Teaching

Teaching concept

Palaeontology, as a discipline, is concerned with the geology of the Earth and the history of life. The knowledge about the evolutionary changes in Earth-Life interactions is crucial for a profound understanding of the present fauna, including human biology. Thus, my teaching goal is to provide ideas and concepts in order to appreciate the importance of the interdisciplinary character of palaeontological research. In addition to equip my students with fundamental knowledge and research methods, I also aim for the ability to think critically and to collaborate by engaging students in scientific activities, including gathering background information about a palaeontological research question, collecting and analyzing data, presenting and discussing the outcomes and drawing conclusions. From my own learning experience, this is the most effective learning strategy independent of the individual learning style (auditive, visual, communicative or motoric-oriented learner). Furthermore, I encourage students to run their research project with the goal to publish their results in appropriate scientific journals (see my list of publications with (co-) supervised students marked with an asterisk).

Supervisory committee

2017 – 2020

R. Lefebvre (PhD thesis). Towards extreme gigantism – Long bone inner and outer adaptations in sauropodomorph dinosaurs. Supervised by A. Houssaye, Ronan Allain, Raphaël Cornette. ERC project Gravibone (PI: A. Hossaye).

Theses

Since 2022

Zoology and Functional Morphology of Vertebrates, Böhmer Group at Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel.

2021

A. Rytel (Master’s student). Neck regionalization in extinct reptiles. Supervised by C. Böhmer, S. Spiekman, M. Talanda. (in collaboration with University of Warsaw)

2020

K. Lagadou (Master’s student). Functional anatomy of the distal forelimb in primates and carnivores: arboreal convergence? Supervised by C. Böhmer, E. Pouydebat.

2019

A. Kaffler (Bachelor’s thesis). The functional morphology of the neck in birds: parrots. Supervised by C. Böhmer, A. Abourachid. ANR Avineck Project (PI: A. Abourachid).

J. Prevoteau (Master’s thesis). Musculoskeletal system of the neck in birds [in french]. Supervised by C. Böhmer, A.  Abourachid. ANR Avineck Project (PI: A. Abourachid).

2018

M. Aladini (Master’s thesis). Kinematic analysis of neck use in  vultures [in french]. Supervised by C. Böhmer, O. Duriez, E. Pouydebat, A.  Abourachid. ANR Avineck Project (PI: A. Abourachid).

V. Chummun (Master’s thesis). Quantitative anatomy of neck muscles in birds [in french]. Supervised by C. Böhmer, A. Abourachid. ANR Avineck Project (PI: A. Abourachid).

A. Lahlou (visiting student). Biomechanics of the avian neck. Supervised by C. Böhmer, P. Provini, A. Abourachid. ANR Avineck Project (PI: A. Abourachid).

A. Maisons (Master’s thesis). Functional morphology & kinematics in parrots. Supervised by C. Böhmer, P. Provini, A. Abourachid. ANR Avineck Project (PI: A. Abourachid).

C. Zanon (visiting student). Mobility in the neck of birds as revealed by X-ray. Supervised by C. Böhmer, A. Abourachid. ANR Avineck Project (PI: A. Abourachid).

2017

C. Lacroux (Master’s thesis). Adaptations in the muscular system for arboreal locomotion in primates [in french]. Supervised by C. Böhmer, AC. Fabre, A. Herrel

M. Taverne (Master’s theis). Functional implications in the forelimb musculature for arboreal locomotion in Carnivora [in french]. Supervised by C. Böhmer, AC. Fabre, M. Herbin,  A. Herrel

2013

F. Oliveira da Silva (Master’s thesis). Evolution of vertebral morphology and number of archosaurs. Supervised by C. Böhmer, O. Rauhut, G. Wörheide

Courses

Since 2021

Zoology. Bachelor Biology. Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel (Germany).
Practical course in Zoology. Bachelor Biology. Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel (Germany).
Animal identification. Bachelor Biology. Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel (Germany).
Practical course in Animal identification. Bachelor Biology. Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel (Germany).
Field trip for Identification and Observation of Animals. Bachelor Biology. Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel (Germany).
Comparative anatomy of vertebrates. Bachelor Biology. Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel (Germany).

Senior class Biology. MasterBiology. Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel (Germany).
Research internships Vertebrate Evolution. Master Biology. Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel (Germany).

2019

Evolution of basal vertebrates. Master Paleobiology. Visiting Professor. Universität Wien (Austria).

2018

Evolution of the muscular system, as exemplified by mammals (Évolution du système musculaire, exemple des mammifères). Master Biomechanics Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1 (France)

2015

Veterinary Medical Terms. Online Lecture. Veterinary Medicine. Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (Germany)

2010 – 2012

Geomicrobiology. Master Geobiology and Paleobiology (MGAP). Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (Germany)
Earth-Life-Interactions II. Master Geobiology and Paleobiology (MGAP). Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (Germany).

2008 – 2013

3D modelling & CAD. Instructor. Bavarian State Collection for Palaeontology and Geology, Munich (Germany).