GEOL3350: DINOSAURS - Lifestyles of the Big & Famous in the Mesozoic (call # 90-695)

Spring 2004

Instructor:

 Dr. R. P. Freeman-Lynde

Office:

Room 145 GG

Phone:

542-2391 (UGA),
354-1699 (home),
542-2652 (Geology office)

E-mail:

RFREEMAN@UGA.EDU

Office Hours:

 

8:30-10 A.M. and 1:30-3:30 P.M. daily; and by appointment

Web page:

HTTP://WWW.ARCHES.UGA.EDU/~RFREEMAN

Text: Introduction to the Study of Dinosaurs by Anthony J. Martin

Attendance. The following is from the University of Georgia Bulletin:

"Students are expected to attend class regularly. A student who incurs an excessive number of absences may be withdrawn (WF) from a class at the discretion of the professor."

Attendance is essential. I will allow 2 unexcused absences (including Drop-Add) through the middle of the semester (March 4). You will be dropped from class after I record a 3rd unexcused absence through March 4. You will not be dropped from the class for excess unexcused absences after March 4. However, I will deduct 5 points from your course average if you end the semester with 5 unexcused absences, and 5 additional points for each additional unexcused absence up to 10. You will receive an "F" for the course if you end the semester with 11 or more unexcused absences. Absences as a result of medical conditions, family emergencies, jury duty, or military duty will be excused when documented by an excuse from an appropriate official. Makeup Exams will be given only for students with excused absences. There will be NO makeup quizzes.

Course Grade:

 

% total grade

2 Mid-Term Exams (2/10 & 3/4)

45.0%

Comprehensive Final Exam (5/4)

35.0%

Book Report

7.5%

Video Study Guides

 5.0%

Unscheduled Quizzes

7.5%

 Total

100.0%

Assignments. Learn the geologic time scale (handout, and p. 4) for Quiz #1 & other exams. Know the names of the eras & periods, and the times for the beginning & end of the eras & Mesozoic periods.

Course Outline

 Lecture Topic

Text Reading 

Dates 

Definition of a Dinosaur

Chapter 1

January 8 - 13

Overview of Scientific Methods

Chapter 2

January 13 - 15

Paleontology and Geology as Sciences

Chapter 3

January 20 - 27

Importance of Knowing the History of Dinosaur
Studies

Chapter 4

January 29 ’Äì February 3

Dinosaur Bones: Their Formation, Names &
Features

Chapter 5

February 3 - 5

EXAM #1

-

February 10

Basic Concepts in Dinosaur Taphonomy

Chapter 6

February 12 - 17

Basic Information about Dinosaur Tracks

Chapter 7

February 17 - 19

Basic Information about Dinosaur Eggs & Nests

Chapter 8

February 24 - 26

Dinosaur Feeding Habits

Chapter 9

February 26 - March 2

EXAM #2

-

March 4

Break

-

March 9 - 11

Introduction to Dinosaur Evolution

Chapter 10

March 16 - 18

Overview of the Clade Theropoda

Chapter 11

March 23 - 25

Overview of the Clade Sauropodomorpha

Chapter 12