CSM1044 | 2020 | University of Exeter

MODULE TITLE	Earth History and Palaeontology	CREDIT VALUE	15
MODULE CODE	CSM1044	MODULE CONVENER	Unknown

DURATION: TERM	1	2	3
DURATION: WEEKS	0	11	0

Number of Students Taking Module (anticipated)	40

DESCRIPTION - summary of the module content

Every geologist should know about Earth’s history, and in this module you will learn why an understanding of stratigraphical and palaeontological principles is central to achieving this goal. You will start by examining the stratigraphic toolbox available to geologists and how you can apply it to understand geological events in the past, including the origins of life on Earth and its evolution through time. You will then be introduced to the key fossil groups and how we can use their co-occurrence in rocks to date the geological record, to determine past environmental conditions and to improve our understanding of a range of fascinating subject matters including Snowball Earth, mass extinctions and the palaeoecology of ancient animal communities.

AIMS - intentions of the module

The aim of this module is to introduce students to Earth history, the evolution of life on Earth and the principles of stratigraphy, and the application of both stratigraphy and palaeontology in geoscience.

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES (ILOs) (see assessment section below for how ILOs will be assessed)

On successful completion of this module, you should be able to:

Module Specific Skills and Knowledge:

1. to gain an understanding of the principles of (a) lithostratigraphy, (b) biostratigraphy, (c) chronostratigraphy, (d) geochronology, (e) isotope-stratigraphy, (f) magnetostratigraphy, (g) event stratigraphy and (h) cyclostratigraphy using relevant case studies from the rock record.

2. to be able to describe and identify a range of both body and trace fossils, and their preservation, in hand specimens/outcrop

3. describe and explain of the evolution of life on Earth, and Earth history, using stratigraphic evidence from the rock record.

4. estimate the relative and absolute age of a stratigraphic section using lithostratigraphy, biostratigraphy, geochronology.

5. determine environment of deposition using a rock’s fossil assemblage.

6. generate a spliced record and define mappable formations using the principles of lithostratigraphy.

Personal and Key Transferable/ Employment Skills and Knowledge:

7. with guidance, begin to develop the skills for independent study.

8. with guidance, select and properly manage information drawn from lectures, books, journals and the internet.

9. with guidance, communicate ideas effectively by written, oral and visual means.

10. demonstrate observational skills.

11. evaluate data.

12. synthesize a range of data.

13. demonstrate an ability to solve problems.

14. demonstrate time-management skills.

15. research literature on a topic.

16. work collaboratively with members of peer group.

17. make a simple presentation using MS PowerPoint.

SYLLABUS PLAN - summary of the structure and academic content of the module

The two strands (stratigraphy and palaeontology) of this module run concurrently. Stratigraphic principles are taught during Lecture 1(week 1). Relevant case studies from the rock record (and in particular, from UK sections) based on the application of these stratigraphic techniques, are then used during Lectures 2-8 to provide the students with an introduction to Earth history and the history of life. Concurrently, the practical sessions are used to teach palaeontology from the perspective of its useful application in the geosciences: fossil preservation, taphonomy, palaeoecology, palaeoclimatology, biostratigraphy, splice generation and major Phanerozoic macrofossils, microfossils, and tracefossils in the context of the history of life and environments of deposition. Each practical begins with an introductory lecture, followed by a series of practical tasks during which regular formative feedback is provided.

LEARNING AND TEACHING

LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS (given in hours of study time)

Scheduled Learning & Teaching Activities	42	Guided Independent Study	108	Placement / Study Abroad	0

DETAILS OF LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS

Category	Hours of study time	Description
Scheduled learning and teaching activities	16 hours	Lectures
Scheduled learning and teaching activities	16 hours	Practical classes
Scheduled learning and teaching activities	10 hours	In-classs preparation and delivery of group presentations
Guided independent study	108 hours	Contact time preparation and wider reading

ASSESSMENT

FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT - for feedback and development purposes; does not count towards module grade

Form of Assessment	Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length)	ILOs Assessed	Feedback Method
Practical model answers	Each week	1-2, 4-6, 8, 10-15	Verbal summary/group discussion during final 30 minutes of practicals plus model answers posted on ELE. Principles covered in lectures reinforced in practicals
Small group/one-to-one tutorial sessions	Throughout Term	1-17	Offered to students by module convenor throughout the term

SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT (% of credit)

Coursework	40	Written Exams	60	Practical Exams	0

DETAILS OF SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT

Form of Assessment	% of Credit	Size of Assessment (e.g.	ILOs Assessed	Feedback Method
Theory Examination	60	1.5 hours	1-15	Generalised, anonymised comments on questions set via ELE/tutor feedback
x3 ELE-based quizzes quizzes with a mixture of multiple choice and free-form-answer questions completed in own time on content learned inthe practicals	20	30 minutes each	1-2, 4-6, 8, 10-15	Group feedback posted on ELE
Individual presentation on a stratigraphic and/or palaeontological topic to peer group	20	10 minutes per presentation	1-17	Presentation score and feedback given on proforma mark sheet.

DETAILS OF RE-ASSESSMENT (where required by referral or deferral)

Original Form of Assessment	Form of Re-assessment	ILOs Re-assessed	Time Scale for Re-reassessment
Summative assessment	Additional assessment	All above	August Ref/Def period
Examination	Additional exam	All above	August Ref/Def period

RE-ASSESSMENT NOTES

As above 1 piece of CW 40% and/or 1 Exam 60%

RESOURCES

INDICATIVE LEARNING RESOURCES - The following list is offered as an indication of the type & level of
information that you are expected to consult. Further guidance will be provided by the Module Convener

Basic reading:

Web based and electronic resources:

ELE CSM1044 (http://vle.exeter.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=491), with extensive notes for lectures, extra resources, links to further web-based resources and textbook reading, in addition to recommended key text books (as listed below)

Reading list for this module:

Type	Author	Title	Edition	Publisher	Year	ISBN
Set	Nichols, G	Sedimentology and Stratigraphy	2nd	Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell	2009	9781405193795
Set	Milsom, C., & Rigby, S.	Fossils at a glance	2nd	Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell	2010	9781405193368

CREDIT VALUE	15	ECTS VALUE	7.5

PRE-REQUISITE MODULES	CSM1030
CO-REQUISITE MODULES

NQF LEVEL (FHEQ)	4	AVAILABLE AS DISTANCE LEARNING	No
ORIGIN DATE	Thursday 6th July 2017	LAST REVISION DATE	Thursday 26th August 2021

KEY WORDS SEARCH	Stratigraphy; palaeontology; fossils.

Earth History and Palaeontology - 2020 entry