ID:
510881
Duration (hours):
58
CFU:
6
SSD:
PALEONTOLOGIA E PALEOECOLOGIA
Year:
2025
Overview
Date/time interval
Secondo Semestre (02/03/2026 - 12/06/2026)
Syllabus
Course Objectives
The teaching aims to provide the student with the basic principles of paleontology and in particular the understanding of the scientific meaning of fossils and their use in the earth sciences. The student's attention is drawn to how Paleontology is a bridge between biology and geology and how, through the stratigraphic and paleoenvironmental meaning of fossils, it can contribute to the interpretation of stratigraphic successions aimed at reconstructing the evolution of planet Earth.
The skills necessary for the recognition and determination of fossil invertebrates with a high biostratigraphic significance are also provided. Moreover, main groups of fossil Protists and of the main organogenic rocks, with particular attention to the role played by the
organisms in their genesis, are provided.
The skills necessary for the recognition and determination of fossil invertebrates with a high biostratigraphic significance are also provided. Moreover, main groups of fossil Protists and of the main organogenic rocks, with particular attention to the role played by the
organisms in their genesis, are provided.
Course Prerequisites
The Paleontology teaching requires the attendance of the course named "Introduction to geology" and therefore the knowledge of the basics of geology. In particular, the definition of rock, sedimentary rocks, the lithogenetic cycle, the concept of mineral and the knowledge of the minerals that make up the mineralized parts of organisms. The concepts of absolute geological time and relative geological time.
Teaching Methods
The course consists of lectures, laboratory exercises and field trips. Students are required to prepare a power point for groups which is presented by them during the last lesson on paleontological topics. In addition to the knowledge of the general part of the course, which deals with the general concepts and the methodological approach, much emphasis is placed on practical exercises aimed at acquiring empirical observation skills, identifying the main morphological characteristics and their interpretation through the determination of the fossil.
For students included in the categories relating to inclusive teaching, please contact the teacher to obtain the recordings of exercises.
For students included in the categories relating to inclusive teaching, please contact the teacher to obtain the recordings of exercises.
Assessment Methods
The examination is oral and consists of 5 basic questions. The first requires the student to illustrate a topic
chosen in order to verify its ability to hearing. The others enter into the basic knowledge of paleontology and
their application to the earth sciences. For the preparation of the examination, a substantial individual study is needed to determine the samples of fossils and organogenic rocks to be carried out at the Paleontology Laboratory (Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences - Via Ferrata 1, open every day from 14.00 to 16.00). The description and determination of these samples is an indispensable requirement for passing the exam.
chosen in order to verify its ability to hearing. The others enter into the basic knowledge of paleontology and
their application to the earth sciences. For the preparation of the examination, a substantial individual study is needed to determine the samples of fossils and organogenic rocks to be carried out at the Paleontology Laboratory (Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences - Via Ferrata 1, open every day from 14.00 to 16.00). The description and determination of these samples is an indispensable requirement for passing the exam.
Texts
Autori Vari (2020) –
Paleontologia - Fondamenti e Applicazioni. Ed. Società Paleontologica Italiana, Idelson-Gnocchi
Paleontologia - Fondamenti e Applicazioni. Ed. Società Paleontologica Italiana, Idelson-Gnocchi
Contents
Definition of paleontology and fossils; metodological concepts; the chronological context: relative and absolute
chronology. Taphonomical processes. Meanings of the fossils record and their use in the earth sciences through
basic principles of paleoecology and stratigraphy. Taxonomic hierarchy; the biological and the paleontological
concepts of species; the origin of species. Origin and major evolutionary events in the life history. Systematic
paleontology: invertebrate phyla, basics on Protista and vertebrates. Classification of the main biogenic rocks.
Laboratory practice on fossil and biogenic rock samples, a field trip and a visit to a natural history museum
complete the course.
chronology. Taphonomical processes. Meanings of the fossils record and their use in the earth sciences through
basic principles of paleoecology and stratigraphy. Taxonomic hierarchy; the biological and the paleontological
concepts of species; the origin of species. Origin and major evolutionary events in the life history. Systematic
paleontology: invertebrate phyla, basics on Protista and vertebrates. Classification of the main biogenic rocks.
Laboratory practice on fossil and biogenic rock samples, a field trip and a visit to a natural history museum
complete the course.
Course Language
Italian
More information
The course involves a part of study applied to the analysis of fossil samples. At the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, open from 2.00 pm to 4.00 pm, is located a Paleontology and Stratigraphy Laboratory where students can analyze the fossils to prepare examination.
Degrees
Degrees
GEOLOGICAL SCIENCES
Bachelor’s Degree
3 years
No Results Found