Macalester College Geology Department

Instructor: Kristi Curry Rogers
Level: Introductory
Offered: Every Fall

Dinosaurs dominated Earth's landscapes for nearly 200 million years, and then they vanished in one of the "big-five" mass extinctions in the history of life. This course explores the evolution of dinosaurs, and examines their biology and behavior. Students are introduced to the various groups of dinosaurs as they study the reasons behind their dramatic diversification and ecological success. Theories that pertain to their abrupt disappearance 65 million years ago are also explored. The class includes a field trip to the dinosaur hall at the Science Museum of Minnesota. No prerequisites.

Major Topics of Study Include:

• Dinosaur ecology and life history
• Dinosaur behavior
• Dinosaur evolution and systematics
• Dinosaur extinction