Undergraduate Study in Paleontology
We receive requests from high-school and junior-high students for information on studying paleontology at the university. In planning to study for a career in paleontology, students need to consider several points.
· No university in the country offers a major in paleontology for undergraduate students.
· To become a practicing, professional paleontologist, one needs either a Ph.D. degree or a master's degree in museum studies.
· Paleontology is a blend of geology, biology, and a number of such supporting sciences as chemistry and mathematics.
· Being able to express your ideas in good, written English and, when appropriate, in mathematical notation is essential.
With these points in mind, the prospective student should plan to earn a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree in Geology, preferably the latter. Upon entering the university, the student should start working for such a degree as soon as possible. By beginning the study of geology early, the student will have ample opportunity to take a number of biology courses for breadth. Starting early also allows the student to take enough mathematics and other supporting sciences to be an effective scientist. At the outset and throughout the undergraduate career the student should seek the advice of paleontologists on the university faculty.
The KU Department of Geology offers a beginning course in paleontology entitled Prehistoric Life: DNA to Dinosaurs. This course fulfills the biology part of the general distribution requirements for a Bachelor of Arts degree, but it does not count toward a major in Geology.
The course required of geology majors is Paleontology. Students usually take this course during their sophomore or junior years. In addition, the department offers courses in Paleontology of Lower Vertebrates, Paleontology of Higher Vertebrates, Paleoecology, Paleobotany, and a number of other courses.
An important part of paleontology is understanding the rocks in which the fossils occur. The KU Department of Geology offers a number of courses in sedimentology and stratigraphy. Paleontologists also need a sound background in biology. The Division of Biological Sciences offers a wide variety of general biology courses and specialized courses that deal with specific groups of organisms and their ecology.
Undergraduate students often find employment in the Department of Geology, the Division of Invertebrate Paleontology of KU's Natural History Museum, and the Paleontological Institute. Students interested in such employment should consult with the paleontologist in the Department of Geology who is serving as their academic advisor.
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