古生物學主要在闡述地球歷史中，各個階段生命現象的型態特徵、結構功能、親緣關係、生活習性、生理機能與地理分布，並藉由化石與岩層沉積特徵，推斷各地質年代的古氣候環境，探究生命的起源、演化適應與滅絕事件。古生物學堪稱是廣義生物學領域中，最具傳統與經典的學科。近年來，又隨著生命科學研究的發展與化石持續地累積發掘，不斷地發生新的證據推翻舊有的假說，不斷地衝擊與挑戰生物演化的理論。藉由本課程，能透過對時間軸的貫穿，逐一檢視地質史中所發生重大生物演化的事件，對於生命的演化歷程有更深入的瞭解。也對生命的現象產生更臻廣泛的認識。

Paleontology mainly describes the morphological characteristics, structural functions, nexus, lifestyle, physiological functions and geographical distribution of life phenomena at various stages in the history of the earth. It also uses the characteristics of fossils and rock layers to promote the paleo-economic climate environments of various places in terms of age, and explores the origin, evolutionary adaptability and absolute events of life. Paleontology can be regarded as the most traditional and classical subject in the field of broad biology. In recent years, with the development of life science research and the continuous cumulative exploration of fossils, new evidence has been continuously generated to overturn old hypotheses and constantly impact and challenge theories of biological evolution. Through this course, we can examine major biological evolution events in geographic history one by one through the care of time, and have a deeper understanding of the evolutionary process of life. It also has a more extensive understanding of the phenomenon of life.

1. Vertebrate Palaeontology, 2014, by Michael J. Benton., (Wiley-Blackwell; 4th edition) ISBN: 978-1-118-40755-4.
2. History of Life, 2013, by Richard Cowen., (Wiley-Blackwell; 5th edition) ISBN: 978-0-470-67172-6.
3. The Book of Life, 2001, Edited by Stephen Jay Gould, Ebury Hutchinson, London, ISBN: 0-393-32156-8.

1. Vertebrate Palaeontology, 2014, by Michael J. Benton., (Wiley-Blackwell; 4th edition) ISBN: 978-1-118-40755-4.
2. History of Life, 2013, by Richard Cowen., (Wiley-Blackwell; 5th edition) ISBN: 978-0-470-67172-6.
3. The Book of Life, 2001, Edited by Stephen Jay Gould, Ebury Hutchinson, London, ISBN: 0-393-32156-8.