Syllabus

Fossilization processes and preservation. Biases in the fossil record. Taxonomy principles and classification. Evolutionary significance of fossils. Mass extinction events and their causes. Morphology, classification, and significance of: Trilobites, brachiopods, molluscs, echinoderms, and corals. Evolution, morphology, and classification of: Fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. Fossil evidence of human evolution.
Types and applications of microfossils: Foraminifera, radiolarians, diatoms, ostracods. Micropalaeontological techniques and biostratigraphy.
Evolution of plants. Fossil plants: Gymnosperms, angiosperms, and paleoclimate reconstruction. Patterns and processes of evolution and speciation. Applications: Biostratigraphy, paleoecology, paleoclimatology, and oil and gas exploration.

To provide a comprehensive understanding of fossilization processes, preservation, and biases in the fossil record, along with the principles of taxonomy and classification.

To provide in depth knowledge on the morphology, classification, and significance of major invertebrate groups (trilobites, brachiopods, mollusks, echinoderms, and corals) and vertebrate groups (fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals), including fossil evidence of human evolution.

To explore the types and applications of microfossils (foraminifera, radiolarians, diatoms, ostracods) and biostratigraphy techniques, along with the evolution of plants and the role of fossil gymnosperms and angiosperms in paleoclimate reconstruction.

To examined the patterns and processes of evolution, speciation, and mass extinction events to provide insights into the factors that shaped biodiversity through geological time.
To discuss the practical applications of palaeontology in biostratigraphy, paleoecology, paleoclimatology, and oil and gas exploration will be discussed, equipping students with tools to interpret Earth's biological history.

To acquire knowledge of fossilization processes, preservation, mass extinction events and biases in the fossil record.
To acquire knowledge of taxonomy principles and classification, and their application in understanding the evolutionary history of organisms.
To acquire knowledge of the morphology, classification, and significance of invertebrate and vertebrate fossil groups.
To acquire knowledge of microfossils and fossil plants and their application in biostratigraphy and paleoclimate reconstruction.
To acquire knowledge of evolutionary patterns, and the practical applications of palaeontology in biostratigraphy, paleoecology, paleoclimatology, and resource exploration.

Clarkson, E. N. K., Invertebrate palaeontology and evolution, John Wiley & Sons

Benton, M. J., Vertebrate palaeontology, John Wiley & Sons

Jenkins, D. G., Applied micropalaeontology, Springer Science & Business Media.

4. Taylor, E. L., Taylor, T. N., & Krings, M., Paleobotany: the biology and evolution of fossil plants, Academic Press