A palaeontologist is a scientist who studies the remains of ancient life as recorded in the fossil record. Fossils are the remains or traces of ancient plants and animals. Palaeontology is not the same as archeology which is the study of man in the historical record dating from the present back about 10,000 years. The categories of palaeontology available to study and some Canadian Universities where you can do these studies are listed below.

Vertebrate Palaeontology - The study of fossil animals with backbones. Many people think of dinosaurs when they think of palaeontology but fossil vertebrates include birds (which are actually dinosaurs), mammals, reptiles, amphibians and fish. McGill, U of Alberta, U of Calgary, U of Toronto and U of Saskatchewan.

Invertebrate Palaeontology - The study of fossil animals without backbones. Almost any university that offers courses in geology will have courses in invertebrate palaeontology.

Palaeobotany - The study of fossil plants. U of Alberta and U of Saskatchewan.

Palynology - The study of organic-walled microfossils, especially pollens and spores.

Palaeoecology - the study of ancient environments and the organisms living in them. This branch of palaeontology has become popular in the last 20 years and is often an important part of the study of the other areas of palaeontology. Courses in palaeontology can be found in universities with large ecology departments.

Taphonomy - This is the study of how an organism enters the fossil record. It includes the study of death, decay, burial and fossilization of an organism. Taphonomy is usually an aspect of study of the other areas of palaeontology.

Micropalaeontology - The study of microscopic fossils that are important to the petroleum and mining industries.

What Do I Need To Be A Palaeontologist?

A palaeontologist is a scientist with advanced eduction in the field of palaeontology. If you are in Junior or Senior High School you should study and do well in:

• Pure sciences like physics and chemistry
• Biology
• Computers
• Mathematics
• Geology (if offered)
• Languages (French, German or Latin)

You should think about getting as much experience as you can in palaeontology at this point in your life. Contact a local museum, university or nature centre and see if there are any fossil digs you can volunteer to be part of. Occasionally there will be summer jobs for students in dig sites or back in the lab. Some institutions have volunteer programs that will allow you to get experience doing preparation or leading tours through museum galleries. After High School you need to pursue a degree in the life or earth sciences.

Very few universities in the world offer degrees in palaeontology. Most palaeontologists have their degree either in Zoology or Geology. Many have a degree that combines aspects of both. A background in zoology is important for understanding the biology and taxonomy of animals. Geology is important to understanding both the local environment that the fossil organism was deposited in, as well as the interpretation of broad geologic processes that were occurring when the fossil was a living organism.

A university degree (Masters or PhD) will allow you to apply for a job where you can:

• conduct research
• write and publish academic research papers
• curate, catalouge and inventory fossils in a museum or a university
• run a research program at a museum or a university
• teach at a university level

If you decide not to get an advanced university degree you can still get a job in palaeontology as a technician.

What Do I Need To Be A Palaeontology Technician?

A technical diploma or undergraduate degree will allow you to assist palaentologists by:

• preparing fossils
• collecting fossils under supervision
• mounting specimens or displays
• casting specimens

Institutions like the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (N.A.I.T.) in Edmonton and the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (S.A.I.T.) in Calgary offer courses in micropalaeontology and sedimentology as they relate to petrology and mining. These courses are good because they offer the graduate a chance to work in the broader field of geology as well as palaeontology.

What's The Reality Of A Job In Palaeontology?

The Bad News: There are very few jobs anywhere in palaeontology. Despite the current high profile of palaeontology on television, in the movies and in other media, there are few positions for palaeontologists anywhere in the world. Many palaeontologists are employed in related jobs, such as anatomy instructors at medical schools, while they pursue their research interests in the context of these jobs.

The Good News: Being a palaeontologist can be a highly rewarding career. If you truly love the field of palaeontology, work very hard and are persistent, then chances are likely that you will succeed.