The course will not so much focus on the answers as it will raise the questions and acknowledge the tensions. A variety of source materials will be used, especially the Internet. Students should have some knowledge of navigating the World Wide Web since this class is NOT designed to provide basic skills for using the Internet. Students may register for only one competence. See also website .
Paleontology is the study of fossils which are the remains and traces of past living things.
This course will examine how fossils can be used to decipher ancient patterns of development and change within earth's physical and biological systems, how biodiversity patterns for fossil groups compare to living groups, and how the anatomy of plant, invertebrate, and vertebrate fossil groups evolved in both form and function. This course is offered via the Internet and makes use of the exciting and growing graphical resources available there on paleontology topics. Students will be introduced to major paleontology principles and issues through readings, links to multimedia resources on the Web, structured chat-room discussions, virtual labs and simulations, fossil specimen kits, a fieldtrip to a natural history museum or fossil site, and original inquiry into a current topic in paleontology. Assessment of student learning will be based on participation in course activities, lab and simulation reports, an essay exam on course readings, and development of a detailed research paper on a current issue in paleontology. The research paper will follow a scientific journal format and will employ scientific reasoning.