Palaeontology
Contents
Introduction
Palaeontology is the study of prehistoric life forms (or fossils) preserved in rocks and ancient sediments and the evolution of life on Earth. It is a multidisciplinary science, involving not only geology but also aspects of biology and chemistry. Students enrolled in various undergraduate courses (including non-scientific courses) can study palaeontology at UNE. This site will provide you with important information about the discipline at UNE, including undergraduate study and research.
Why Study Palaeontology at UNE?
The University of New England is one of only a few educational institutions in Australia that offers a coherent undergraduate program of study in palaeontology. UNE has a long history of palaeontological teaching and research and is conveniently located in the heart of the New England Fold Belt, providing an excellent natural laboratory for studying diverse and abundant Palaeozoic (542-251 million year old) fossils.
What makes studying palaeontology at UNE unique is that we offer our subjects in external mode, allowing students to study from home, no matter where you live in Australia, or indeed, the world! This is often ideal for students who work part-time or full-time. This study mode is achieved through the world wide web as each of our subjects has its own personalised website, with access to all necessary subject materials, e.g., readings on eReserve. The websites also include discussion boards to promote interaction between students and academics, as well as a facility to submit assignments electronically. The practical components of our subjects, e.g., lab classes and lectures, are conducted during residential schools.
UNE is also an excellent academic environment for students to conduct palaeontological research at various levels, e.g., Honours, Masters and PhD. Academic and Honorary staff members within Earth Sciences at UNE are highly qualified and respected researchers in their related fields, especially Palaeozoic invertebrate faunas. Research projects can be tailored to individual students and may be theoretical and/or field/collection-based. Students may wish to choose field sites that are local, interstate or overseas. UNE is also well equipped with modern research facilities (see ‘Facilities’ below).
Courses
Undergraduate
Postgraduate Research
| Doctor of Philosophy |
| Master of Science |
Postgraduate
| Graduate Diploma in Science |
| Master of Scientific Studies |
Bachelor Honours
| Bachelor of Science with Honours |
Course data provided by the 2009 Course and Unit Catalogue
Units
UNE offers the following undergraduate palaeontology (or palaeo-related) units:
GEOL 120 – Geology and the Environment II
GEOL 202 – Introductory Palaeontology
GEOL 311 – Palaeontology & Stratigraphy
GEOL 312 – Geophysics and Applied GIS for Earth Sciences
Students interested in palaeontology may also wish to consider the following units at UNE:
BIOL 110 – Biology I
BIOL 120 – Biology II
EVOL 211 – Evolution and Biogeography
EVOL 301 – Biological Systematics
SCI 395 – Science Report
ZOOL 203 – Vertebrate Zoology – Evolution and Diversity
ZOOL 210 – Invertebrate Zoology
Careers
Graduates with palaeontological training can gain employment in a variety of workplaces and have a wide range of career paths to choose from. Areas of employment include:
- Education (secondary and tertiary)
- Energy resources and exploration (especially the petroleum industry)
- Environmental consultancies
- Scientific organisations (e.g., CSIRO)
- Government agencies (e.g., geological surveys)
- Museums
Partnerships, Networks and Industry Links
Facilities
UNE is well equipped for palaeontological teaching and research, with modern teaching laboratories (including a large palaeontological teaching collection) and research facilities, including:
- Microscope laboratories
- Dixson Library (with an extensive collection of palaeontological books, journals and monographs)
- Macrofossil preparation lab: pneumatic airscribe (vibrotool) for fine-scale preparation; rotary tool kit for coarse removal of matrix; latex casting.
- Acid lab: acid leaching of carbonate and siliceous rocks using acetic, hydrochloric and hydrofluoric acids to extract fossils.
- Thin section facility
- Digital macrophotography: Canon EOS 5D (12.8 megapixel SLR with 35 mm CMOS sensor) with Canon EF50mm f/2.5 and MP-E65mm f/2.8 1-5x macro lenses. Camera connected to a dedicated desktop computer (for direct transfer of images). Lighting includes fibre optic and fluorescent (maggy) lamps. (Other camera accessories include: Canon angle finder; Kenko extension tube set; remote switch [Canon RS-80N3]).
- Scanning electron microscope (SEM)
Contacts
For general and administrative enquiries:
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Help for Students You can find instant answers to many of your questions or contact UNE directly via AskUNE
Future Students can also visit the Future Student site |
Enquiries about studying palaeontology at UNE can be made to:
ersteach@une.edu.au
Ph: +61-2-6773 3455