Precambrian and Paleozoic Paleontology

This lecture-seminar course covers selected topics in the early evolution of life. Special emphasis is placed on the appearance, taphonomy, evolution and utility of prokaryotic organisms as recorded in Precambrian and Phanerozoic microbialites and organic-walled microfossils, the early fossil record of protists and algae, fossil evidence of the Precambrian-Phanerozoic transition, and selected aspects of Paleozoic marine invertebrate paleontology. (lec 3, sem/lab 3) cr 3.