317. Micropaleontology.

Micropaleontology is the branch of the earth sciences that deals
with fossil organisms too small to resolve in detail with the unaided
eye. This course introduces students to the broad range of
micropaleontological techniques and to the numerous groups of
fossils on which these are practiced. Microfossils are the basis for
most synthesis of global climate change, biostratigraphy of ocean
basins and regional and global rock correlation. The modern time
scale is built on them. Both light and scanning electron microscopy
are employed by students in the course. Offered every other year.
Prerequisite: Geology 103 and 206 or permission of the instructor.