1. Micropaleontology Course
Micropaleontology is concerned with microfossils and nanofossils (the latter being smaller than 50 m), the study of which must, of necessity, be carried out using the light or electron microscope. These fossils are: 1-) The remains of unicellular and multicellular micro-organisms and 2) The dissociated elements and skeletal fragments of macro-organisms.

2. Objective of micropaleontology
Study the fossils in terms of morphology, structure, chemical and mineralogical components.
Classification: discover their origin and systematic affinities.
Applications in oil exploration, biostratigraphy, palaeo-biology and paleoclimatology.
Other environmental issues.

3. Microfossils Groups 1. Foraminifera
Unicellular/ calcareous or agglutinated/ marine environments/ planktonic and benthonic/ heterotrophic.
2. Ostracods
Multicellular/ calcareous or chitinous valves/ marine and fresh environments/ planktonic and benthonic/ heterotrophic.
3. Coccolithophora
Unicellular/ autotrophic/ calcareous/ planktonic and benthonic/ marine and fresh environments.
4. Diatom
Unicellular/ autotrophic/ siliceous/ planktonic/ mainly marine environments.
5. Radiolaria
Unicellular/ heterotrophic/ siliceous/ planktonic/ marine environments.
6. Dinoflagellates
Unicellular/ autotrophic or heterotrophic / cysts are preserved (organic, calcareous or siliceous) motile and non-motile stages/ marine and fresh environments.

4. Figures showing the microfossils groups