Learning Outcomes:
At the end of the module you will have gained the following:
An introduction to the geological record and anatomy of key groups (plants, sponges, corals, molluscs, brachiopods echinoderms, arthropods, hemichordates and chordates)
An understanding of the evolutionary inter-relationships of different animal groups
An awareness of how fossil data can be used to reconstruct the broad patterns of life on Earth through time, including the evolution of marine and terrestrial ecosystems.
An insights into both the products and processes of evolution provided by the fossil record
A recognition of how complex the inter-relationship between the geosphere and biosphere is and how they have co-evolved through geological time.
Indicative Module Content:
The module is in two parts: (a) an introduction to the palaeobiology of key invertebrate groups; the chordates; and, plants. (b) a more extended study of key intervals in geological time, including the early evolution of animal ecosystems; conquest of the land; rise of the reptiles; evolution of the modern biosphere.