EARTH 150 - Dinosaur Extinctions and Other Controversies

This course covers dinosaurs and what Earth was like during the Mesozoic Era. Students gain insight into the origin and classification of dinosaurs. "Hot topics” covered include the warm blooded/cold blooded debate, the mass extinction that killed the dinosaurs, dinosaur trace fossils, the legalities and ethics of selling fossils, the T. rex named Sue, and dinosaur biology and behavior. Attention is also given to the important role the early dinosaur paleontologists played and their international discoveries, as well as what it takes to excavate a dinosaur. The course ends with an examination of how dinosaurs have been portrayed in the media – accurately and erroneously.

Syllabus from offering in Fall 2007 (PDF file)