Jan. 25 Introduction to the Course; "Fearfully Great Lizards"
and the Discovery of the Dinosaurs
Readings: Chaps. 1, 2
Jan. 30 Introduction to the Dinosaurs; Scientific Research Examined
Reading: "The Nature of Science", from
Science for All Americans Online
Feb. 1 The Earth Engine and Deep Time
Reading: Chap. 5
Feb. 6 The Fossil Record
Reading: Chaps. 13-15
Feb. 8 Comparative Anatomy, Homology & Analogy
Reading: Chap. 3
Feb. 13 Group Project I: Eaters and Eatees
DUE: Critical Review I
Feb. 15 Evolution
Feb. 20 Phylogenetics
Reading: Chap. 4
Feb. 22 Dinosaurs in the Tree of Life
Reading: Chap. 3
Feb. 24 (Saturday) Field Trip: Smithsonian Institution National Museum of Natural History
Feb. 27 Group Project 2: Trace Fossil Analysis
DUE: Critical Review 2
Mar. 1 Dinosaur Diversity I: Ornithischia I
Mar. 6 Dinosaur Diversity II: Ornithischia II; Sauropodomorpha I
Mar. 8 Dinosaur Diversity III: Sauropodomorpha II; Theropoda I
Mar. 13 Dinosaur Diversity IV: Theropoda II
Mar. 15 Mid-Term Exam
Mar. 19-23 Spring Break
Mar. 27 Dinosaur Terrestrial Locomotion
Reading: Chap. 14
Mar. 29 Dinosaur Aerial Locomotion
Reading: Chap. 11
Apr. 3 Dinosaur Behavior
Reading: Chap. 9
Apr. 5 Group Project 3: Fuctional Anatomy and Biomechanics
DUE: Critical Review 3
Apr. 10 Dinosaur Eggs and Babies
Apr. 12 Dinosaur Physiology I
Reading: Chap. 10
Apr. 17 Dinosaur Physiology II
Apr. 19 Group Project IV: Dinosaur Growth and Behavior
DUE: Critical Review 4
Apr. 24 Denizens of the World of the Dinosaurs
Reading: Chaps. 7, 8
Apr. 26 Cretaceous/Paleogene Extinction I: Cast of Characters and Basic Principles
Reading: Chap. 12
May 1 Cretaceous/Paleogene Extinction II: Alternative Models Examined
May 3 Group Project 5: The Cretaceous/Paleogene Extinction and Recovery
DUE: Critical Review 5
May 8 After the Dinosaurs; From Field to Museum
Reading: Chap. 15
May 10 Dinosaurs in Popular Culture; The Future of Dinosaur Research
Reading: DSS Chap. 16-20
May 16 (THURSDAY!!) FINAL EXAM, CCC 1111, 1:30-3:30 pm
[PLEASE NOTE: Final Schedule according to Schedule of Classes, Spring 2007 First Edition. Consult Final Edition for actual time and date, if any changes. Changes have been known to happen!]
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