Creating a Self-Study Paleontology course.

[joshuavise]

Hey everyone,
One of my bigger regrets is that I didn't pursue paleontology in college.  In my forties now, and the idea of getting a B.S. in Paleontology still has appeal to me, mostly as a personal goal, as I don't think I would ever try to pursue it professionally.   

Since there are no programs or courses of study near where I live (South Korea), nor am I willing to spend tuition money on something that is just a private passion, I thought I would try to create my own equivalent "B.S. in Paleontology" degree by reading and studying the same things I would have studied had I pursued it in college.  I don't have access to lab equipment, and South Korea isn't a very good place to collect, so almost all of this course of study would be reading, and I wanted to ask the forum for advice.

*What subjects are generally studied in pursuit of a Paleontology degree?  What skills do paleontologists learn?
*What textbooks or other readings would you recommend?
*Are there any online resources you can recommend?

If anyone has a university course list or syllabus for a Paleontology program and would be willing to share, I would be most appreciative.

Edited February 27, 2023 by joshuavise

[mamlambo]

Hi @joshuavise What a great idea! I've just started my BSc with the goal of getting more knowledge around paleontology and maybe one day have enough knowledge to write a paper or two. I asked very similar questions to yourself and was told to get a BSc and major in Geology and Biology, vertebrate biology for me as that is where my interest lies. 

This is the book we are covering in Geo101, it's free to download: https://openpress.usask.ca/physicalgeology/

We also use this book, but it's $75 to buy the digital copy: http://www.wileydirect.com.au/buy/earth-portrait-of-a-planet-5th-international-student-edition/
This is the book we are covering in Bio111 - it's about cell structure and cell chemistry: https://openstax.org/details/books/biology-2e?Book details

As I move through the courses, I can perhaps give you the material we cover if that is useful to you.

Edit: I forgot to mention, at the university I am going to, paleontology courses are only given at a post-grad level.

Edited February 27, 2023 by mamlambo

[Yoda]

I came to this forum 4 years ago knowing close to nothing about fossils, paleontology and associated geology. 

Have spent many hours on this forum. 

And have gotten my hands on any book (good old fashioned paper ones) that I can. 

Between the two, have managed to gain a little more knowledge. And it an ongoing process. I consider it my own self taught degree 

[Jared C]

I'm a paleo student and here's my experience so far:

Oxford as far as I know is the only western university where one can actually get an undergraduate degree in Paleontology. The usual approach everywhere else to academic paleontology is to major in either Biology or Geology - and if you major in one then minor in the other. In my opinion, Biology is more pertinent, but without super solid geology knowledge writing paper will be difficult.  My degree plan is Zoology. Zoology will work just as well as Biology so long as your program has the same requirements of hard, quantitative classes, like calculus, organic chemistry, etc. (which grad schools like to see that you've completed as you apply). One specializes further into true paleontology in the pursuit of their masters/phd. 

 

Many current academics started with a different job, burned out, and then transitioned to academic paleontology half way through their life. Respected paleontologists like Mike Everhart took this path. Do research on your own, read the academic papers, and one can even write a paper of their own without formal training so long as they trained themselves right, conduct good science, and get it peer reviewed. Network by asking specific, informed questions with researchers in your given interest. I'm still trying to figure out this path that seems to me the best way of conducting things.

[Calli99]

On 2/27/2023 at 8:12 PM, Jared C said:

I'm a paleo student and here's my experience so far:

Oxford as far as I know is the only western university where one can actually get an undergraduate degree in Paleontology. The usual approach everywhere else to academic paleontology is to major in either Biology or Geology - and if you major in one then minor in the other. In my opinion, Biology is more pertinent, but without super solid geology knowledge writing paper will be difficult.  My degree plan is Zoology. Zoology will work just as well as Biology so long as your program has the same requirements of hard, quantitative classes, like calculus, organic chemistry, etc. (which grad schools like to see that you've completed as you apply). One specializes further into true paleontology in the pursuit of their masters/phd. 

 

Many current academics started with a different job, burned out, and then transitioned to academic paleontology half way through their life. Respected paleontologists like Mike Everhart took this path. Do research on your own, read the academic papers, and one can even write a paper of their own without formal training so long as they trained themselves right, conduct good science, and get it peer reviewed. Network by asking specific, informed questions with researchers in your given interest. I'm still trying to figure out this path that seems to me the best way of conducting things.

Bristol, Leicester, Edinburgh, Portsmouth and Birmingham Universities in the UK all do palaeontology B.Sc’s as far I’m aware. In any case, I think it’s generally wiser to do as you have done, i.e. biology/zoology/geology and then specialise, as these degrees have far more career options than pure palaeontology, should well made plans not work out.

[Mark Kmiecik]

Google "fossil locations in south korea". I think you'll be pleasantly surprised how close you are to some great stuff.

[aek]

I'm in my late 40's and taking geoscience classes at community college. Very part time since I'm not pursuing a career. We're using Biology 13th edition McGraw Hill Raven et al. with focus on cell biology. As a supplement the same Bio text mamlambo linked. Biology, botany, physical geology, etc. are good primers.  

Edited March 8, 2023 by aek