At the end of this course, you should have a clear understanding of the modes of occurrence of fossils in the field, and be able to identify any well preserved invertebrate fossil to class level without reference works and to genus level with appropriate reference works. Most importantly, you should have an understanding of the principles of paleontology, and how fossils are used to recreate past environments and determine the history of life on Earth. At each locality, we will make observations and take a group fossil collection which will form the backbone of a real-life exercise in paleontology. These collections will be studied throughout the year as we work through the major fossil groups in the labs. Fossils are abundant at most stops and are critical to the interpretation of the environments and the age.
Students are responsible for the cost of their own food and accommodation.