Bio-organomineralisation

How to study evolution in the fossil record? And how do living beings contribute to mineralization processes? These two questions stand at the heart of this teaching unit. The main aims are (1) to help students build themselves a robust knowledge on evolutionary patterns and processes as inferred from the fossil record; (2) to present biologically-derived mineralization processes that lead to skeletons, some rocks and to the fossils themselves; (3) To associate cutting-edge research questions with current methods and lab techniques.

Program :

Travaux dirigés :

Life & Minerals: Introduction to Biomineralization and Organomineralization, Fundamental equations and biotic vs. abiotic processes.

Travaux pratiques :

 Biominerals : Lab techniques and presentation of ongoing research projects

To master key concepts in evolutionary palaeontology

To get acquainted with biologically-derived mineralization processes

To associate modern research questions with methods and lab techniques

To master basic lab techniques

To know how to interpret data acquired in the lab and to replace them in their scientific context

To follow a complete scientific course in English (listening, reading, writing)

To express oneself spontaneously in English

To be able to take notes during lectures in English

UE6 or equivalent, Listening skills in advanced scientific English, Ability to extract key points from scientific texts