Students will learn the fundamental processes of how and what we know about the fossil record, with a special focus on dinosaurs. Topics include fossilization, fossil collection/curation, morphological analysis, organismal evolution, paleoecology, protection of fossils, speciation, stratigraphy, and taphonomy. Students learn how paleontological research determines the ages, behaviour, breeding, life cycles, physiology, sexes and other aspects of the biology of dinosaurs and other extinct animals. This course will be delivered entirely on-line. Prerequisites: Biology 30 or equivalent, or any 100-level course in the Faculty of Science. Note: Students who have obtained credit for PALEO 201 cannot take PALEO 200 for credit.
Fall Term 2021For students who want a deeper understanding of the fossil record, this course will augment the topics of PALEO 200 (fossilization, fossil collection/curation, morphological analysis, organismal evolution, paleoecology, protection of fossils, speciation, stratigraphy, and taphonomy) with field trips to regional museums and dig sites. Students will also learn how paleontological research determines the ages, behaviour, breeding, life cycles, physiology, sexes and other aspects of the biology of dinosaurs and other extinct animals. A portion of this course will be delivered on-line. Prerequisites: Biology 30 or equivalent, or any 100-level course in the Faculty of Science. Note: Students who have obtained credit for PALEO 200 cannot take PALEO 201 for credit.
Fall Term 2021 Winter Term 2022This course encompasses the origin of vertebrates within chordates and explores the diversity of Palaeozoic lineages within a phylogenetic and evolutionary framework. It will examine the evolution of major vertebrate novelties including the origin of fins, jaws and tetrapod limbs, highlighting key Canadian fossil localities. This course will be delivered entirely online. Course materials and activities include video segments, course notes, and learning and evaluation activities. Prerequisites: PALEO 200 or PALEO 201 or BIOL 108.
Winter Term 2022This course explores the evolutionary changes that occur when air-breathing terrestrial animals return to water. It will examine the diversity, adaptations, convergence and phylogenetic relationships of three major groups of extinct marine reptiles-the ichythyosaurs, plesiosaurs, and mosasaurs-in addition to some lesser-known groups. Emphasis will be placed on the fossils and fossil localities of Western Canada. This course will be delivered entirely on-line. Course materials and activities include video segments, course notes, and learning and evaluation activities. Prerequisites: PALEO 200 or PALEO 201 or BIOL 108.
Winter Term 2022This course examines the anatomy, diversity, and evolution of theropod dinosaurs in relation to the origin of birds. Particular attention will be paid to the anatomical characters shared by theropods and birds that enabled birds to evolve powered flight. Various hypotheses for the origin of flight will be discussed. Recent discoveries of relevant fossils from Canada will be highlighted. This course will be delivered entirely online. Course materials and activities include video segments, course notes, and learning and evaluation activities. Prerequisites: PALEO 200 or PALEO 201 or BIOL 108.
Winter Term 2022