Geology 105 - History of Life, Fall 2004

Section 1, MWF 9:10 - 10:00, TH 432

Section 2, MWF 12:10 - 13:00, TH 429

Instructor: Dr. Lisa White, Professor of Geology

Office Hours: MWF 10:10 am - 12 noon; or by appointment

Office Location: Thornton Hall Room 521, Ph: 338-1963, e-mail: Lwhite@sfsu.edu

Required Text: Life of the Past, (4th edition, 1999) by Ausich and Lane, Prentice Hall

Course Reader: Geol 105 Course Reader can be purchased in the bookstore. Please purchase the Reader as soon as possible and plan on bringing it to every class meeting.

Optional Text: The Shape of Life (2002) by Burnett and Matsen, Monterey Bay Aquarium

Web Sites: http://tornado.sfsu.edu/geosciences/classes/lwhite/105.html

http://tornado.sfsu.edu/geosciences/classes/lwhite/105links.html

(Note the list of recommended Web sites on pages 1-2 in your Course Reader).

I. Course Objectives

This 3-unit general education course covers 4 billion years of life on earth as interpreted from the fossil record. Emphasis is on the diversity of life during each of the geological eras and topics will include the origin of life, evolution, and extinction of the major groups of animals (invertebrates and vertebrates). In addition, the impact of plate tectonics, geologic environments and climate change on the history of life will be evaluated. The lecture format of the class is enhanced by use of Power Point slides, online materials, films and in-class activities.

II. Course Requirements

1. Class attendance is very important and will be tracked with the use of mystery fossils and other in-class activities. Please purchase a pack of 3x5 index cards to bring to every class meeting for this and other activities. Exam questions are drawn primarily from the lecture material, including film questions and homework assignments, and your scores on exams typically reflect your classroom attendance.

2. Text reading, film questions, in-class assignments, and homework exercises are all equally important. Make special note of the topics emphasized during the lectures and carefully read the corresponding chapters in the textbook. To assist in your note-taking, you should bring the course reader to every class meeting. Assignments that are turned in late will be subject to a point reduction.

3. Two mid-term exams and one final exam are scheduled (see dates and grading on the following pages). NO MAKEUP EXAMS GIVEN AT ANY TIME! Many of the questions on the exams will be drawn equally from the lecture material, film questions and other assignments. The mid-term exams will consist of multiple choice and true false questions. The final exam will be comprehensive, however, it will emphasize the material covered after the second mid-term exam.

4. You are expected to respect your instructor and each other by arriving to class on time and turning off all cell phones. Arriving late, unnecessary chatter during lecture, reading the paper, doing homework, listening to headphones, are all disruptive and prevent others from learning.

Proposed CLASS Schedule:

(subject to modification)

Date Topic Reading (chapters from text)

Aug. 25, 27 Introduction to Paleontology Ch. 1, pp. 1-5

Aug. 30, Sept. 1, 3 Fossil Preservation Ch. 3, pp. 33-47

Sept. 8, 10, 13 Geologic Principles & Ch. 1, pp. 6-18

Geologic Time Ch. 3, pp. 47-54

Sept. 15, 17 Organization of Life Ch. 2, pp. 19-32

Sept. 20, 22, 24, Origin of Earth and Life & Ch. 4, pp. 55-62

27 Life of the Precambrian Ch. 8, pp. 109-120

Sept. 29 Review for mid-term Review Chapters 1- 4, 8

Oct. 1 MID-TERM EXAM I

(FRI.) (BRING SCANTRON FORM 882-E)

Oct. 4, 6, 8 Evolution & Extinction Ch. 5, pp. 63-78

Oct. 11, 13, 15 Plate Tectonics & Ch. 6, pp. 79-92

Paleobiogeography Ch. 7, pp. 93-108

Oct. 18, 20, 22 The Cambrian Explosion & Ch. 9, pp. 121-132

Early Paleozoic Life Ch. 10, pp. 133-152

Ch. 12, pp. 179-182; Ch. 11 (skim)

Oct. 25, 27, Life of the Late Ch. 12, pp. 182-190

29 Paleozoic Ch. 13, pp. 193-204

Ch. 15, pp. 233-240

Nov. 1, 3 Dinosaurs, Birds, and other Ch. 15, pp. 240-258

Ruling Reptiles

Nov.5 MID-TERM EXAM II Review Chpts. 5-7, 9-10, 12,13,15

(FRI.) (BRING SCANTRON FORM 882-E)

Nov. 8. 10, 12, Dinosaurs, Birds, and other Ch. 15, pp. 240-258

Ruling Reptiles, Continued

Nov. 15, 17, 19 Mesozoic Invertebrates & Ch. 10, pp. 152-161

Marine Reptiles Ch. 11, pp. 165-169, Ch. 12, pp. 190-192

Nov. 22, 24 The K-T Extinction Event Ch. 15, pp. 253-254

Nov. 25-26 Thanksgiving break, No Class

Nov. 29, Dec.3 Life of the Cenozoic Ch. 16, pp. 259-280

Dec. 1 (WED.) PROGRAM ADVISING, NO CLASS

Dec. 6, 8 Human Evolution Ch. 16, pp. 281-291

Dec. 10 Review for final exam

***** FINAL EXAMS *****

SECTION 1, WEDNESDAY - DEC. 15 - 8:00 AM - 10:30 AM

SECTION 2, WEDNESDAY - DEC. 15 - 10:45 AM -1:15 PM

(BRING SCANTRON FORM 882-E)

III. GRADING

Letter grades will be determined from the following percentages:

A (A/A-).......88-100%

B (+/-).........77-87%

C (+/-).........66-76%

D (+/-).........55-65%

F................< 55%

Point distribution: