54261 Advanced Seminar in Palaeobiology and Palaeoclimatology (2–4 cp)

Mass Extinctions

The seminar will investigate and discuss the “Big Five” mass extinctions known from the Phanerozoic fossil record and the anthropogenic “Sixth Mass Extinction” thought to be currently in progress. Seminar leaders this semester are Mikael Fortelius, Anu Kaakinen and Jussi Eronen.

To be held at the Physicum on Kumpula Campus, lecture room E207 on Mondays at 12-14 hours, starting on January 14. The first class will include an introductory lecture by Mikael Fortelius and assignment of topics and dates for presentations. Please attend!

The seminar runs during Periods 3 and 4. A presentation is compulsory and yields two credit points. It may be collaborative between up to three participants, depending on the level of attendance. Active participation in 75% of the classes yields one credit point when verified by a personal seminar diary.

An additional credit point may be obtained by writing an essay. The subject of the essay must have a connection to the theme of the seminar, and must be different from your presentation. It should be scientific (rather than artistic or fictional), and it should have formal citations and references; a critical attitude is encouraged. A typical essay could be 3-4 printed pages (font size 12, double spacing). Hand written essays are also accepted. Permitted languages are English, Finnish, and Swedish. The essay should be returned no later than April 30, preferably as a paper printout.

The seminar thus yields a total of 2-4 credit points.

Preliminary list of suggested topics 2013:

1 The Permian mass extinction, causes

2 The Permian mass extinction, consequences

3 The Cretaceous mass extinction

4 The Triassic mass extinction

5 The Ordovician and Devonian mass extinctions

6 Marine biodiversity of the Phanerozoic

7 Terrestrial biodiversity of the Phanerozoic

8 The 6th mass extinction

9 Theoretical and methodological controversies (“Alroy vs Sepkoski”)

10 Changing perceptions of mass extinctions: historical overview

11 Your own suggestion