MICROPALEONTOLOGY
cod. 23314

Academic year 2022/23
3° year of course - First semester
Professor
Elena TURCO
Academic discipline
Paleontologia e paleoecologia (GEO/01)
Field
Ambito geologico-paleontologico
Type of training activity
Characterising
55 hours
of face-to-face activities
6 credits
hub: PARMA
course unit
in ITALIAN

Learning objectives

By the end of the course the student is expected to know and understand the principles of the classical Micropaleontology and its more recent applications within Earth Sciences. Specifically, the student should be able to: 1) know and understand the general features of the microfossil
groups; 2) know and understand the applications of the microfossil groups within the stratigraphic, paleoenvironmental and paleoclimatic
reconstructions of sedimentary successions; 3) apply the knowledge of the basic principles of taxonomic classification through microscope
observation

Prerequisites

Knowledge of Paleontology

Course unit content

Concepts of Micropaleontology, main microfossil groups and their applications in Geosciences

Full programme

Introduction to Micropaleontology
Principles and methods of biostratigraphic analysis using microfossils
Principles of Oceanography: Surficial and deep oceanic circulation and marine sediments
General features and applications of the following groups of microfossils:
- calcareous microfossils: Nannofossils, Foraminifera and Ostracods;
- siliceous microfossils: Diatoms, Silicoflagellates, Radiolaria;
- organic wall microfossils: Dinoflagellates;
- other groups: Acritarchs, Conondonts, Calpionellids and Tintinnids
Practicals dealing with analysis of stratigraphic sections, sampling methods, biostratigraphic interpretations, methods of sample preparation for the micropaleontological analysis of foraminiferal and nannofossil assemblages (in laboratory) and principles of taxonomic classification of foraminifera (microscope)

Bibliography

Material used in the lectures (slides, scientific papers)

Armstrong H.A. & Brasier M.D. 2005. Microfossils. Blackwell. Publishing
Pinet P.R., 2006. Invitation to Oceanography. Jones & Bartlett.

Teaching methods

Frontal lectures using multimedial tools in classroom and practical lessons in laboratory and at microscope. In case of health emergency, teaching methods could be modified.
The slides of the lessons will be uploaded weekly on the Elly platform. Online registration at the course is required to download the slides.
The slides are a fundamental part of the teaching material. For students not attending, it is important to check the available teaching materials
and guidelines provided by the teachers through Elly.

Assessment methods and criteria

The final evaluation will take into account:
- results of the practicals
- oral exam to verify the knowledge and understanding, the capability of applying knowledge and understanding regarding the topics treated during the course and the communication skills.

Other information

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2030 agenda goals for sustainable development

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