1. What are the pre-requisites for this course?

Undergraduates:  The pre-requisites are Earth History 11042 and Earth History Lab 11043, and EITHER BSCI 20560 Invertebrate Zoology OR BSCI 10110

2. Do you take attendance?
University policy now requires that I take attendance. 

3.  There is so much material-how can I tell what is important?

Use the question of the day and the outline I give on the board during each lecture as a sure guide to what is important.  If I am spending time in the lecture on it, you are likely to see it on the midterms and final.

4. AARGH!!!  These fossil names!! How can I get control over these names?

    Pronunciation:  Generally, when pronouncing latin names, you are safe if you give each syllable the same weight.  So, for example, Isocypris quadrisetosa is simply I-so-cyp-ris quad-ri-se-to-sa.

    Remembering them:  Well, that’s just force of habit, usage, and getting familiar with the assemblages.  The more you associate their names and “faces”, the easier it will be to learn them.

5. I am an M.A.T. student with very little geology background, but a lot of biology/chemistry background.  How can I succeed in this class?

TYou may want to do some background reading/reviewing in one of those or in any standard earth history textbook (there are many volumes on this in the stacks at the library that are available to you).  Come talk with me about questions you have, so that I can direct you efficiently to information that will allow you to catch up.

6.  Is the field trip mandatory?  Yes, the field trip is a must for all students.  From time to time there are occasions when a student simply cannot do the trip because of illness or family commitments.  Alternative work can be assigned.  However, the field trip is part of the lab grade and part of the group presentation, and is really a critical experience for the course.  The fieldtrip is a one day, Saturday trip (see syllabus for date).   The location will be Caesar's Creek State Park.