echinodermata
- Evolution and major transitions among vertebrates (Gnathostomata, Tetrapoda, Reptilia, Archosauria, Synapsida, Mammalia, Primates).
Learning outcomes of the learning unit
- 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 Wallonian 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 et phylogeny of extant metazoan lineages
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
The course follows an inverted class model, where students work on the chapters by themselves during one of the course session (or at another time); the other session (2 hours) is used to discuss concepts and difficults parts of the course.
The 3h practical session 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 (2 x 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, hybrid learning)
Face-to-face, inverted class, lecture delivered in French.
The syllabus, all slides and practicals notes will be deposited online on MyULg.
Online resources, such as 3D models of fossils: https://sketchfab.com/eddylab
Organisational adjustments related to the current health context
See French version.
Recommended or required readings
Syllabus and practical notes.
Assessment methods and criteria
Below you will find information on the evaluation methods planned for in-person and remote exams as well as those planned for hybrid sessions. Depending on how the health crisis evolves, the chosen method will be communicated to you no later than one month before the start of the exam session.
Examination during the January exam session. It comprises:
- An oral examination based on two broad questions on the theoretical courses and the field works. Accounts for 2/3 of the final grade.
- A practical part, oral as well, which consists of the argued determination, without any notes, of a series of fossils (5, generally). Accounts for 1/3 of the final grade.
Work placement(s)
Organizational remarks
Attendance at praticals and field trips in mandatory.
Contacts
Prof. Valentin 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@uliege.be