Paleobiology studies biological processes occurring at geological time scales. After introducing the main features of the fossil record, other aspects, such as the analysis of organic form, the role of the fossil record on the development of modern Evolutionary Theory, or the analysis of paleoecological and paleobiogeographical processes from an evolutionary perspective, are considered. An specific section is reserved for an overview of the evolution of biodiversity over geologic time, establishing the different relationships that allow us to understand our planet as a system.
The subject has a strong conceptual focus, leaving more descriptive issues (Systematic Paleontology) for the workshops and laboratory sessions.
Contingency plan
SCENARIO A: OUTBREAK
1. Modifications to the contents
The contents will not be modified, but the description of the main fossil groups making up the labs will be adjusted to the limitations imposed by online teaching.
2. Methodologies
*Teaching methodologies that are maintained
Lectures
Workshops
Labs
Tests (but see below)
*Teaching methodologies to be modified
All teaching methodologies will be adapted to an online style. This means that lectures, workshops, and labs will be adapted to online delivery. Tests, which constitute the basis of the continuous assessment, will also be taken by the students online, unless monitoring of test cheating by the lecturers cannot be guaranteed (see below). If this is the case, the continuous assessment will be cancelled, and grading will rely on the results of the final exams of January and/or July.
3. Mechanisms for personalized attention to students
Personalized attention will be provided online, preferentially via UDC’s implemented Microsoft Teams. Moodle and Email will also be used.
4. Changes in assessment
Online testing on a continuous basis will be the preferred choice, unless monitoring of test cheating cannot be guaranteed. If this is the case, the continuous assessment will be cancelled, and grading will rely on the results of the final exams (January and/or July calls). More weight will be given to the lecture’s contents in the final grade, as follows:
Lectures: 75%
Workshops: 10%
Labs: 15%
*Assessment observations:
It is mandatory to part-time students, according to the UDC norm “Norma que regula o réxime de dedicación dos estudantes de grao na UDC (arts. 2.3; 3.b e 4.5) (29/5/2012), that they have an 80% attendance to the course activities. All students in this condition should ask the lecturers in advance for an appointment to explain their specific situations.
5. Modifications to the bibliography or webgraphy
None
SCENARIO B: MAXIMUM CAPACITY OF CLASSROOM EXCEEDED
In case that the maximum capacity of the classroom is exceeded, there were will be an auxiliary classroom where the students will receive the corresponding online class in real time. This also applies to the workshops. In this case the materials used for the classroom activities will be shared by the two groups of students. For the case of the laboratory activities, since no auxiliary lab will be available, there will be an accordingly reduction in the number and/or content of the activities.
(*)The teaching guide is the document in which the URV publishes the information about all its courses. It is a public document and cannot be modified. Only in exceptional cases can it be revised by the competent agent or duly revised so that it is in line with current legislation.
Subjects
