http://www.umpi.maine.edu/~mccartnk/hlife08.htm

Note: This is a draft syllabus for a
new course being proposed
The earth is a vast cemetary where the rocks are the tombstones
on which the buried dead have written their own epitaphs

- Louis Agassiz

Race after race resigned their fleeting breath
The rocks alone their curious annals save.

- T. A. Conrad

Syllabus: Gey 1** (Historical Geology - History of Life), Spring, 2008?:
Lecture: TTH?, Folsom 303?

Text:

History of Life: Richard Cowen (3rd ed.)

Comments on potential textbooks:

There are a number of college level introductory books on paleontology and history of life (Bringing Fossils to Life, by Proterho; Fossils at a Glance, by Milsom and Rigby; Paleontology, An Introduction, by Nield and Tucker), but most books cover the subject in taxonomical order (most primitive to most advanced phyla) rather than in the context of geologic time. The Cowen textbook does cover life in historical order (earliest to most recent), but gives very little treatment to comcepts of time. The book lacks good presentation of the geologic time scale and the interpretation of time. A better book is still being sought, or I will have to write up materials to be used as handouts or photocopies and sold in the bookstore.
Instructor:
Kevin McCartney (office: 302 Folsom, hours: 10:45-12:00)
office phone 768-9482; home phone 492-4766
email: mccartnk@umpi.maine.edu

Grading
No make-up exams unless a valid excuse is given before the missed test.
Tests and Quizes grades
Quiz 1 & 2 (geologic time scale) 25 pnts A = 90% (540 pnts)
Test 1 125 B = 80% (480 pnts)
Test 2 125 pnts C = 70% (420 pnts)
Test 3 125 pnts D = 60% (360 pnts)
Final (cumulative) 200? pnts F = below 60% (360 pnts)
Total Lecture 600 pnts 600 pnts total

A steady improvement in test scores may be used in revising grade upwards. Otherwise, grades will not be curved. Attendance can be taken into account in the case of borderline grades.

If you have a disability and need an accomodation or assistance in this course, please make an appointment to talk with me. If you prefer, you may contact Student Support Services, South Hall.

Below is a tentative schedule of Historical Geology lectures
(Spring, 2008?)
Note: this syllabus is adapted from Historical Geology Gey 113 (Spr. 2007)
and contains dates and events from that year.
because of remaining uncertainties about text, reading assignments have not been put into this draft
Click lecture for day´s quote
Assignments need to be read before class.
# date lecture title reading:
1 1/16 Introduction, What is Historical Geology?
2 1/18 Our changing view of life
3 1/23 Reading the Strata - Geologic time scale
1/24 Last day to Drop a class
4 1/25 Absolute time and radioactivity
5 1/30 Radioactive and other dating methods
6 2/1 Inventorying the organic world - biological taxonomy
2/2-3 FYI: Atlantic Geoscience Society
meeting, Moncton, NB
7 2/6 Evolution
8 2/8 Rates of Evolution, Changes in Diversity
9 2/13 The relationships among organisms - trophic levels
10 2/15 TEST 1
February 17 - 25 V A C A T I O N
11 2/27 The development of atmosphere and biosphere
12 3/1 The Precambrian
13 3/6 The modern lower invertebrates, reefs
14 3/8 The modern higher invertebrates -
- Arthropods, Echinoderms and Mollusca
3/12-14 Geological Society of America,
Northeast section meeting, at UNH
15 3/13 The Cambrian Explosion, Cambrian life
16 3/15 Invertebrates of the Paleozoic
17 3/20 Plants through the Paleozoic
18 3/22 TEST 2
3/23 Last day to withdrawl without penalty
19 3/27 Late Paleozoic, vertebrates
20 3/29 Extinction
March 31 - April 8 - Spring VACATION
4/6 Geological Society of Maine, Spring mtg, UMF
21 4/10 Mesozoic invertebrates
22 4/12 Mesozoic, Diversification of reptiles
23 4/17 Dinosaurs
24 4/19 The K/T extinctions, the scientific process
25 4/24 Cenozoic - diversification of mammals
26 4/26 TEST 3
27 5/1 Humans
28 5/3 Future life on earth, life on other planets?
Final Exam: to be announced
University of Maine at Presque Isle
Statement of Commitment

As a member of the university, I pledge to
Pursue academic excellence,
Support open inquiry and civil expression,
Listen respectfully to the viewpoints of others,
Participate responsibly in the life of the community,
Conserve and enhance the beauty of the campus, and
Help members of the university realize their potential.


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