Evolution and the origins of life 1400-236EPŻ

Course lecture:
During this lecture, we will attempt to show the current state of nature in the context of its history. Starting from our knowledge of humans, animals, and plants today, and using retrodiction as a method of reasoning, we will look back into our planet’s past to explain the evolutionary trends we observe. We will attempt to link the history of humanity and nature with environmental changes. We will discuss both real and presumed ecological catastrophes in the distant geological past.
We will trace the evolutionary lineages of plants and animals back to the origins of life on Earth. Finally, we will examine hypotheses about the mechanisms that governed evolution at a level with no analog in today’s organisms—when there were no genes or enzymes, and when the energy sources driving life were unlike those we know today.

Course laboratories:
The purpose of the exercises is to guide students through the full research process, from collecting fossil samples in the field to producing both graphical and textual analyses in the form of an essay. Simultaneously, students are introduced to a wide range of methods for studying fossilized remains, from trace fossils to complete skeletons. Each exercise focuses on different methods for examining fossil material and interpreting results, particularly in the context of reconstructing organismal biology, phylogeny, and local and global environmental conditions in which the organisms lived.
The exercises are designed to provide students with direct hands-on experience with fossil material and to develop practical skills, both specific to paleontology and more generally applicable to biology. These include refining scientific methodology for future theses, conference posters, and publications. Among general skills, students learn sample preparation, the use of a scanning electron microscope, morphometric measurement techniques, as well as the preparation of photographic documentation and scientific illustrations.

The course includes a mandatory full-day field trip, 13 small-group laboratories, and individual work sessions. During the field trip, students visit two paleontological sites and are tasked with collecting fossil material, which will form the basis of the final assessment. Small-group laboratories consist of an introductory lecture followed by independent work on teaching collections or on fossils collected by the students themselves. During individual sessions, students apply learned methods to prepare their final assignment. Students summarize their work in an essay, which serves as the course’s final assessment. Throughout the course, students acquire the knowledge and skills necessary for completing these tasks successfully.

Field trip: The field trip is a full-day activity and takes place on a scheduled exercise day. During the trip, students visit two selected paleontological sites in or near the Świętokrzyskie Mountains.
- As the trip takes place regardless of weather conditions, all participants must bring appropriate clothing, including waterproof jackets.
- Sites may include active or inactive mining areas, so participants should be prepared for dirt and uneven terrain.
- Closed-toe field footwear (sneakers, trekking, or hiking boots) is required.
- Safety equipment (helmets, gloves, protective glasses) and tools (hammers, chisels) are provided by instructors.
Exact dates and site locations will be announced during exercises. Attendance is mandatory.

Topics covered during laboratories:
- Taphonomy – fossil formation and preservation states
- Basics of sedimentary rock analysis
- Trace fossils, fossil tracks, and other evidence of organism activity
- Mechanical and chemical fossil preparation
- Quantitative analysis of fossil assemblages
- Scientific illustration and 3D visualization methods (including tomography and spectroscopy)
- Use of scanning electron microscopy
- Phylogenetic tree construction
- Fossil DNA