Question: i want to have a career in paleontology but i want to keep my options open what courses would you recommend?

Katie Bickerton answered on 8 Oct 2020:

There are courses in pure paleontology but I would recommend you think about exactly which part of paleontology you’re most interested in, is it:

– Understanding more about the animals/plants from fossils? (Look at ecology/paleoecology)
– Understanding how they were formed and using them to work out ages the rocks they’re found in? (Look at geology/earth sciences)
– Physically going out and finding the fossils? (Look at archaeology/geology)
– Understanding how life began or evolution? (Look at evolutionary biology or ecology)
– Understanding how the Earth’s environment has changed over time? (Look at geology/environmental science)

I’d also recommend getting in touch with researchers that work in paleontology and finding out how they got to where they are. Most university websites have a research staff page – I’d advise emailing PhD students as they are more likely to respond!

I hope that helps and good luck!