Project Guidelines
Your project will consist of two parts: 1) written paper and 2) oral presentation in front of the class. Select one of the listed topics (on first come basis) before beginning of third class (see below for deadlines) and do thorough search of references in GEO REF database, our Library, Internet, or any other resources you know. Search for the references on your fossils that are more general, and deal with some specifics about fossil mineral composition, body structure, environmental habitat, index fossil significance, etc. Bring the list of 10 references to consult with me before the deadline (marked below). Once we discuss the references we will select three or four from the list. You will obtain those references through interlibrary loan, our library, or possibly from me. Carefully read all references and take many notes from those papers, making excerpts with marks of the page numbers, figures, tables, and graphs. Those notes will be basis for your paper, and all material used from the references should be cited in your paper. I will edit first draft of your paper, and after that you should be able to finish the paper in best possible way. The paper should be 5 pages in double spacing form, not including references, figures, graphs, and tables. The following aspects must be included in your paper:
- phylogeny
- morphology, feeding, reproduction
- mineralogy of hard parts, symmetry
- habitat and type of life (single or colonial)
- subdivisions
- geological significance
Once you know what your project topic is, begin the search for illustrations, images, graphs, and tables, which you will use in your PPT presentation. Power Point is very friendly and easy to learn, and if you have any problems with it I can help you. I will propose changes to your selection of material, but your selection is final. You will make a copy of your talk on a CD or a memory stick which I’ll transfer to computer and LCD projector. The length of your presentation should be around 15 minutes, to leave few minutes for questions.
Project topics
- Ammonites
- Bivalves
- Brachiopods
- Bryozoans
- Burgess Shale fauna
- Corals (Rugose)
- Corals (Tabulate)
- Corals (Scrleractinian)
- Crinoids
- Echinoids
- Foraminifera (Benthic)
- Foraminifera (Planktonic)
- Gastropods
- Gastropods (modern Bahamian)
- Ostracods
- Plants
- Sponges
- Trilobites
Important deadlines for successful project completion
January 16 – Project topic selected
January 25 – A list of 10 references on your project
March 6 – First draft of project paper
March 20 – First version of PPT project presentation
April 19 – Final version of project paper handed in