3 ECTS credits
75 h study time
Offer 1 with catalog number 4012989ENR for all students in the 2nd semester at a (E) Master - advanced level.
This course covers the environmental conditions that existed on the early Earth when life originated more than 3 billion years ago. The paleontological and geochemical evidences supporting the first traces of life are critically examined and evaluated. It is also important to understand events such as the emergence of photosynthesis around 2.5 billion years ago, and the rise of O2 in the atmosphere. The course will also cover in details the late Proterozoic environments and the succession of events that led to the Cambrian explosion of life. The latter is characterized by the first but already highly diversified 'hard body' organisms, which produce a good fossil record. Major mass extinctions and climatic changes that have affected the evolution of life during the Phanerozoic, and in particular, to the Cretaceous-Tertiary event that marked the demise of the dinosaurs, deserve special attention. Consequently, their causes (meteorite impact, volcanism, cooling), mechanisms and consequences (radiation, selectivity of organisms etc) will be examined and discussed in class. Other topics will include: plate tectonic and biogeography; how and why CO2 or O2 concentration changes through time and their implication for organisms (biomass, C cycle); the conditions leading to the onset of glaciations; the evolution of specific environmental condition (ex. reef) throughout geological time, paleoclimate, punctuated equilibrium, etc.
In this course, the students will also be familiarized with the field and analytical techniques used in paleobiology and paleoceanography to reconstruct paleoenvironments, document the evolution of life and extract information from the fossil record (such as stable isotopes, trace elements, biomarkers, radiometric dating etc).
Guest speakers will eventually be invited to cover specific topics in more details, such as mass extinctions, dinosaurs diversity etc.
The goal of this course is to maximize student participation, through reading of articles and group discussion in class. Consequently, controversial topics and critical thinking will be emphasized. There presence and class activity is part of the final evaluation
See the learning platform for a list of reference books provided such as:
From Suns to Life: A Chronological Approach to the History of Life, M. Gargaud, Ph. Claeys, P. Lopez-Garcia, H. Martin, T. Montmerle, R. Pascal & J. Reisse, Springer 2006, 370 p. ISBN 0-387-45082-7
Lectures in Astrobiology I (2005) & II (2006) both published by Springer.
History of life, R. Cowen, 2004, Blackwell Science
T-rex and the crater of Doom, W. Alvarez, 1997, Princeton Press
Wonderful life, S. J. Gould, 1989, W.W. Norton & Co. 347 p. ISBN 0-393-02705-8
etc.
A long list of article in pdf format will be made available online, this list is updated every year with recent articles.
Creationism and intelligent design are gaining support ! It is thus of paramount importance that the coming generation of scientists do understand the basic concepts of the origin of life and its evolution through geological time, between the formation of planet Earth 4.567 billion years ago and today.
The final grade is composed based on the following categories:
LEC Presentation determines 70% of the final mark.
LEC Practical Assignment determines 30% of the final mark.
Within the LEC Presentation category, the following assignments need to be completed:
Within the LEC Practical Assignment category, the following assignments need to be completed:
Class participation and discussion of the presentations given by the teacher or invited speaker count for 30% of the final grade.
If class participation by the students is deemed insufficient, the students will be evaluated by an online quiz for 30% of the final grade.
End of semester student presentation in English on a topic selected among the provided list, eventually students themselves can propose topics that fit in the course - 70% of final grade.
Eventually, at student request, an oral exam can replace the debate & student presentation evaluations.
This offer is part of the following study plans:
Master of Biology: Ecology and Biodiversity (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Biology: Education (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Biology: Ecology and Biodiversity
Master of Teaching in Science and Technology: biologie (120 ECTS, Etterbeek) (only offered in Dutch)