Evolution of Life - Palaeontology

This module is a basic introduction in the field of Palaeontology. Students become acquainted with fossils, which consist the evidence of evolution, and their use in geological research. Also, during this module information concerning the main groups of organisms that are commonly found as fossils are provided.

Since the first moment that life appeared on earth 4 billion years ago, life on earth is under constant evolution. New species appear, while others disappear. Fossils are the unquestionable testimony of this evolution through the geological ages, thus due to their continuous change they allow us to record and understand the age of the rocks that they were found in, as well as the prevailing palaeoenvironmental conditions when they were still alive, or when they died and were deposited in the sediments.

 Upon successful completion of this course the students will be able to:

1. Identify fossils.
2. Understand, implement and discuss the basics of Palaeontology, what fossil and fossilisation is, how the fossilisation and preservation processes work and finally what taphonomy is.
3. Understand, implement and discuss information on the origin, development and evolution of life, what mass extinctions are, when they occur and what their impact is on the evolution of life.
4. Learn about the main groups of organisms that first appeared and prevailed during the Phanerozoic eon.
5. Understand that the earth is a changing world and these changes have a direct impact on the evolution and making of life on earth.
6. Become competent in identifying some of the most important and common groups of organisms that can be found as fossils.
7. Correlate organisms with certain environments which could be used to define the respective depositional environments.
8. Use these methods in order to contribute in the stratigraphic research and the understanding of the palaeoenvironment when stratigraphic methods such as biostratigraphy and chronostratigraphy are used.  

Generally, by the end of this course the student will, furthermore, have developed the following general abilities:

1. Search, analyse and synthesize data and information, using the necessary technologies.
2. Working in a multidisciplinary environment
3. Working in an international environment.
4. Independent work.
5. Group work.
6. Generating new research ideas.
7. Respecting the environment.
8. Criticism and self-criticism.
9. Promoting free and creative thinking.
10. Respecting diversity and multiculturalism.

1. Fossils – Fossilisation – Categories of fossils – Ways of fossilisation
2. Species – Systematics – Phylogenesis – Determination of of species – Nomenclature.
3. Palaeoecology – Taphonomy.
4. What life is – Origin and evolution of life on earth – Mass extinctions.
5. Protists – Metazoans - Invertebrates - Chordates.
6. Bivalves, gastropods, cephalopods, brachiopods, echinoderms, trilobites, corals
7. Vertebrates, fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals, hominids.
8. Palaeobotany

Ι) Oral final examination. The mark consists 50% of the final grade.

 The examination will include:

• Short answered questions.
• Short essays of combined approach.

ΙΙ. Written reports following the completion of each laboratory practical. The mean mark of the reports consists the other 50% of the final grade.

Minimum passing grade:  5.

Final Course Grade (FCG)

FCG = ( Oral exam + practical reports ) / 2

1. Prothero, R.D., 1998, Bringing fossils to life: An introduction to palaeobiology, WCB/McGraw-Hill
2. Clarkson, E., 1998, Invertebrate Palaeontology and evolution, Wiley-Blackwell
3. Armstrong, H.A., Brasier, M.D., 2005, Microfossils, Blackwell.
4. Benton M.J., 2005, Vertebrate Paleontology, Blackwell Science Ltd
5. Benton M. J., Harper D., A.T., 2009, Introduction to Paleobiology and the Fossil Record , Wiley-Blackwell, Chichester.
6. Levin, H.,2013, The Earth through time, Wiley
7. Notes of lecturers in English.