Introduction
The simplest definition is "the study of ancient life". Palaeontology seeks information about several aspects of past organisms: "their identity and origin, their environment and evolution, and they can tell us about the Earth's organic and inorganic past".
“Palaeontology” is the scientific study of life that includes the study of fossils to determine organisms' evolution and interactions with each other and their environments. Paleontology lies on the border between biology and geology but differs from archaeology in that it excludes the study of anatomically modern humans. It now uses techniques drawn from a wide range of sciences, including biochemistry, mathematics, and engineering. Use of all these techniques has enabled paleontologists to discover much of the evolutionary history of life, almost all the way back to when Earth became capable of supporting life, about 3.8 billion years ago.
Specialization
As knowledge has increased, paleontology has developed specialised subdivisions.
- Vertebrate paleontology concentrates on fossils of vertebrates, from the earliest fish to the immediate ancestors of modern mammals.
- Invertebrate paleontology deals with fossils of invertebrates such as molluscs, arthropods, annelid worms, and echinoderms.
- Paleobotany focuses on the study of fossil plants, but traditionally includes the study of fossil algae and fungi.
- Palynology, the study of pollen and spores produced by land plants and protists, straddles the border between paleontology and botany, as it deals with both living and fossil organisms.
- Micropaleontology deals with all microscopic fossil organisms, regardless of the group to which they belong.
Skills
A paleontologist needs to have certain qualification and skills to get into the subject and keep on the research. Just knowing will not help. There are many other skills that are required. It is given that you need a degree. But additional to a degree you need to have a strong base in mathematics and science. You need to have digital mapping and data analysis skills. With the advent of advanced technology discovering of fossils and finding out about them is heavily relied on computer systems. You need to know how to file reports and have good communication skills. There will be a lot of research and studying involved so you have to set yourself straight for some serious work. It might be fun and adventurous to find a fossil, but the formalities and paperwork that is followed is a lot.
How can you become a Palaeontologist?
If you are still in school and dream of digging out a new species of dinosaur then the first step you have to take is focused on mathematics and all the subjects of science. Get into a college which has a good reputation for science subjects. You can go for your undergraduate course in any pure science subject. You can go for biology, geology or preferably both. Taking up a double major or double degree would be the best option, or else focus on one subject as your major while you take the others as well. Study at least a year of physics, chemistry, and mathematics as part of your bachelor's degree coursework. Take up an MSc course in paleontology. If you wish to study abroad, then you might have better chances of finding courses that offer better opportunities in a graduate course. Continue your research and studies by taking up a doctoral degree in Palaeontology, which is a must. Choose an institution where the faculty and the syllabus are known to be of exquisite quality.
What will you be doing?
As a paleontologist, you will be finding work in universities and colleges where you will be teaching geology as well as paleontology. Some paleontologists find opportunities in museums and while they focus and carry on with their own research. Many Palaeontologists find work in surveys that are conducted by the government. The public may have very little knowledge about such opportunities, and thus careers like paleontology are left away. One will be traveling to historic and exotic places, looking for the traces of life from the past and understanding the world which was.
How much will you be earning?
The salary that a paleontologist gets usually depends on aspects like the education level, the experience the scientist has acquired and the location of their work. What responsibilities they take in their area of work is also considered. Private sectors offer extremely high salaries especially if the scientist has really good experience and qualifications. Initially, a paleontologist can expect a salary between 15000/- to 25000/- per month which will ascend with experience and work.
Top Institutions offering a course in paleontology in India
IISER Kolkata
Jadavpur University
Presidency University
Banaras Hindu University
Delhi University
Top Institutions offering a course in paleontology around the world
University of California,
USA University of Bristol,
UK University of Alberta,
Canada University Of Toronto, aa
Canada University Of Waterloo, Canada
Bibliography:
"Paleontology". En.Wikipedia.Org, 2018, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paleontology. Accessed 29 Oct 2018.
News, and MBA. "Palaeontology: Scope And Career Opportunities". Https://Www.Careerindia.Com, 2018, https://www.careerindia.com/courses/unique-courses/palaeontology-scope-career-opportunities-019993.html. Accessed 29 Oct 2018.
Garden, Home. "How To Become A Paleontologist". Howstuffworks, 2018, https://money.howstuffworks.com/how-to-become-paleontologist.htm. Accessed 29 Oct 2018.