Theoretical Problems of Stratigraphy

Course unit code

1 – Stratigraphy and Paleontology

Course unit title

THEORETICAL PROBLEMS OF STRATIGRAPHY

Name(s), surname(s) and title of lecturer(s)

SAVINA, NATALIA IVANOVNA – Candidate of geological and mineralogical sciences, associate professor, Chair of Paleontology and Historical Geology.

Level of course

Masters

Semester

1

ECTS credits

3

Working hours

Contact hours

Lectures

10

Seminars

26

Independent work of students with a teacher

Self-study

72

Total

108

Work placement

none

Prerequisites

Geology

Language of instruction

English

Objectives of the course

Learning outcomes

A student’s assessments methods

-to study the main worldview problems of stratigraphy;

-to discuss the paradigms of Stratigraphy, concepts of geological time and new approaches to the creation of Stratigraphic charts.

Formation of competence:

а) general cultural competences:

- able to choose and apply the methods and means of knowledge to achieve the goal;

b) professional competences:

- able to formulate research objectives independently, settle the order for solving tasks;

- able to conduct the scientific experiments and research independently, summarize and analyze the experimental data, make conclusions, formulate recommendations ;

- able to apply the knowledge of the fundamental and adjoin apply sections of special disciplines of Master program;

- able to analyze critically, present, defend, discuss, and distribute the results of professional activity;

- able to set up the specific goals of scientific research in the field of geology and solve by the means of modern equipment, IT, using the newest native and foreign;

- able and ready to apply skills of composing and arranging Scientific and Technical Documentation, reports presentations and articles;

Presentations, tests, interview, essay defence and exam

Teaching methods

Along with the classical teaching techniques (lectures, seminars and self-study students) in the process of teaching the course the other methods are apply including visual lections, individual activity, interview and visiting of symposia, conferences, seminars and open lectures of the leading specialists in the field of modern problems of paleontology and stratigraphy

Course unit content

Course objective – to pay attention to the main worldview problems of stratigraphy, to discuss the paradigms of Stratigraphy, concepts of geological time and new approaches to the creation of Stratigraphic charts.

Gained knowledge and skills:

- know the results and main directions of stratigraphic research in XX and XXI centuries: International stratigraphic Chart in the latest desidions of International Commission on Stratigraphy (ICS) and International Geological Congress (IGC); problem of the geochronological boundaries of Stages; controversial statement of the Stratigraphic Code;

- have skills to “read” and “compose” stratigraphic charts of different scales and rank;

- possess the methods of setting the stratigraphic unit boundaries of different rank.

List of Topics

Topic title

Contact hours

Assignments and independent study hours

Three main directions of stratigraphic research: regional, general and theoretical

2

1

Stratigraphy and its principles. The subject, object and concepts of stratigraphy.

2

1

Principles of stratigraphy

2

2

Classic stratigraphy. Concept of the terms “layer, “geological body” and “straton”.

2

1

Boundaries of stratigraphic units

2

1

Stratigraphic charts and their units. Modern state of the problem.

4

2

International  Stratigraphic Chart and General Stratigraphic Chart. Correlation of categories of main stratons

4

2

The problem geochronometric boundaries of stages

2

2

Special stratigraphy. Peculiarities of terminology, hierarchy, and use of special stratigraphic units

2

2

Biostratigraphic units, scales, and charts (biozonal stratigraphy)

2

1

Geospheric stratigraphy Correlation of classic, special, and geospheric stratigraphies and their objects

2

1

Methodology of stratigraphy. Requirements to the methods used in stratigraphy, their possibilities and limitations

6

2

Principles of construction of stratigraphic terminology and nomenclature.

2

0

Stratigraphic code. Correlation of stratigraphic units in Russian Stratigraphic Code Stratigraphic and International Stratigraphic Guide

4

2

History and future of stratigraphy

2

0

Assessment requirements

Student’s skills in this subject will be evaluated by means of presentations in the seminars, written tests, interviews and final examination.

Assessment criteria

The composition of final accumulative mark

Author of the course

Savina, Natalia Ivanovna