Paleontology/Evol. Bio. Degree Programs

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Dan - 06 Dec 2004 16:48 GMT

Can anyone direct me to a resource (online, organizations, individuals,
publications, etc.) that would have information useful for comparing
different degree programs--especially undergraduate programs--in
paleontology and/or evolutionary biology? What schools are "hotbeds"
of research? Which schools specialize in what areas? ...and so on.

Especially valuable would be names or contacts for people that I could
talk to about what life as a paleontologist or evolutionary biologist
is like (feel free to send contacts directly to
dan.cabacungan@gmail.com or send my email to them if you don't want to
post). I'm trying to evaluate the feasibility of starting a 2nd career
in something that I'm truly passionate about.

Anyone who wants to throw in their two cents is more than welcome to do
so.

Thanks a million.

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John Harshman - 06 Dec 2004 17:18 GMT

> Can anyone direct me to a resource (online, organizations, individuals,
> publications, etc.) that would have information useful for comparing
> different degree programs--especially undergraduate programs--in
> paleontology and/or evolutionary biology? What schools are "hotbeds"
> of research? Which schools specialize in what areas? ...and so on.

I don't know of any resources. You might try a google search for "B.S.
in paleontology". But I think there are few such programs. Generally, it
would just be a degree in geology.

The really important question here is what sort of paleontology you are
interested in. Invertebrate or vertebrate? Invertebrate paleontologists
are almost always in geology departments, but vertebrate paleontologists
are frequently in biology departments.

But anyway, specialization in paleontology is generally something that
happens in graduate programs, not undergraduate ones. If you want to be
a paleontologist the best course would be an undergraduate degree in
geology or biology, with minor in the other field. If you're at a
university with a strong paleo research program, an undergraduate can
usually find some way to attach himself to the research, and sometimes
get paid for it.

The best way to find a university would be to follow the people. Read
some paleo literature that interests you. Look where the authors are.
The key to a career like this is to find someone whose work interests
you and learn from them.

> Especially valuable would be names or contacts for people that I could
> talk to about what life as a paleontologist or evolutionary biologist
> is like (feel free to send contacts directly to
> dan.cabacungan@gmail.com or send my email to them if you don't want to
> post). I'm trying to evaluate the feasibility of starting a 2nd career
> in something that I'm truly passionate about.

Most evolutionary biologists aren't paleontologists. You need to think
about exactly what interests you. Read more. Look at a few paleo
journals to see what you like. For paleontology as evolutionary biology
look at Paleobiology, Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, and Lethaia,
especially the first one.

The life of an evolutionary biologist can be quite fun, though seldom
lucrative.

> Anyone who wants to throw in their two cents is more than welcome to do
> so.
>
> Thanks a million.

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Natural Science Forum / Biology / Paleontology / December 2004

Paleontology/Evol. Bio. Degree Programs