Paleoecology

Undergraduate

How organisms have interacted with one another and the environment has changed dramatically through the history of life. The species and ecosystems we see today, with their myriad interactions and influences, are in many ways very unusual in a historical context. What’s more, the evolution of ecosystems has profoundly shaped and driven the evolution of species and the earth system over billions of years. For students of (macro)evolution, geobiology, paleontology, and earth system science, a foundation in paleoecology is essential for understanding the dynamics and drivers of these interrelated systems. To this end, this course is designed to provide students with i) a basic literacy in core concepts of paleoecology, ii) deeper insights into a few major topics, and iii) basic analytical methods with which to ask and answer novel questions of the fossil record. Prerequisite: EPS 1250 , BIOL 1040 , or permission of the instructor. SC MW 2:35pm-3:50pm