Course coordinator
Dr Gilbert Price
Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 2, 2024 (22/07/2024 - 18/11/2024)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- The Environment School
This course will explore the history of Earth's life, from the dawn of the planet some 4.5 billion years ago, to the present. In ERTH2002: we will: examine the processes that can lead to the preservation of organic remains over geological time periods; explore key evolutionary and extinction events that have shaped the world around us; and investigate many of the ways in which we can make inferences about biological processes from the limited, often biased information preserved in the fossil record. Most importantly, you will gain a thorough understanding of the application of the fossil record to contemporary problems in the Earth and Biological Sciences. Content will be delivered in the form of 'contacts' where classes will include both theoretical and practical components. There are additional costs for the field trip.
The Earth formed around 4.5 billion years ago and the first possible, albeit somewhat controversial, evidence for life is found only 700 million years later! Living organisms have, therefore, been present for 85% of the history of the Earth and have shaped the planet in a myriad of different ways as life has evolved. Incremental, frequently infinitesimal changes in morphology over inconceivably long time periods have produced the tens of millions (if not more!) of species that we see interacting around us today. Fortuitous confluences of geological forces have led to the preservation of evidence of past life for millions, and in some cases billions, of years. This course will provide you with a firm foundation of tools and knowledge that you will be able to use to find the answers to any questions you might have about the history of life. The course is particularly well-suited to students within the Earth, Biological and Archaeological Sciences.
Topic coverage: ERTH2002 is an interdisciplinary course in which students will use palaeontology and sedimentology to interpret ancient environments and the ecosystems they supported. Topics that will be covered include: fossils and styles of preservation; taphonomic processes (i.e., biases in the fossil record); species concepts in palaeontology; the evolution and diversity of life through time; and mass extinction events. Emphasis will be placed on the applications of palaeobiology in the earth and biological sciences, particularly in stratigraphy and palaeoecology, palaeoclimatology, evolutionary biology, ecology and conservation.
Content delivery: ERTH2002 content will mostly be delivered in the form of online 'Contacts' where classes will include both theoretical and practical components. You will be working with a combination of real fossils and digital resources, solving real problems in Palaeontology. Exercise worksheets will be associated with each Contact session. Such exercises will form the basis of prac quizzes spaced through the semester and will contribute to your overall grade within the course.
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Fieldtrip: The ERTH2002 fieldtrip will take you to a most amazing fossil site on the outskirts of Brisbane. The deposit is renowned as one of the most productive and diverse plant fossil localities of its age in the world. It has also yielded insect remains, freshwater bivalves, and conchostraceans (bivalved freshwater crustaceans). In some parts of the rock formation, dinosaur footprints have also been reported. It is very possible that we could uncover new dinosaur records during the fieldtrip! The purpose of the fieldtrip will be to collect fossil plant specimens for the following practical-based assessment. You will be required to complete a short exercise sheet during the fieldtrip in addition to taking general notes on the geology of the fossil deposit.ﾠThe notes that you make will also be critical for the assessment. You will also be required to pay a field trip fee of $20-30 (to be confirmed closer to the fieldtrip date). More information will be provided in the first few weeks of class.
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Video: ERTH2002 fieldtrip and course overview from The University of Queensland.
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Course requirements
Assumed background
ERTH2002 does not have any prerequisites, but it is strongly recommended that you complete BIOL1030 and/or ERTH1000. Although students should have a basic understanding of Earth history and/orﾠfaunal and floralﾠbiology and biodiversity; skills can be picked up during the class.
Recommended prerequisites
We recommend completing the following courses before enrolling in this one:
BIOL1030 or ERTH1000
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Demonstrator
Miss Amber-Rose Faith
Mr Vikram Vakil
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Additional timetable information
Students should attend all Contact sessions each week.
The field trip will be held in Week 9. This is a half-day in-person fieldtrip that will extend beyond the normal contact hours of the Wednesday Contact.
The mid-semester exam will be held during one of the regular Contact sessions in Week 7. It will cover all course content up until that week of the exam.
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Lecture and prac schedule for the semester - (subject to minor modifications):
Teaching Week 1
Themes: Introduction to the fossil record; Types of fossils; depositional environments preserving fossils (led by A/Prof Gilbert Price).
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Teaching Week 2
Themes: Styles and processes of preservation in the fossil record; Taphonomy and bias in the fossil record; process of systematic classification of life; Species, definition and application to the fossil record (led by A/Prof Gilbert Price).
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Teaching Week 3
Themes: Earliest fossils and evidence of life; introduction to geomicrobiology and microbialites; oxygenation of Earth (led by Prof Gregory Webb).
Assessment: Prac Quiz 1
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Teaching Week 4
Themes: Prokaryotes to eukaryotes transition: timing and evidence; multicellularity; Trace fossils and the Ediacaran fauna (led by Prof Gregory Webb).
Note: No Wednesday class due to Royal Queensland Show public holiday.
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Teaching Week 5
Themes: Cambrian Explosion and the rise of modern phyla; the Burgess Shale fauna; Phanerozoic marine invertebrates such as Porifera, Cnidaria, and the Lophotrochozoans (led by Prof Gregory Webb).
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Teaching Week 6
Themes: More Phanerozoic marine invertebrates including the Ecdysozoans; Invasion of the land; Integrated palaeoecology; Community trends and extinction events (led by Prof Gregory Webb).
Assessment: Prac Quiz 2
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Teaching Week 7
The Mid-semester exam will be held on Monday during our regular Contact session.
Other learning activities for the week include the following themes: The 'Palaeozoic fauna'; The 'modern fauna' (led by Prof Gregory Webb).
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Teaching Week 8
Themes: Coral Reef communities; reef rocks; reefs through time (led by Prof Gregory Webb)
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Teaching Week 9
Themes: The origins of plants; Plant adaptation to terrestrial life; Earliest plants; Diversification of plants in response to climate change (led by A/Prof Gilbert Price).
Assessment: Our fieldtrip will run on the Wednesday in the morning. Notes taken on the day, plus follow-up exercises in the next Contact, form part of the assessment.
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MID-SEMESTER BREAK
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Teaching Week 10
Themes: Evolution of modern plants; response to increased herbivory and climate change; Plants and palaeoclimate and palaeoenvironmental reconstruction; Earliest fossil evidence for backboned animals (led by A/Prof Gilbert Price)
Assessment: Dinmore fossil site reconstruction (this includes submission of fieldtrip notes and in-class exercise to be completed this week)
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Teaching Week 11
Themes: Diversity and evolutionary trends of vertebrates; Mesozoic fossil vertebrates; dinosaurs evolution and diversity, early mammals (led by A/Prof Gilbert Price).
(No Monday Contact due to King's Birthday public holiday).
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Teaching Week 12
Themes: Rise of mammals; Quaternary ecosystems and megafaunal extinctions (led by A/Prof Gilbert Price).
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Teaching Week 13
Themes: Focus on application of palaeobiology to contemporary problems in Earth and Biological Sciences (led by A/Prof Gilbert Price).
Assessment: Megafauna practical
Aims and outcomes
On completing this course, students will:
- Gain an understanding of the history of life on Earth
- Be able to apply knowledge of fossils to a wide range of biological and geological problems
- Understand the fundamental role that Palaeobiology plays in our understanding of the temporal relationships among rock formations
- Understand the relationship between Palaeobiology and other biological and geological sciences
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Recognise major (extinct and extant) groups of invertebrates, vertebrates and plants.
LO2.
Understand the limitations of the fossil record, explain the processes of fossilisation and taphonomy.
LO3.
Have a full understanding of the major transitions in organism evolution, and their evidence from the fossil record, such as the evolution of metazoans, major trends in global diversity, life on land, and the evolutionary implications of predation, symbiosis and competition.
LO4.
Explain the role of palaeobiology in evolutionary biology, ecology, biostratigraphy, conservation biology, sedimentary geology and geochemistry.
LO5.
List and describe the major events (extinctions, diversifications, and environmental and phylogenetic transitions) in the history of life.
LO6.
Understand critical issues in evolutionary and ecological theory, including competition, evolutionary mechanisms, natural and species selection, extinction, progress, escalation, and conservation biology.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Examination |
Mid-semester examination
|
20% |
2/09/2024
In person, run at the same time as the Monday Contact session. |
| Examination |
Final Exam
|
50% |
End of Semester Exam Period 2/11/2024 - 16/11/2024 |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Practical/ Demonstration, Quiz |
Applied practical exercises
|
30% |
5/08/2024 - 21/10/2024
See Blackboard for details |
Assessment details
Mid-semester examination
- In-person
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 20%
- Due date
2/09/2024
In person, run at the same time as the Monday Contact session.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06
Task description
A 45 minute examination held mid-way during the second semester. Examination covers theoretical and practical aspects, as well as assigned readings.
To pass this course you must acheive 50% or above in the final exam.
Exam details
| Planning time | no planning time minutes |
|---|---|
| Duration | 45 minutes |
| Calculator options | (In person) Casio FX82 series or UQ approved , labelled calculator only |
| Open/closed book | Closed Book examination - no written materials permitted |
| Exam platform | Paper based |
| Invigilation | Invigilated in person |
Submission guidelines
Submit at the end of the exam
Deferral or extension
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Final Exam
- In-person
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 50%
- Due date
End of Semester Exam Period
2/11/2024 - 16/11/2024
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06
Task description
Final 2-hour examination held during the second semester examination period. Examination covers theory and prac, assigned readings, group discussion sessions and fieldtrips from the entire semester, weighted toward 2nd half of the semester but will also include some of the overarching themes covered through the semester.
To pass this course you must acheive 50% or above in the final exam.
Exam details
| Planning time | 10 minutes |
|---|---|
| Duration | 120 minutes |
| Calculator options | (In person) Casio FX82 series or UQ approved , labelled calculator only |
| Open/closed book | Closed Book examination - no written materials permitted |
| Exam platform | Paper based |
| Invigilation | Invigilated in person |
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
Late submission
You will receive a mark of 0 if this assessment is submitted late.
Applied practical exercises
- In-person
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Practical/ Demonstration, Quiz
- Weight
- 30%
- Due date
5/08/2024 - 21/10/2024
See Blackboard for details
- Other conditions
- Time limited.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06
Task description
There will be four applied practical exercise assessments, cumulatively weighted at 30%. They are:
Prac Quiz 1 (5%; Week 3): This will focus on deposits and fossils*.
Prac Quiz 2 (5%; Week 6): This will focus on bacteria and invertebrates*.
*Please note: Quizzes are based on content in previous class sessions. Prac quizzes will consist of short-answer responses and will require critical thinking. More information will be given about the quizzes during the semester.
Dinmore fossil site reconstruction (10%; Weeks 9 and 10). The exercise includes a fieldtrip to a local fossil deposit (Week 9) and an in-class activity (Week 10). The assessment will be based on notes taken during the fieldtrip and an analysis of specimens collected. Additional details will be released on Blackboard during the semester.
Megafauna site reconstruction (10%; Week 13). The exercise includes an in-class analysis of a fossil assemblage. The assessment will be based on notes, observations, and interpretations given. Additional details will be released on Blackboard during the semester.
To pass this course you must acheive 50% or above in the final exam.
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The minimum percentage required for this grade is: 0% |
| 2 (Fail) |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The student demonstrates limited understanding of the theory of the topics listed in the course profile and demonstrates limited knowledge of the techniques used to solve problems. This includes attempts at expressing their deductions and explanations and attempts to answer a few questions accurately. The minimum percentage required for this grade is: 30% |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes Course grade description: <p>The student demonstrates some understanding of the theory of the topics listed in the course profile and demonstrates a knowledge of the techniques used to solve problems. The minimum percentage required for this grade is: 45% |
| 4 (Pass) |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: <p>The student demonstrates an understanding of the theory of the topics listed in the course profile and demonstrates a knowledge of the techniques used to solve problems. A student satisfying this criterion will achieve a final mark between 49.5-64.4% and 50% or more on the final exam. To pass this course you must acheive 50% or above in the final exam. |
| 5 (Credit) |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: <p>The student demonstrates a good understanding of the theory of the topics listed in the course profile and can apply the techniques to solve problems. The student shows enthusiasm in group discussion sessions. A student satisfying this criterion will achieve a final mark between 64.5-74.4% and 50% or more on the final exam To pass this course you must acheive 50% or above in the final exam.</p> |
| 6 (Distinction) |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: <p>The student demonstrates a comprehensive understanding of the theory of the topics listed in the course profile and is proficient in applying the techniques to solve both theoretical and practical problems. The student shows enthusiasm and insight in group discussion sessions. A student satisfying this criterion will achieve a final mark between 74.5-84.4% and 50% or more on the final exam. To pass this course you must acheive 50% or above in the final exam.</p> |
| 7 (High Distinction) |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: <p>The student demonstrates an excellent understanding of the theory of the topics listed in the course outline and is highly proficient in applying the techniques to solve both theoretical and practical problems. The student shows consistent enthusiasm and continual insight in group discussion sessions. A student satisfying this criterion will achieve a final mark between 84.5%+ and 50% or more on the final exam. To pass this course you must acheive 50% or above in the final exam.</p> |
Additional course grading information
To pass this course you must achieve 50% or above in the final exam.
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Should you fail a course with a grade of 3, you may be eligible for supplementary assessment. Refer to my.UQ for information on supplementary assessment and how to apply.
Supplementary assessment provides an additional opportunity to demonstrate you have achieved all the required learning outcomes for a course.
If you apply and are granted supplementary assessment, the type of supplementary assessment set will consider which learning outcome(s) have not been met.
Supplementary assessment can take any form (such as a written report, oral presentation, examination or other appropriate assessment) and may test specific learning outcomes tailored to the individual student, or all learning outcomes.
To receive a passing grade of 3S4, you must obtain a mark of 50% or more on the supplementary assessment.
Additional assessment information
Applications for Extensions
Information on applying for an extension can be found here - my.UQ Applying for an extension
Extension applications must be received by the assessment due date and time.
If you are unable to provide documentation to support your application by the due date and time you must still submit your application on time and attach a Word document outlining why you cannot provide the documentation and upload the documentation to the portal within 24 hours.
Please note: While your extension request is being considered, you should work towards completing and submitting your assessment as soon as possible.
If you have been ill or unable to attend class for more than 4 weeks in a semester, we advise you to carefully consider whether you are capable of successfully completing your courses. You might need to consider applying for removal of course. We strongly recommend you seek advice from the Faculty that administers your program.
Extensions with Student Access Plans (SAP)
For extensions up to 7 days, your SAP is all that is required as documentation to support your application. However, extension requests longer than 7 days (for any one assessment item) will require the submission of additional supporting documentation e.g., a medical certificate. A maximum of two applications may be submitted for any one assessment item, unless exceptional circumstances can be demonstrated. All extension requests must be received by the assessment due date and time.
Final exam
A prerequisite of passing the course is that you must also pass the final exam (50% or better).
Deferred examinations
For information on applying for deferred examinations please visit: https://my.uq.edu.au/node/189/4
More information on the University’s assessment policy may be found here: https://policies.uq.edu.au/document/view-current.php?id=134
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
The assessment tasks in this course evaluate students’ abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Students are advised that the use of AI technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Turnitin
By submitting work through Turnitin you are deemed to have accepted the following declaration “I certify that this assignment is my own work and has not been submitted, either previously or concurrently, in whole or in part, to this University or any other educational institution, for marking or assessment.”
All students must ensure they receive their Turnitin receipt on submission of any assessments. A valid Turnitin receipt will be the only evidence accepted if assessments are missing. Without evidence, the assessment will receive the standard late penalty, or after five days, will receive zero.
In the case of a Blackboard outage, please contact the Course Coordinator as soon as possible to confirm the outage with ITS.
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Find the required and recommended resources for this course on the UQ Library website.
Additional learning resources information
Learning resources: In addition to readings from the course textbook, references will be recommended by individual lecturers.
Course cost: In addtion to usual course costs, there is also a one ﾠhalf-day fieldtrip.ﾠThe trip is assessable. The cost of the tripﾠis approximately $20-30 (to be confirmed nearer to the time).
Additional costs
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
Fieldtrip |
Approximate cost of $20-30 |
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Multiple weeks From Week 1 To Week 13 |
General contact hours |
Contact 5 hours of contact per week, which will be spent working through notes, answering questions, discussing content, and examining samples. This time will be divided into two live online 'Contacts' of 1 and 2 hours duration, respectively, and one 2 hour face-to-face 'Contact' each week. See Additional Timetable Information of course for a general week-to-week topic outline. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06 |
Week 9 (16 Sep - 22 Sep) |
Fieldwork |
Fieldtrip to the Dinmore fossil plant locality Students will participate in a half-day fieldtrip to a World-class fossil plant site. The trip is compulsory for all students. Results from the fieldtrip will form part of the assessment of the follow-up Dinmore fossil plant practical. The fieldtrip fee will be $20-30 per student. More information will be emailed to students. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L04 |
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments - Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.