Module manager: Robert Newton
Email: r.j.newton@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2026/27
SOEE2145 (Palaeoeco, Palaeobio & Evo)
This module is not approved as a discovery module
Earth’s surface environments have changed drastically with time and have both directly influenced, and been influenced by, biological evolution. This module will explore a range of approaches to generate information about past environments, before examining a series of case studies across the broad span of Earth history. This will enable you to understand the interacting factors that have controlled the Earth's climate and other environmental variables, both at times of crisis and during background states that were fundamentally different to today.
To understand the interacting factors that controlled the Earth's climate and other environmental variables through time.
To integrate multidisciplinary data sources (geochemical, geological, palaeontological) with the results from models (e.g. palaeoclimate) to evaluate the causes of environmental phenomena such as glaciation, mass extinction and intense greenhouse climates.
An understanding of the range of approaches and proxies used to evaluate the palaeo-environmental conditions at the Earth’s surface.
The ability to critically evaluate data from these approaches to derive an understanding of Earth’s past environments.
Specific knowledge of the evolution of Earth surface environments at a number of key points in Earth’s history.
An example syllabus is shown below. The structure and topics may change from year to year, but will cover a similar range of time periods and techniques.
1. The climate system
2. Proxies for palaeoenvironment
3. Modelling approaches to palaeoenvironments
4. The Precambrian oxidation of Earth’s surface environments and Snowball Earth
5. The end-Permian mass extinction
6. The early Triassic recovery
7. CO2 control of climate in the Cenozoic
8. Gateway control of climate in the Cenozoic
9. Orbital control on climate
10. Rapid climate change in the Quaternary and course wrap-up
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group Project | 1 | 20 | 20 |
| Lecture | 20 | 1 | 20 |
| Private study hours | 60 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 40 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 100 | ||
15 hours group poster preparation
30 hours reading (1.5 per lecture)
35 hours revision
In course tests and quizzes.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Poster | In Groups | 20 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 20 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
| Exam type | Exam duration | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc) | 2.0 Hrs 0 Mins | 80 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Exams) | 80 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
Check the module area in Minerva for your reading list
Last updated: 05/05/2026
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team