GLG 220 - Paleontology

Paleontology is the study of the history of life on Earth. The remains of simple life forms are found in rocks as old as 3.4 billion years. Layered sedimentary rocks, deposited over the past 700 million years, contain an abundance of fossil remains of complex life forms from which plants and animals have descended. What we know of the evolutionary patterns of plants and animals comes from the study of these fossils. Biostratigraphy, the study of the special distribution and temporal relationships of fossils and fossil bearing rocks is an important component of geology. Laboratory and field activities supplement lecture with practical experience in the identification of fossil species and application of paleontological techniques. Prospective teachers, geologists, biologists and anyone interested in fossils and the history of life may find this course to be of interest.
Prerequisite(s): None (GLG 101 and GLG 102 is recommended)
4 credits plus 1 contact hour = 3 lecture, 2 laboratory