Study Palaeontology |
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Palaeontology at Macquarie University: Ruth Mawson |
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Palaeontology is a broad discipline that examines traces of life on Earth through time. Through the study of past life, palaeontologists are able to shed light upon the origin and evolution of life, the influence of life on the development of the Earth and its environment, and the climate of the past. Palaeontology provides the tools to unravel the history of life including the devastation wrought by global extinction crises and the effect extinctions events have made to biodiversity. All life forms, past and present, tell us something about the environment we live in and by looking at the past we can make an attempt to predict the future. We need to understand changes in the record of life in order that decision making regarding the future might have a sound basis. Palaeontology is also applied to problem solving in areas such as archaeology climatic history, geomorphology and geology.
If you are interested in areas of study such as biology, biodiversity, earth sciences, marine sciences, environmental studies, physical geography, geology, Earth history, archaeology, natural history or museum studies, you may be interested in some of the palaeontology and related units offered at Macquarie University, many of which involve field studies that will enable you to see some of Australia as well. The study of Palaeontology at Macquarie is focussed on a hands-on approach with an emphasis on new technologies, laboratory and fieldwork. All units include a practical and or field component. One unit, GEOS428 is completely field-based, where students spend 9 days at the Heron Island Research Station on the Great Barrier Reef learning about modern reefs in order to understand reefs of the past. Where else could you learn so much in such splendid surroundings!
Macquarie is the only university in Australia offering a full coherency (major) in Palaeontology/Palaeobiology. It can be studied in combination with other studies for the award of a BA (3 years) or a BSc (3 years) and a 4th year of an Honours program can also be undertaken. As well, the Palaeontology coherency is the compulsory coherency for a double degree, the BSc with BA in Natural History, Cultural and Museum Studies (4 years). For this degree students complete 3 coherencies (major) at least one of which must be an Arts coherency. For information regarding this double degree, check out http://www.els.mq.edu.au/BSc-BA The units concerning Palaeontology offered at Macquarie are briefly described on the webpage of Macquarie University’s Centre for Ecostratigraphy and Palaeobiology in the Division of Environmental and Life Sciences, Department of Earth and Planetary Science.
Note: Full-time students normally attempt 12 to 14 credit points per semester (3 or 4 units). 400-level units count as 300-level units. HIGHER DEGREE STUDIES IN PALAEONTOLOGY Natural History at Macquarie University Museum Studies at Macquarie University
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GENERAL INFORMATION
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