Duration
20h Th, 30h Pr
Number of credits
| Bachelor in geology | 4 crédits |
Lecturer
Language(s) of instruction
French language
Organisation and examination
Teaching in the first semester, review in January
Schedule
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Learning unit contents
Micropaleontology is the study of fossil microscopic remains of the 3 domains of life. In this class, the links bewteen biology and geology are strongly underlined, showing that a microfossil is much more than a dating tool (biostratigraphy), but allows to understand the biosphere evolution since its origins, questions of paleobiology, paleoecology, paleogeography, biogeochemical cycles, environmental problems of natural and anthropic causes, and astrobiology.
chapter headings:
* 1: introduction, modern analytical methods, and fossilisation-taphonomy
* next classses: paleobiology, paleoecology, evolution and applications of microfossils with organic, agglutinated, siliceous, or calcareous walls (microscopic fossils of bacteria, protists, plants, animals and fungi)
* last class: applications of micropaleontology (student presentations)
Learning outcomes of the learning unit
At the end of this class, the student will be able to identify the main microfossil groups, and to understand modern analytical methods in micropaleontology, and their applications in paleobiology, paleoecology, paleogeography, paleoclimatology, paleooceanography, astrobiology, biostratigraphy and lithogenesis.
Prerequisite knowledge and skills
basic knwledge in geology and biology
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
observation of different microfossil groups with microscope and binocular, oral presentation of a scientific paper, and visit of laboratories
Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)
face to face and online, Praticals face-to-face
Course materials and recommended or required readings
powerpoint presentations online (MyULg)
notes distributed at practicals
Exam(s) in session
Any session
- In-person
written exam
Further information:
Exam(s) in session
Any session
- In-person
oral exam
Continuous assessment
Additional information:
marking:
6o% theory
20% praticals (identification of microfossils with justification, stratigraphic distribution, composition)
20% understanding and oral presentation of a scientific article in front of the class
participation to practicals (microscopy, article presentation) is mandatory
Work placement(s)
Organisational remarks and main changes to the course
morning class: theory 9-12h
afternoon: practicals 13-17h
on thursdays, Q1
Contacts
Prof. E. Javaux
Université de Liège Bât. B22
Early Life Traces & Evolution-Astrobiology
Quartier Vallée 1
Chemin de la Vallée 4
4000 Liège (Sart-Tilman)
Belgique
04 366 5422
ej.javaux@uliege.be