Understanding life: evidence from the fossil record

In this wide-ranging introduction to the history of life, we show how fossils get preserved, sometimes in surprising detail, and investigate various aspects of evolution as seen in the fossil record. The course encompasses four billion years of organisms; from microbes through extinct groups such as trilobites, dinosaurs, and mammoths to the present biosphere. Samples from a fine collection of fossils support the teaching.

Aims of the course

This course aims to:
1. Show how fossils become preserved, sometimes in exquisite detail.
2. Provide an overview of major events in the history of life.
3. Give students the opportunity for hands-on study of real fossils in the teaching room.
4. Provide students with sufficient basic understanding of the topic to enable them to pursue an interest in it for themselves.

Content

This course is a wide-ranging look at evolution and the history of life, using evidence from the fossil record. Fossils may form in a variety of ways and sometimes soft tissues can be preserved in surprising detail. Exciting finds continue to be made, and new methods of investigation, such as the use of medical imaging techniques, can reveal aspects of ancient life previously unavailable. We will see how fossils and the rocks that contain them can be used to reconstruct not only the organisms themselves but the environments they lived in, and how these changed through time.

The course will provide you with an overview of major events in the history of life, such as the Cambrian Explosion, when many different groups of animals make their first appearance in the fossil record about 540 million years ago. Another aspect covered will be mass extinctions and their causes. For example, why did an estimated 95% of marine species die out at the end of the Permian Period, 252 million years ago? Did a meteorite really wipe out the dinosaurs, ammonites and many other groups at the end of the Cretaceous Period, 66 million years ago? There will be a chance to study some real fossils on display in the teaching room, and questions will be encouraged throughout. We will finish by briefly discussing current threats to biodiversity and how life might evolve in the future.

Presentation of the course

The course will be taught with PowerPoint slides and with real fossils on display in the teaching room. Questions and discussion will be encouraged throughout.

Class sessions

1. How fossils become preserved and the nature of the fossil record

2. Some evidence of evolution; the earliest history of life, the puzzling Ediacaran Fauna and the Cambrian Explosion

3. Animal evolution in the Palaeozoic Era, the rise of plants and the mass extinction 252 million years ago

4. Life in the Mesozoic: dinosaurs, ammonites and other groups. End of an Era by meteorite impact?

5. Ups and downs in the last 66 million years. Mammoths, woolly rhinos and hominids. What next?

Learning outcomes

The learning outcomes for this course are:
1. To gain an understanding of how fossils are formed, and how evidence from fossils and the rocks containing them can be used to reconstruct ancient organisms and the environments they lived in;
2. To give an outline of major events in the evolution of life, as shown by the fossil record;
3. To discuss the nature and significance of extinction in the history of life, especially mass extinctions and their probable causes.

Required reading

It is not essential to read anything before the course, but I recommend reading Fossils - the Key to the Past by Richard Fortey (details below).

Typical week: Monday to Friday

Courses run from Monday to Friday. For each week of study, you select a morning (Am) course and an afternoon (Pm) course. The maximum class size is 25 students. 

Courses are complemented by a series of daily plenary lectures, exploring new ideas in a wide range of disciplines. To add to the learning experience, we are also planning additional evening talks and events.

Evaluation and Academic Credit 

If you are seeking to enhance your own study experience, or earn academic credit from your Cambridge Summer Programme studies at your home institution, you can submit written work for assessment for one or more of your courses. 

Essay questions are set and assessed against the University of Cambridge standard by your Course Director, a list of essay questions can be found in the Course Materials. Essays are submitted two weeks after the end of each course, so those studying for multiple weeks need to plan their time accordingly. There is an evaluation fee of £75 per essay.

For more information about writing essays see Evaluation and Academic Credit.

Certificate of attendance

A certificate of attendance will be sent to you electronically after the programme.