Subject
Microfossils, Environment and Time
General details of the subject
- Mode
- Face-to-face degree course
- Language
- English
Description and contextualization of the subject
This module offers a general introduction to the various groups of microfossils. Alongside their morphology and taxonomy, you will learn how certain groups can be used for the solution of geological problems, or for hydrocarbon exploration.Competencies
| Name | Weight |
|---|---|
| Assign a microfossil to its major taxonomic group (e.g. foram, ostracod, dinoflagellate, spore, pollen, etc.). | 25.0 % |
| Be aware of, and to recognise, the main morphological and compositional features which allow assignation of an individual fossil to each group. | 20.0 % |
| Draw basic stratigraphic conclusions about microfossil assemblages (e.g. age of rock unit, correlations, etc.). | 15.0 % |
| Deduce palaeoecological and/or palaeoceanographic interpretations from different assemblages of microfossils. | 15.0 % |
| Understand the applicability of particular microfossil groups to particular lithologies and particular geological time periods. | 15.0 % |
| Determine which microfossil groups are most applicable to the solution of a variety of particular geological problems. | 10.0 % |
Study types
| Type | Face-to-face hours | Non face-to-face hours | Total hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lecture-based | 35 | 70 | 105 |
| Seminar | 15 | 30 | 45 |
| Applied laboratory-based groups | 25 | 12.5 | 37.5 |
Training activities
| Name | Hours | Percentage of classroom teaching |
|---|---|---|
| Acquiring basic instrumental skills | 37.5 | 40 % |
| Expositive classes | 105.0 | 33 % |
| Information presentation | 45.0 | 55 % |
Assessment systems
| Name | Minimum weighting | Maximum weighting |
|---|---|---|
| OTROS | 40.0 % | 40.0 % |
| Practical tasks | 20.0 % | 20.0 % |
| Written examination | 40.0 % | 40.0 % |
Learning outcomes of the subject
At the end of the Unit, the student should be able to:- Utilise stereo binocular, transmitted and reflected light microscopes; use of scanning electron microscope; and report writing (generic skills).
- Acquire practical experience of microfossil identification to species level; compilation, utilisation and interpretation of biostratigraphic and palaeoenvironmental information; an appreciation of how to prepare and mount micropalaeontological samples for observation, and the safety precautions necessary to observe during such preparations; to have developed a background knowledge of micropalaeontological literature sources (subject-specific skills).
Temary
SyllabusLectures will introduce the various microfossil groups and detail their utility as important indicators of past environments by examining the ecology of living microplankton taxa and extrapolating this to the fossil record (palaeoecology, palaeoceanography). The applicability of different microfossil groups in providing both relative timescales (through zonal schemes) and biostratigraphic correlation will be detailed, as will the role of certain microfossils in understanding evolutionary processes (particularly in groups such as land plants). Microplankton as agents of global environmental change will also be investigated, especially with regard to fluxes of CaCO3 and C and hence to CO2 in the atmosphere. The microfossil groups which will be studied in the above context are those which form mineralised skeletons (calcareous, siliceous, phosphatic) and the organic-walled microfossils (known as palynomorphs).
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