Palaeontology
| Title | ΠΑΛΑΙΟΝΤΟΛΟΓΙΑ / Palaeontology |
| Code | NGGG 204Υ |
| Faculty | Sciences |
| School | Geology |
| Cycle / Level | 1st / Undergraduate |
| Teaching Period | Spring |
| Coordinator | Dimitrios Kostopoulos |
| Common | No |
| Status | Active |
| Course ID | 600019019 |
Programme of Study: PPS-Tmīma Geōlogías (2020-sīmera)
Registered students: 123
| Orientation | Attendance Type | Semester | Year | ECTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KORMOS | Compulsory Course | 2 | 1 | 7 |
| Academic Year | 2024 – 2025 |
| Class Period | Spring |
| Faculty Instructors |
|
| Class ID | 600266792
|
Course Type 2011-2015
Specific Foundation / Core
Mode of Delivery
- Face to face
Digital Course Content
- e-Study Guide https://qa.auth.gr/en/class/1/600266792
- eLearning (Moodle): https://elearning.auth.gr/course/view.php?id=635
- OpenCourses (eClass): https://opencourses.auth.gr/courses/OCRS400/
Erasmus
The course is also offered to exchange programme students.
Language of Instruction
- Greek (Instruction, Examination)
- English (Instruction, Examination)
Learning Outcomes
At the end of the course the student will be able to:
1) recognize the basic principles and rules governing paleontology
2) compare, explain and distinguish the stages in the evolution of plant, invertebrate and vertebrate organisms
3) relate the macro-evolution of organisms to the main geological-geomorphological and climatic changes in the history of the planet.
4) develops skills in fossil identification (in the laboratory and field), and in the classification, use, utilisation and synthesis of palaeontological data in solving geological and evolutionary problems either individually or in groups.
5) distinguish, recognize and identify fossils in the field, appreciate and adopt scientific assumptions about how they are collected, and become aware of their importance in interpreting broader geological problems and in matters of protection and enhancement of geological heritage.
General Competences
- Apply knowledge in practice
- Retrieve, analyse and synthesise data and information, with the use of necessary technologies
- Work autonomously
- Work in teams
- Respect natural environment
- Advance free, creative and causative thinking
Course Content (Syllabus)
• Histοry of Paleontology. Fossils-Fossilization. Taphonomy. Types of Fossil accumulations-excavation-preservation. Systematics & Taxonomy – the paleontological species concept.
• Palaeogeographic evolution of Earth, early history of Life, mass extinction. Fossils & Geological time.
• Invertebrate Palaeontology: Sponges, Archaeocyaths, Brachiopods, Corals, Bivalves, Gastropods, Cephalopods, Echinoderms, Trilobites, Graptolites
• Vertebrate Palaeontology: Fishes, Amphibians, Reptiles, Aves, Mammals, Human evolution
• Significance - use of fossils in dating and reconstructing past environments. The Greek Fossil Record
Keywords
Palaeontology, Invertebrates, Vertebrates, Systematics, Macroevolution, Life’s History, Palaeoecology/Palaeoenvironment
Educational Material Types
- Video lectures
- Multimedia
- Interactive excersises
- Book
Use of Information and Communication Technologies
Use of ICT
- Use of ICT in Course Teaching
- Use of ICT in Laboratory Teaching
- Use of ICT in Communication with Students
Description
1) All class material is available in electronic form to all students through the course web page
2) The teacher communicates with students through email and Facebook
3) The class evaluation is performed through the Quality Assurance Unit (MO.DI.P.)
Course Organization
| Activities | Workload | ECTS | Individual | Teamwork | Erasmus |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lectures | 78 | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Laboratory Work | 65 | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Fieldwork | 20 | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Reading Assigment | 9 | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Exams | 3 | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Total | 175 |
Student Assessment
Description
1. Written (final) Examination with short answer questions with topics from both theory and laboratories. It constitutes 100% of the total score.
Student Assessment methods
- Written Exam with Multiple Choice Questions (Summative)
- Written Exam with Short Answer Questions (Summative)
- Written Exam with Extended Answer Questions (Summative)
- Written Exam with Problem Solving (Summative)
- Labortatory Assignment (Formative)
Bibliography
Course Bibliography (Eudoxus)
Δ. Κωστόπουλος & Γ. Κουφός, Η Εξέλιξη του Εμβιου Κόσμου-Χορδωτά, 2015, Ελληνικά Ακαδημαϊκά Συγγράμματα και Βοηθήματα
Γ. Κουφος. Παλαιοντολογία Σπονδυλωτών, 2004, Εκδ. Ζήτη
Additional bibliography for study
Γ. Συρίδη, Σημειώσεις Παλαιοντολογίας Ασπονδύλων, 2007-2008
Last Update
13-06-2025
