Great extinctions in the context of contemporary climate change 1300-TWWZK
The student selects a stratigraphic range of interest in consultation with the tutor. Further student work focuses on the selected extinction period. Tutor assists in literature selection and watches over the logic of inference and formulating conclusions by the student. During the individual discussion meetings, the student, after prior familiarization with the literature, presents a range of issues, and then the conversation takes place on this topic. Its purpose is to develop the student's ability to ask questions, formulate longer oral talks using correct scientific terminology and the ability to build coherent conclusions.
The aim of the course is to highlight the variety of factors and processes that, in the light of recent research, may have led to the extinction of the organic world in the geological past. The aim is also to draw attention to contemporary climatic and environmental changes in the context of future potential effects on the organic world and possibilities of their prevention. Among the causes analyzed, emphasis will be placed on geochemical and isotopic methods of study (especially oxygen and carbon isotopes), on changes in ocean circulation, on the formation of large volcanic traps, as well as geological processes resulting in climatic changes such as glaciations or climate warming, and finally meteoritic impacts. The number of taxa and the taxonomic level of organisms affected by extinction will be considered in relation to the rate of subsequent recovery of faunas. Sepkoski curve will be discussed. Examples of contemporary environmental threats caused by natural factors or human activity will be analyzed.
Type of course
Prerequisites (description)
Course coordinators
Learning outcomes
Bachelor Degree
Knowledge: graduate knows and understands
K_W11 knows the main stages of Earth history including paleogeographic, biotic and facial transformations; P6S_WG.
K_W12 has general knowledge of fossil organisms (invertebrates, vertebrates, plants and microorganisms), knows basic fossils characteristic for all Phanerozoic systems; P6S_WG.
Abilities: graduate is able to
K_U02 know how to use a computer proficiently in the use and handling of Office application software; he/she has basic skills in handling and using graphical and computational programs;P6S_UK; P6S_UO; P6S_UU.
K_U08 is able to analyze fossil record of sedimentary processes and reconstruct their course, recognizes sedimentary structures and is able to draw conclusions about the environment of formation of rocks containing them; according to the principle of geological actualism, reconstructs and compares sedimentary environments on a local and regional scale; P6S_UW.
K_U10 is able to label fossils to the level of cluster, recognize the types learned in class and determine on their basis the age of rocks; P6S_UW.
K_U14 is able to recognize and evaluate the quality characteristics of individual elements of natural environment, evaluate the extent of environmental transformations, and select tools to evaluate the quality of environment; P6S_UW; P6S_UO.
Social competences: graduate is ready to
K_K02 know how to plan the preparatory stages of making presentations and assignments; P6S_KO
K_K05 understands the need to present the latest geological knowledge in presentations and credit works; P6S_KK.
K_K07 understands the need for lifelong learning; P6S_KK; P6S_KO.
K_K09 cares about reliability and credibility of his/her work; P6S_KR.
Second Degree Studies
Knowledge: graduate knows and understands
K_W12 knows the basics of methods allowing to present research results in a statistical view. He knows methods of referencing research results and referencing the state of the knowledge related to this research on the basis of the existing domestic and foreign literature; he knows and correctly uses terms in a foreign language (English) in the field of geology, with particular emphasis on the terminology related to the implementation of European standards; P7S_WG.; P7S_WK.
K_W14 has in-depth knowledge of the connections between fields of science and scientific disciplines specific to his/her field of study and other fields of science and scientific disciplines of the area, or areas, from which his/her field of study has been selected, allowing for the integration of the perspectives characteristic of several scientific disciplines;P7S_WG, P7S_WK.
Abilities: graduate is able to
K_U04 analyze in an independent way the collected scientific material, interpret the obtained results and draw adequate conclusions
based on own experiences and the latest literature data; P7S_UW
K_U08 is able to interpret the results of research independently and have his/her own opinion on the differences in opinions; he/she can efficiently use a variety of Polish and foreign professional literature and critically evaluate its contents; he/she can refer the results of research and the state of knowledge related to this research on the basis of existing Polish and foreign literature using multimedia techniques; he/she can write a research paper in Polish; P7S_UW, P7S_UK, P7S_UU.
Social competences: graduate is prepared to
K_K01 The graduate is ready to continuously improve their professional competences and to find new technologies in order to solve research problems by familiarizing with professional literature and legal acts; P7S_KK.
K_K05 is able to present and explain the social and environmental aspects of practical application of the acquired knowledge and skills, also in terms of existing risks and possible environmental hazards; P7S_KK.
K_K06 communicates effectively with specialists and society in oral, written and by multimedia presentation of research results; P7S_KKK; P7S_KO
Assessment criteria
The basis for the assessment is the control of attendance of students at all meetings each time documented by the tutee with a brief report and a literature list posted by the tutor on the Kampus platform. The final grade consists of a continuous evaluation of the student's work, in addition to a final essay, report, article manuscript or poster presenting the issue under development. Independently, the student is required to give a short presentation summarizing the tutorial at a plenary session of all tutees and their tutors. This session takes place at the end of the academic year in which the subject is taught.
Practical placement
Not required
Notes
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Term 2023:
Classes follow the rules for taking tutorials in the Faculty of Geology. |
Additional information
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: