Unit name | Current Controversies in Palaeobiology and Macroevolution |
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Unit code | EASCM0001 |
Credit points | 10 |
Level of study | M/7 |
Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1B (weeks 7 - 12) |
Unit director | Professor. Mike Benton |
Open unit status | Not open |
Pre-requisites | |
Co-requisites | |
School/department | School of Earth Sciences |
Faculty | Faculty of Science |
The purpose of this unit is to discuss and debate controversial areas in palaeobiology. The main aims are: to improve your knowledge of controversial subject areas; to improve your communication skills, particularly in oral presentations, and; to encourage independent assessment of the evidence for competing hypotheses.
The learning outcomes of this unit include the ability to:
Lectures and discussion sessions.
There is no theory exam. Students will be divided into 5 groups. One group will give presentations each week in the discussion session. All students are expected to research the subject, contribute towards the group discussion, and hand in a report from two of the weeks in which they are not presenting. Assessment is based on the presentation (50%) and two selected written reports (i.e. 50%).
No specific course text is required. Appropriate references will be provided each week on the controversy being covered, after the lecture.