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| Unit name |
Evolution of the Biosphere |
| Unit code |
EASC30008 |
| Credit points |
10 |
| Level of study |
H/6
|
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1B (weeks 7 - 12)
|
| Unit director |
Professor. Mike Benton |
| Open unit status |
Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
Successful completion of years 1 and 2 of either the Environmental Geoscience or the Geology degree programme curriculum.
|
| Co-requisites |
n/a
|
| School/department |
School of Earth Sciences |
| Faculty |
Faculty of Science |
Description including Unit Aims
This unit provides an overview of different aspects of the history of the earth. It is an interdisciplinary unit, drawing material from palaeoceanography, geomicrobiology, stratigraphy, sedimentology and palaeontology. The unit coveres long-term patterns in the evolution of oceans and atmospheres, the history of climate and environmental change on long time scales, but also through the past million years. A clear focus is given to current debates and the evidence on either side of debated issues, so students can read widely in the current literature and understand the nature of different kinds of evidence and their meaning. Clear links are made to current environmental crises.
The main aims are:
- to understand changing views on the history of the biosphere
- to summarise current methods of dating and sequencing rocks
- to appreciate the strengths and weaknesses of the rock and fossil records
- to consider different models for the diversification of life
- to understand the contributions of palaeontological data to modern evolutionary theory
- to evaluate the role of catastrophes in earth history
Intended Learning Outcomes
On completion, you should be able to:
- discuss the principles of stratigraphic practice, dating and correlation
- debate the principles of uniformitarianism and catastrophism, and the currently understood role of catastrophic events in earth history
- document the major stages in the history iof life and of the Earth, and present models for diversification of life
- list some of the major mass extinction events, and how they are studied
- deduce links from longer-term processes to current human-induced crises on the earth
- debate evidence for and against gaps in the rock and fossil records
Teaching Information
Lectures
Assessment Information
This unit will be assessed entirely by an examination (100%).
Reading and References
There is no single recommended text for the course. Students should refer to the following for background information on most of the topics covered:
- Benton, M.J. and Harper, D.A.T., (2009) Introduction to Paleobiology & the Fossil Record, Wiley-Blackwell;
- Briggs, D. E. G. and Crowther, P. R., (2001) Palaeobiology II, Blackwells, Oxford;
- Brookfield, M. E. (2004) Principles of stratigraphy, Blackwells, Oxford;
- Stanley, S. M. (2004) Earth system history, 2nd edition. W. H. Freeman, San Francisco.
