Duration
20h Th, 20h Pr, 1d FW
Number of credits
| Bachelor in geology | 4 crédits |
Lecturer
Language(s) of instruction
French language
Organisation and examination
Teaching in the second semester
Schedule
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Learning unit contents
The course of Paleobotany broadly explores the plant evolutionary tree and illustrates the dynamics specific to the various lineages of embryophytes (land plants). This cours offers keys to understand the plant diversity both fossil and actual. A special focus is made on the main transitions of the evolution of plants.
- Introduction. A brief overview of the prerequisite botanical knowledge. A condensed history of paleobotany as a scientific disciplin. The main steps of the evolution of plants.
- The origin of plants.
- The evolution of plants. Bryophytes, Protracheophytes, Paratracheophytes, Basal Eutracheophytes, Lycophytes, Trimerophytes, Monilophytes (Cladoxylopsids, Sphenopsids, Filicopsids), Non spermatyophytic Lignophytes (Aneurophytales, Archaeopteridales), Non angispermian Spermatophytes, Angiosperms.
Learning outcomes of the learning unit
- Detailed knowledge of the evolutionary history, anatomy and morphology of the main embryophyte groups having an adequate fossil record.
- Recognition and identification at low taxonomic rank of common Wallonian fossils and at high taxonomic rank of all fossil groups (with a focus on palaeozoic groups).
- Detailed knowledge of the stratigraphic arrangement and associations of fossil floras.
- Notions of ecology and physiology to understand lifestyle and the preservation of the fossil groups addressed in the course.
Prerequisite knowledge and skills
- Fundamentals of geology (dating methods, stratigraphy, deposition and formation of sedimentary rocks).
- Phylogeny of extant embryophyte lineages.
- Extant plant anatomy.
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
The courses will take the shape of a theoretical lesson followed by practicals used to illustrate the concepts.
The face to face sessions are used to give the theoretical context and to discuss concepts and difficult parts of the course.
The practical session focus on the morphology and identification of major fossil groups of embryophytes and the illustration of the main evolutionary trends that have affected them. Particular emphasis is placed on fossils that are common in Belgium and surrounding areas.
Fieldwork (1 x 8h) teaches the student to collect and identify fossil plants and analyze how fossils are integrated into sedimentary deposits.
Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)
Face-to-face course
Additional information:
Face-to-face, lecture delivered in French.
Class attendance is strongly recommended.
Attendance at practical work sessions is compulsory.
Course materials and recommended or required readings
Lecture notes in pdf format and all PowerPoint presentations are available on the student portal.
Exam(s) in session
Any session
- In-person
oral exam
Out-of-session test(s)
Additional information:
Out of session evaluations. Accounts for 1/4 of the final grade.
- An evaluation of the practical reports to hand over at the end of each practical.
- An oral examination based on broad questions on the theoretical courses. Accounts for 2/4 of the final grade.
- A practical part, oral as well, which consists of the argued determination, without any notes, of a series of fossils (5, generally). Accounts for 1/4 of the final grade.
Work placement(s)
N/A
Organisational remarks and main changes to the course
Attendance at theoretical courses, praticals and field trips is mandatory.
Contacts
Cyrille Prestianni c.prestianni@uliege.be