Geology 205: Age of the Dinosaurs - General Info

Instructor:
Dr. Colin D. Sumrall
212 Earth and Planetary Sciences Building (EPS)
csumrall@utk.edu

Office Hours: T, W. 10:00–11:00
and by appointment (974-0400)

Overview: The fascination the public holds for dinosaurs make these reptiles an ideal vehicle for investigation larger issues in science such as the nature of the scientific method, ecology, evolutionary theory, extinction, and vertebrate anatomy. In this course, we will separate dinosaur fact from the fiction and unsubstantiated fabrications that are so rampant in the lay understanding of dinosaurs, and portray why dinosaurs are truly the kings of the reptiles.

Tentative Lecture Schedule:
The tentative Lecture Schedule (PDF 44K)

Study Guide and Test Info:
Study Guide One (PDF 36K)
Test One Diagrams (PDF 9.6M)

Class Meetings: Students enrolled in 205 are expected to attend all lectures; it is my experience that those who miss lectures will be at a significant disadvantage when the Midterms and Final Exam are taken.

Lectures: Lectures will concentrate largely on material, which is covered in the text. However, some additional reading material will be made available to supplement the text.

Required Textbook: The Evolution and Extinction of the Dinosaurs (2nd edition) by David E. Fastovsky and David B. Weishampel, Cambridge University Press (2005), ISBN 10 0-521-81172-4

Reading Assignments: In preparation for each class meeting, all students will be expected to have completed readings indicated in the Syllabus and Lecture Information.

Exams: There are two midterms and a final exam (non-cumulative except that new information is built upon subjects previously covered in class). Midterms will be given during the regular class meeting time, and the final will be given during finals week. The midterms and final may consist of short answer, multiple choice, and short essay questions. They will cover material presented in lectures and associated reading assignments. No books or papers are allowed during the exams.

Grading: Grades are based on a curve. Final grades will be based on a total of 350 points distributed as follows:

Midterm I = Midterm II = Final Exam = Quizzes and assignments =

100 points 100 points 100 points 50 points

Disabilities: Students who have a disability that require accommodation(s) should make an appointment with the Office of Disability Services (974-6087) to discuss their specific needs as well as schedule an appointment with me during my office hours.