Paleontologist Course

Lesson 1 • Classification and Taxonomy

Covers Linnaean hierarchy and phylogenetic nomenclature for fossil organisms. Enables accurate identification and communication of specimens.

Lesson 2 • Basics of Fossilization

Explains taphonomic processes that convert organisms into fossils. Connects preservation mode to the quality and bias of the fossil record.

Lesson 3 • Scientific Method in Paleontology

Applies hypothesis testing and peer review to fossil-based research. Grounds all subsequent fieldwork and analysis in rigorous scientific practice.

Lesson 4 • History and Scope of Paleontology

Traces the discipline from early fossil collectors to modern science. Establishes why historical context shapes current research questions.

Lesson 1 • Structural Geology and Outcrop Reading

Introduces folds, faults, and unconformities as they affect fossil distribution. Prevents misinterpretation of stratigraphic position in deformed terrains.

Lesson 2 • Stratigraphic Mapping Techniques

Teaches measured section construction and correlation across outcrops. Produces accurate spatial records of fossil occurrences within a formation.

Lesson 3 • Geochronology Methods

Covers radiometric, magnetostratigraphic, and biostratigraphic dating tools. Allows precise age assignment to fossil-bearing horizons.

Lesson 4 • Rock Types and Fossil Potential

Distinguishes sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic rocks by fossil-bearing potential. Directs prospecting effort toward productive lithologies.

Lesson 1 • Pre-Field Planning and Permits

Covers literature review, map analysis, and regulatory permit acquisition. Ensures legal compliance and efficient use of field time before departure.

Lesson 2 • Field Safety and Environmental Ethics

Addresses hazards, first aid protocols, and minimal-impact field practices. Protects personnel and preserves site integrity for future researchers.

Lesson 3 • Field Documentation and Notebooks

Establishes standards for written, photographic, and sketch-based field records. Produces legally and scientifically defensible documentation of discoveries.

Lesson 4 • Surface Survey Strategies

Teaches transect, grid, and opportunistic survey designs for fossil detection. Matches survey design to terrain type and research objectives.

Lesson 1 • Hand Tools and Mechanical Equipment

Covers selection and safe use of picks, brushes, air scribes, and heavy machinery. Matches tool choice to matrix hardness and specimen fragility.

Lesson 2 • Excavation Planning and Grid Setup

Establishes site datum, grid systems, and excavation strategy before digging begins. Ensures spatial relationships among specimens are preserved throughout recovery.

Lesson 3 • Specimen Packaging and Transport

Covers labelling, padding, crating, and vehicle loading for safe specimen transport. Maintains specimen integrity and chain-of-custody from field to lab.

Lesson 4 • Consolidants and Field Stabilization

Introduces chemical consolidants and mechanical supports for fragile specimens. Prevents specimen loss during exposure and transport.

Lesson 1 • Mechanical Preparation Methods

Teaches use of air scribes, vibro-tools, and micro-blasters to remove matrix. Develops fine motor control for exposing delicate anatomical features.

Lesson 2 • Moulding and Casting

Produces silicone moulds and resin casts for research, education, and display. Enables specimen sharing without risking original material.

Lesson 3 • Chemical Preparation and Acid Techniques

Applies acetic and formic acid baths to dissolve carbonate matrix from bone. Requires strict safety protocols and neutralisation procedures.

Lesson 4 • Laboratory Setup and Safety

Establishes workspace organization, ventilation, and chemical handling protocols. Creates a safe, efficient environment for all preparation activities.

Lesson 1 • Plant and Microfossil Identification

Covers vascular plants, pollen, spores, foraminifera, and conodonts. Expands identification competency to groups critical for biostratigraphy.

Lesson 2 • Vertebrate Fossil Identification

Identifies fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals from skeletal elements. Develops comparative anatomy skills critical for vertebrate paleontology.

Lesson 3 • Anatomical Terminology and Orientation

Establishes directional terms, body planes, and skeletal nomenclature for major groups. Enables precise, unambiguous communication of morphological observations.

Lesson 4 • Invertebrate Fossil Identification

Covers key phyla including mollusks, echinoderms, arthropods, and corals. Builds identification skills for the most abundant fossil groups.

Lesson 1 • Paleoecological Guilds and Food Webs

Assigns organisms to feeding guilds and reconstructs trophic networks. Reveals community structure and energy flow in ancient ecosystems.

Lesson 2 • Taphonomy and Assemblage Interpretation

Distinguishes biological from physical biases in fossil assemblages. Corrects for taphonomic filters before drawing ecological conclusions.

Lesson 3 • Paleobiogeography

Maps fossil distributions to reconstruct ancient continental configurations and migration routes. Integrates plate tectonics with biogeographic patterns.

Lesson 4 • Mass Extinctions and Recovery

Analyzes causes, selectivity, and ecological recovery patterns of major extinction events. Contextualizes modern biodiversity loss within deep-time precedents.

Lesson 1 • Principles of Phylogenetic Inference

Introduces parsimony, maximum likelihood, and Bayesian methods for tree building. Establishes the logical basis for all subsequent phylogenetic work.

Lesson 2 • Molecular Clocks and Tip Dating

Integrates fossil calibration points with molecular data to estimate divergence times. Bridges morphological and genomic approaches to evolutionary timing.

Lesson 3 • Macroevolutionary Patterns and Rates

Quantifies speciation, extinction, and morphological evolution rates across lineages. Connects phylogenetic results to broader evolutionary theory.

Lesson 4 • Character Coding and Data Matrices

Teaches scoring morphological characters and constructing data matrices for analysis. Produces the primary input for all phylogenetic software.