paleonet Field Course in Taphonomy (Friday Harbor Laboratories, Summer 2002)

[Michal Kowalewski <michalk@xxxxxx>]

We are pleased to announce a field course in taphonomy that will be offered
in the summer 2002 (July 15 - August 17) at Friday Harbor Laboratories of
the University of Washington. The class is at the graduate student level,
but exceptionally qualified undergraduate students are encouraged to apply.
We also encourage applications from foreign institutions. Enrollment is
limited to 12 students. A catalog course description is provided below. For
more information visit the course web page at
http://www.geol.vt.edu/paleo/fieldtaph.htm.

Catalog Description -- This course will present students with an
introduction to field-based research in taphonomy - the post-mortem history
of organisms.   The diversity of taphonomic processes provide a rich source
of biological and environmental information relevant to paleontologists,
biologists, and geologists.  This course will emphasize experimental and
practical field approaches to taphonomic research.  The lectures will deal
with the mechanics of mineralized skeletons, taphonomic and biological
signals recorded in skeletal remains, the hydrodynamics of skeletons as
biogenic sedimentary particles, temporal resolution (time-averaging) of
bioskeletal accumulations, and the utility of taphonomic signals in
reconstructing the long-term history of marine ecosystems and environments.
 Lectures and laboratory exercises are integrated and a group project
involving the entire class is used to illustrate the methods and potential
of taphonomic research. Students are also required to conduct a small,
independent research project during the course.  Several field trips are
included to acquaint students with practical aspects of taphonomic research
and modern environments before they pass through a taphonomic filter.  The
field trips will also serve to obtain data for the group and individual
projects. Enrollment limited to 12.

Students interested in applying should contact one of the course
instructors: Mike LaBarbera at mlabarbe@midway.uchicago.edu or Michal
Kowalewski at michalk@vt.edu.

Sincerely yours,

Michael LaBarbera
Department of Organismal Biology & Anatomy
The University of Chicago
1027 East 57th St, Chicago, IL 606037
mlabarbe@midway.uchicago.edu
Ph: (773) 702-8092

and

Michal Kowalewski
Department of Geological Sciences
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
4044 Derring Hall, Blacksburg, VA 24061
michalk@vt.edu
Ph: (540) 231-5951