Info Brochure (Flyer)

Summer Study Abroad – Fossil Field Trip to China

Syllabus

Biol 4867/5867 Fossil Field Trip to China

(3 cr., three weeks in June; 15-20 students. Open for all students/citizens in the world).

• Introduction

• Travel

• Sites

• Syllabus

Contact:

Dr. Christopher Liu, Department of Biological Sciences, East Tennessee State University.

Email: liuc@etsu.edu; Tel. (423) 439-6920; Fax (423) 439-5958

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Instructor:

Dr. Yusheng (Christopher) Liu, Department of Biological Sciences.

Assistant Professor of Paleobotany and Paleobotany Curator of East Tennessee Natural History Museum

Office: Brown Hall 309. Phone: (423) 439-6920; Email: liuc@etsu.edu  

Local host in China:

Professor Z. Zhou, Kunming Institute of Botany, Academia Sinica.

Textbook/Readings:

Students will be given a Xeroxed course handbook, including journal articles/ book chapters and background information on geology and geography. Students will also be given assigned readings.

Course Outline:

The course provides first-hand experience excavating a wide range of fossils from three renowned fossil sites in southwest China, from geological formations spanning 530 millions years ago (Ma) onwards to 15 Ma. Additionally, visits to at least 2 natural history museums and 2 botanical gardens in the trip demonstrate a wealth of information on ancient life biodiversity.

Three outstanding and renowned fossil sites to be visited (see Figure 1), representing three critical geological time periods when the life first originated on Earth, radiation of terrestrial animals, and modernization of ecosystems, are 1) the Chengjiang Fauna (early Cambrian, ~530 Ma; Route B in Yuxi, 2) Lufeng Dinosaur Park (middle Jurassic, ~150 Ma; Route A in Chuxiong, and 3) Xianfeng Coalmine (middle Miocene, ~15 Ma; Route C.

These sites contain fossils such as one of the earliest organisms on Earth, which have challenged Darwin’s theory of Evolution. These fossils clearly demonstrate the evolution of biodiversity. Students in the course will encounter many animals and plants in fossils.

Figure 1. Map showing the fossil sites to be visited and travel routes.

• Starting: Kunming (provincial capital)
• Route A: Kunming to Chuxiong – Jurassic Lufeng Dinosaur Park/Museum
• Route B: Chuxiong to Yuxi – Early Cambrian Chegjiang Fauna
• Route C: Yuxi to Kunming – Neogene plant sites

If a permit is granted, we will collect and bring the collections back to our museum. Through on-site exploration, hands-on collection, reading, discussion, and guest lectures, students can gain insights into the amazing biodiversity in the geological past. Using China’s fossil resources as an example, this trip offers an in-depth look into the evolution of life shaping our world. Students also learn techniques in paleontology ranging from learning how this type of scientific investigation is conducted to attaining scientific data in the field to learning how this type of scientific investigation is conducted. Students are required to take notes in the field and will take an on-site final exam involving fossil determinations, rock recognition, and paleoenvironment interpretation. This will also be an introduction to a totally different culture for the students from ETSU, and will bring them a more global perspective on both science and humanity.

Highlights of this study abroad course:

• Two days of cultural and historical tours in Shanghai and Kunming. Shanghai is the largest city in China and has been dynamically changed in almost every aspect. Kunming, the provincial capital, is a gate for China to Southeast Asia and a cross-road of different cultures, foods, architectures, etc.
• Unique travel experience in China;
• Experience at fossil sites;
• Visit several natural history museums in SW China and the first China’s Horticulture Expo Park in Kunming;
• Cultural exposure through interaction with Chinese students (who will join us for the field trip);
• All these activities surround the central theme of this course: fossils from SW China and their importance for understanding evolution of lives on Earth.
• Led by Dr. Liu, a paleobotanist native to China who has traveled extensively within China and has been working on Chinese fossil plants in the past decade.

Provisional itinerary (June 4-24, 2012):

·         June 4: leave Johnson City for China

·         June 5: arrive in Shanghai (east coast of China)

·         June 6: arrive in Kunming, capital of Yunnan

·         June 7-13: bus ride from Kunming to Chuxiong (route A) - Jurassic Lufeng Dinosaur Park

·         June 14-17: bus ride from Chuxiong to Yuxi (route B) - Early Cambrian Chengjiang Fauna

·         June 18: bus ride from Yuxi back to Kunming (route C)

·         June 19-22: Neogene plant sites around Kunming, botanical garden and zoological museum in Kunming

·         June 23: sightseeing in Kunming

·         June 24: back to the States

Timetable: The 3-week field trip in June starts in Kunming.

Proposed three fossil sites and associated activities

Course grades and assignments:

Grades

            Journal (15 x 10 pts)     - 150 pts

            Discussion (10 x 5pts)  - 50 pts

            Term paper                  - 100 pts

Total --------------------------- 300 pts

A = >93%        A-=90-93%    

B+=87-89%    B =83-86%      B-=80-82%    

C+=75-79%    C =70-74%     C-=65-69%

D+=62-64%    D =55-61%     F <55%

Journal:

Students will keep a journal, with entries of 250 words or more per entry. 15 journal reports representing the main activities in the field trips/museum are required. Students will also be given a specific question to address as part of the journal entry. Journals will be collected after students return to ETSU (due on July 10).

Discussions:

We will meet 10 times in the evenings to discuss the day’s activities. Points will be assessed based on preparation and participation.

Term paper:

5 pp., plus references. Students will use CBE style for reference citation (http://library.osu.edu/sites/guides/csegd.php). Any topic related to the course, approved by the instructor, may be used; suggested topics will be provided. Students will pick topic and carry out some library research before leaving ETSU. The term paper will be due 2 week after students return to the States.