Biomineralization

The course aims to provide knowledge on the origin and evolution of the processes of biomineralization. The students will be taught the microstructures of the biominerals that form the exoskeletons of the main invertebrate groups and their fossil record. The relationships between these processes and the climatic and geodynamic evolution of our planet will also be analyzed.

The student will be able to analyze and identify the microstructures of the skeletal parts of the main invertebrate groups. He will also be able to understand the mechanisms of evolution of the biomineralization processes and their relations with the chemical-physical environment and the biotic components.