Paleontologists can study fossilized remains.
Paleontology is the study of fossil organisms and other types of historical remains. This includes fossils of dinosaurs, but there is much more to a career in paleontology than searching for dinosaur bones. Paleontology is a broad scientific discipline that requires knowledge of other areas of science, including biology, physics and geology.
Instructions
1. Find a list of schools that have paleontology programs through a resource, such as uscollegesearch.org. Keep in mind that just because a school offers paleontology courses, it doesn't mean that you can earn a degree in paleontology. When researching specific schools, read over the list of various courses available, and if possible, locate the published work of the school's paleontology professors. This will give you some insight as to what each school's program specializes in, whether it's dinosaur fossils, plant fossils or something else. It is also important to ask professors whether the majority of the learning will take place in the classroom setting, in museums or out in the field.
2. Know what to expect in terms of time. A bachelor's program will take four to five years, a master's program will take another two or three years, and a Ph.D. program, if desired, will take another year or two. Since many paleontologists earn a Ph.D., find out whether universities offer the chance to get your master's degree and your Ph.D. within the same extended program.
3. Learn more about the individual interests of each paleontology program you're considering. Visit the departments and talk with academic advisers, as well as the professors who head up the program. You can also read published works by the professors to get an idea of what they focus on within the field of paleontology.
4. Apply for the programs you might want to attend. Applications to graduate programs are highly competitive. You should apply to as many schools as you can to give yourself options when it comes time to choose a program.
5. Complete the requirements for the paleontology degree program you're accepted to and decide to attend. The requirements for this type of program are much more than just coursework. You will likely have field work as well. Internships, extracurricular activities and research can also be expected of program participants. You may be required to publish work before you can receive your paleontology degree.
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