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.