EOSC 222 · Geological Time and Stratigraphy

Measuring geological time and understanding Earth history using stratigraphic principles, paleontology and radioactive decay. Please consult the Faculty of Science Credit Exclusion List. [2-2-0] Prerequisite: Second-year standing in Science. One of EOSC 1**, EOSC 210, GEOB 103 is recommended.

 Course Availability & Schedule

 Course Syllabus

Learning goals: 

1. Describe Earth history using stratigraphic principles, paleontology and radioactive decay. 2. Apply an understanding of sedimentary rocks and fossils in the interpretation of geological features. 3. Describe how the biosphere has adapted to exploit various environments over time.

Textbook

2009, Michael Benton and David Harper. An Introduction to Paleobiology and the Fossil Record

Course materials (lecture notes) and description available at the course web site.

To access please log onto CANVAS

Provisional Lecture Topics:
 

Module 1: Reading Geological Time
- Stratigraphic principles 
- Facies 
- Biostratigraphy and extinctions
- Geochronology
- Chemostratigraphy 
- Magnetostratigraphy
- Sequence Stratigraphy
Module 2: Paleontology
- Introduction to macropaleontology
- Bioherms (reef builders)
- Trilobites
- Graptolites
- Brachiopods
- Bivalves
- Cephalopods
- Micropaleontology

Lab Topics Include:

- Sedimentary processes and events
- Facies and biostratigraphy
- Time and Geochronology
- Fossilization and Taphonomy
- Sessile benthic organisms
- Paleozoic correlation and biostratigraphy
- Bivalves and Brachiopods
- Cephalopods
- Micropaleontology