GEOSCIENCE

 

Taphonomy/Paleoecology - GEOS 417

SYLLABUS - Spring 2007

 

Description and Objectives

Taphos = Death, so taphonomy is the study of death, or more specifically, Taphonomy is the science that examines skeletal remains to determine such things as the cause of death, the environment in which the remains finally came to rest, and what happened to the remains in the sediment.

            The course is meant to be an introduction to Taphononmy and will explore vertebrate, invertebrate, and plant taphonomy, as well as both paleontological and archeological applications.  We will examine some of the recent literature, and there will be both laboratory exercises and a group project on the taphonomy of a fossil deposit.

 

Course Information

Instructor: Dr. Karl W. Leonard

Office: King 204

Lab: King 116

Phone: (218) 477-2682

e-mail: leonardk@mnstate.edu

url: http://web.mnstate.edu/leonard

office hours: MWF 1:00-3:00 pm, TTh 2:00-4:00 pm,  or whenever IÕm in my office

Textbooks: R. E. Martin,  1999, Taphonomy – A process approach (First Edition),  Cambridge Paleobiology Series 4.

Supplemental Textbook: R.L. Lyman, 1994, Vertebrate Taphonomy, Cambridge Manuals in Archeology

Class web page can be found on: http://web.mnstate.edu/leonard

A packet of papers will be available from the copy center in a week or so????

Building and Room #: King Hall 118

 

Grades and Exams

The total grade is calculated from a standard 100% scale. The grade will be determined from:

lecture quizzes (40%): There will be 2 lecture quizzes, each worth 15% of the lecture grade.  Students will take a comprehensive final exam worth 10% of the total grade.  No make-up exams will be offered.

In class discussion of assigned papers (15%): Students will moderate the discussion of assigned papers

in class exercises and discussions (25%):  Short exercise and discussion reports will comprise 5% of the grade, and lab activity reports will be worth 20% of the total grade.

Project and Presentation (20%): Students will work in groups on a short research project and present the results on the last several days of the course

 

Policies

Attendance:  Students are expected to attend all class meetings. 

Special Accommodations: Students with disabilities who believe they may need an accommodation in this class are encouraged to contact Greg Toutges, Coordinator of Disability Services at 477-5859 (Voice) or 1-800-627-3529 (MRS/TTY), CMU 114 as soon as possible to ensure that accommodations are implemented in a timely fashion.

Academic Honesty:  (See MSUM Student Absence Policy, Student Handbook: http://web.mnstate.edu/sthandbook/ under bookmark Student Policy Info).

Courtesy: Be courteous to your neighbors – limit chatting during lectures, and turn your !!$@$%%! CELL PHONES OFF!!

 

 

 

 

Lecture Schedule (Tentative)

Week                                        Topic                                                                Reading

1                                  T - Introduction and logistics                                             Martin Ch. 1

Jan. 9                            Th – What is Taphonomy

 

2                                  T – What is Taphonomy                                                   Martin Ch. 1

Jan. 16                          Th – Biostratinomy – Fluid and Sediment Movement                        Martin Ch. 2.1-2.2                                             

3                                  T – Biostratinomy – Invertebrates                                       Martin Ch. 2.3 – 2.7

Jan. 23                          Th – Paper Assignment and Discussion 1

 

4                                  T – Death and Vertebrates                                                 Lyman Ch. 5

Jan. 30                          Th – Biostratinomy – Vertebrates                                       Martin Ch. 2.8

 

5                                  T - Biostratinomy – Vertebrates                                         Martin Ch. 2.8

Feb. 6                           Th – Paper Assignment and Discussion 2

 

6                                  T-  Other Biostrat. Factors                                                            Lyman Ch. 9

Feb. 13                          Th – Exam 1 – Feb. 15th

 

7                                  T – Human Influences on Biostrat.                                     Lyman Ch 7 & 8

Feb. 20                          Th - Paper Assignment and Discussion 3

 

8                                  T- Bioturbation                                                               Martin Ch. 4

Feb. 27                          Th- Paper Assignment and Discussion 4

 

9                                  T – Diagenesis                                                                Martin Ch. 3

Mar. 6                           Th –  Diagenesis                                                             Lyman Ch. 11

 

                                    March 12-16 Spring Break

 

10                                 T – Time Averaging                                                         Martin Ch. 5

Mar. 20                         Th- Paper Assignment and Discussion 5

 

11                                 T – Paleoecology                                                             supplemental

Mar. 27                         Th - Paper Assignment and Discussion 6

 

12                                 T – Paleoecology                                                             supplemental

April 3                          Th – Paper Assignment and Discussion 7

 

13                                 T – No class

April 10                         Th- Exam 2 – Apr. 12th

 

14                                 T - Group Project

April 17                         Th - Group Project

 

15                                 T – Student Presentations

April 24                         Th - Student Presentations

 

16

May 1                           T – Student Presentations

 

Final Exam – Wednesday May 9th – noon