Because of their prodigious abilities for rapid calcification, corals today and in the past have been principal reef builders. The mere mention of corals evokes colorful and vivid image of tropical settings, swaying palm trees, and the crash of waves against the coral-dominated, biologically complex edifice we call the reef. Most geologists, educators, and students are aware of new developments in ecology and evolution of modern and ancient reefs, but they are probably less aware of studies of corals that build reefs. Understanding ancient examples rests on a foundation of modern coral biology and taxonomy. This volume summarizes the 1996 Paleontological Society Short course “Paleobiology and Biology of Corals.” Twelve international authors present current and cutting-edge topics in coral research.