GEOL 128: The Dinosaurian World

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1 GEOL 128: The Dinosaurian World Instructor: Scott E Ishman; Office 303 Parkinson; Phone: ; sishman@siu.edu; Office Hours: 12-2 M,T,W. Rationale: Dinosaurs have fascinated all ages through time. The mystery of the most successful land animal in the history of the earth is perpetuated by their extinction. This course will provide interested students with a better understanding of one of the most intriguing and publicized fossil groups, Dinosaurs. The course will use dinosaurs as a focal point in the interdisciplinary application of basic scientific concepts of geology, paleobiology, paleoecology, and paleoenvironmental analysis. This course is intended to entertain general students. There are no pre-requisites other than an interest in dinosaurs, large Mesozoic reptiles, and paleontology. Appropriate scientific background will be filled in as necessary during the course. Student Objectives 1. To understand the significance of plate tectonics. 2. To understand the process of fossilization and its role in dinosaur preservation. 3. To understand basic scientific concepts used in the study of dinosaurs and their environments. 4. To become familiar with the major dinosaur groups and their contemporaries. 5. To become familiar with the evidence for dinosaurs paleobiology and behavior. 6. To become familiar with the approaches and evidence used to interpret the evolution of birds and the extinction of dinosaurs. Examinations and grading: Your grade will be determined as a percent score from exams and quizzes as follows: Hour Exam #1 Hour Exam #2 Hour Exam #3 Final Exam Quizzes 15 percent Class Participation 5 percent Total 100 percent Grades will be administered based on the following scale: percent A percent B percent C percent D 59 and lower F 1

2 It is strongly recommended that you read the textbook and other assigned readings, attend the lectures, and study the topics discussed in the lecture. Attendance will not be taken. No points will be deducted for missing classes, however, in-class discussions will be included in grade assessment, and experience shows that a student with poor attendance will most likely receive a poorer grade. Short pop-quizzes will be given throughout the semester and count for 15% of your grade. Required Textbook: Dinosaurs: A Concise Natural History, 1 st or 2 nd Edition, by Fastovsky and Weishampel. (FAST) 2

3 Additional Resources for Required or Optional Viewing or Reading: Video The Dinosaurs The Monsters Emerge Video The Dinosaurs Flesh on the Bones Video The Dinosaurs The Nature of the Beast Video The Dinosaurs The Death of the Dinosaur Fastovsky and Weishampel (F&W), 1996, The Evolution and Extinction of the Dinosaurs Archibald, 1996, Dinosaur Extinction and the End of an Era Time, 10/28/96, The Age of Pterosaurs Costa, 1994, Dinosaur Safari Guide AAAS Symposium, 1988, A Cold Look at Warm-Blooded Dinosaurs Halls, 1996, Dino-Trekking Paleontological Society, 1990, The Age of Dinosaurs Paleontological Society, 1994, Dino Fest Gale, Book Review of GRS Special Paper 287 MacLeod, 1996, Editorial in Paleobiology, K/T Redux Dotson, 1996, The Horned Dinosaur Currie & Padian (C&P), 1997, Encyclopedia of Dinosaurs Farlow & Brett-Surman (F&B), 1997, The Complete Dinosaur Cuffey & Eichelberger (C&E), 1996, Probiscidean and Dinosaur Biodiversities-Similar Declines at the Approach of Final Extinction Stanley, Earth System History, (Eds. 2-3), Freeman Press. 3

4 Schedule of Topics Reading Assignment Or Video Viewing Wednesday, Jan. 20 Introduction to the Course Introduction to Dinosaurs Monday, Jan. 25 Evolution and Speciation FAST, Chapt. 3 Wednesday, Jan. 27 Classification and Phylogeny FAST, Chapt. 3 Monday, Feb. 1 Fossils and Taphonomy FAST, Chapt. 1 Wednesday, Feb. 3 Age Dating and Geologic Time FAST, Chapt. 2 and Stratigraphic Concepts Monday, Feb 8 Plate Tectonics and the FAST, Chapt. 2 Assembling of Pangea Wednesday, Feb. 10 Exam I Monday, Feb. 15 The Mesozoic Era FAST, Chapt. 2 Wednesday, Feb. 17 Life Moves Onto Land FAST, Chapt. 4 Monday, Feb. 22 Dinosaur Precursors FAST, Chapt. 4 Wednesday, Feb. 24 The Origin of Dinosaurs FAST, Chapt. 15 Monday, Feb. 29 Wednesday, Mar. 2 Dinosaur Anatomy Exam II Monday, Mar. 7 Major Groups of Dinosaurs FAST, Chapt. 4 Wednesday, Mar. 9 Predatory Dinosaurs FAST, Chapter 9 Mar SPRING BREAK Monday, Mar. 21 Predatory Dinosaurs FAST, Chapter 9 Wednesday, Mar. 23 Land of the Giants FAST, Chapter 8 Monday, Mar. 28 Land of the Giants FAST, Chapter 8 Wednesday, Mar. 30 The other Herbivores FAST, Chapter 7 4

5 Monday, Apr. 4 The other Herbivores FAST, Chapter 7 Wednesday, Apr. 6 The Amour Plated Dinos FAST, Chapter 5 Monday, Apr. 11 The Amour Plated Dinos FAST, Chapter 5 Wednesday, Apr. 13 Head Cases FAST, Chapter 6 Monday, Apr. 18 Head Cases FAST, Chapter 6 Wednesday, Apr. 20 Monday, Apr. 25 EXAM II Flying Reptiles and Marine Monsters of the Dinosaurian World Wednesday, Apr. 27 Hot-Blooded Dinosaurs FAST, Chapter 12 Video-Flesh and Bones Monday, May 2 The Origin of Birds - FAST, Chapter 10, 11 Are they Living Dinosaurs? Wednesday, May 4 Dinosaur Extinctions FAST, Chapter 16 Monday, May 9, 2:45-4:45 pm FINAL EXAM Academic misconduct, including Plagiarism, will not be tolerated and the University Policies regarding such will be enforced to their fullest extent. Students with disabilities and/or special needs are particularly encouraged to see me at the start of the semester so that we can make arrangements to accommodate your needs. The scheduling of topics is subject to change by the instructor. 5

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