Module #1 Course Introduction Overview of the field of paleontology, course objectives, and what to expect
Module #2 What is Paleontology? Definition, scope, and importance of paleontology, including its connections to other fields of science
Module #3 History of Paleontology Key figures, discoveries, and milestones in the development of paleontology as a scientific discipline
Module #4 Fossilization and the Fossil Record How fossils form, types of fossilization, and the significance of the fossil record
Module #5 Rock Cycle and Geological Time Scale Overview of the rock cycle, geological time scale, and how they relate to paleontology
Module #6 Types of Fossils Introduction to different types of fossils, including body fossils, trace fossils, and ichnofossils
Module #7 Fossil Collecting and Excavation Techniques Methods and best practices for collecting and excavating fossils in the field
Module #8 Fossil Preparation and Curation Techniques for preparing and conserving fossils for study and display
Module #9 Vertebrate Paleontology Introduction to the study of vertebrate fossils, including fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals
Module #10 Invertebrate Paleontology Introduction to the study of invertebrate fossils, including mollusks, echinoderms, and arthropods
Module #11 Microfossils and Micropaleontology Study of microscopic fossils, including foraminifera, radiolarians, and diatoms
Module #12 Paleobotany and Plant Evolution Introduction to the study of ancient plants and their role in Earths history
Module #13 Paleoecology and Paleoenvironments Reconstructing ancient ecosystems and environments using fossil evidence
Module #14 Biostratigraphy and Chronostratigraphy Using fossils to date rocks and reconstruct Earths history
Module #15 Mass Extinctions and Evolutionary Radiations The role of mass extinctions and evolutionary radiations in shaping the history of life on Earth
Module #16 Paleoclimate and Paleoceanography Reconstructing ancient climates and oceanography using fossil evidence
Module #17 Computational Paleontology and Phylogenetics Using computational methods to analyze fossil data and reconstruct evolutionary relationships
Module #18 Paleontology and Society The impact of paleontology on our understanding of the natural world and its relevance to contemporary issues
Module #19 Case Studies in Paleontology In-depth exploration of specific paleontological discoveries and their significance
Module #20 Paleontology in the Field Participating in a virtual fossil hunt and applying paleontological principles to real-world scenarios
Module #21 Paleontology and the Media The representation of paleontology in popular culture and its impact on public perception
Module #22 Controversies and Debates in Paleontology Exploring current debates and controversies in the field of paleontology
Module #23 Career Paths in Paleontology Exploring different career options and opportunities in paleontology
Module #24 Research Methods and Design Designing and conducting research projects in paleontology
Module #25 Course Wrap-Up & Conclusion Planning next steps in Introduction to Paleontology career
