Syllabus (GEOLOGY)
Course Type: MAJ-12
Semester: 7
Course Code: BGELMAJ12T
Course Title: Paleontology
(L-P-Tu): 5-0-1
Credit: 6
Practical/Theory: Theory
Course Objective: Paleontology is the study of fossil specimens of organism that lived through geologi- cal history. Hence, objective will be to impart knowledge about origin and evolution of life through geo - logical time.
Learning Outcome: In paleontology students learn about evolution by taking into consideration chrono species which is bio species along with a 3rd dimension called Lineage since bio events are synchronous throughout the world and the very much ambient environment sensitive, this domain of knowledge is used as a tool to interpret past along with relative age determination and corelation.
Paper - 702 Course Title: Paleontology:
4 credit (60 lectures) + 2 credit (practicals)
Unit I: paleontology, definition, subdivisions and scope, its relationship with other sub-disciplines of ge- ology.
Unit II: Organic evolution
1. Origin of life and Principles of organic evolution - speciation, micro- and macroevolution, theories of evolution
Unit III: Invertebrate paleontology:
- Brief introduction to important invertebrate groups (Bivalvia, Gastropoda, Brachiopoda, Trilobita, Echinoidea) and their biostratigraphic significance
- Functional adaptation in trilobites and ammonoids
- Micropaleontology and its application in earth sciences
Unit IV: Vertebrate paleontology:
- Origin of vertebrates and major steps in vertebrate evolution
- Mesozoic reptiles with special reference to origin, diversity and extinction of dinosaurs 3.
- Evolution of horse and intercontinental migrations; Human evolution
Unit V: Introduction to Paleobotany, Gondwana Flora and Ichnology
- Introduction to Paleobotany
- Introduction to Gondwana Flora
- Plants as indicator of past climate
- Ichnology and its application in paleoecology
List of Practicals
- Study of fossils with various modes of preservation
- Study of systematic position, stratigraphic position and age of various invertebrate, Study of func- tional morphological characters of different groups (Pelecypods, Gastropods, Brachiopoda, Echinodermata, Cephalopods, Gondwana flora, vertebrates)
- Hard part morphology and identification of common Brachiopoda, Anthozoa, Trilobita, Echi- noidea, Gastropoda. Identification of Gondwana flora
- Cladistics and Cladogram
Reading References:
- Raup, D. M., Stanley, S. M., Freeman, W. H. (1971) Principles of Paleontology
- Clarkson, E. N. K. (2012) Invertebrate paleontology and evolution 4th Edition by Blackwell Publishing.
- Benton, M. (2009). Vertebrate paleontology. John Wiley & Sons.
- Benton, M. J., Harper, D. A. T. (2010). Introduction to Paleobiology and the Fossil Record, Wiley-Blackwell.
- Shukla, A. C., & Misra, S. P. (1975). Essentials of paleobotany. Vikas Publisher
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Basic Features
Undergraduate degree programmes of either 3 or 4-year duration, with multiple entry and exit points and re-entry options, with appropriate certifications such as:
- UG certificate after completing 1 year (2 semesters with 40 Credits + 1 Summer course of 4 credits) of study,
- UG diploma after 2 years (4 semesters with 80 Credits + 1 Summer course of 4 credits) of study,
- Bachelor’s degree after a 3-year (6 semesters with 120 credits) programme of study,
- 4-year bachelor’s degree (Honours) after eight semesters (with 170 Credits) programme of study.
- 4-year bachelor’s degree (Honours with Research) if the student completes a rigorous research project (of 12 Credits) in their major area(s) of study in the 8th semester.
Note: The eligibility condition of doing the UG degree (Honours with Research) is- minimum75% marks to be obtained in the first six semesters.
- The students can make an exit after securing UG Certificate/ UG Diploma and are allowed to re-enter the degree programme within three years and complete the degree programme within the stipulated maximum period of seven years.
