This degree is an extremely varied program combining elements of geology
and biology to give our students a really rigorous training in paleontology.
Building on a broad earth sciences base you will use the fossil record to study the
evolution in the diversity of life from dinosaurs to micro fossils.
This course is led by academics from one of
the largest and strongest paleo biology research groups in the UK.
There's a really great atmosphere in the
department.
There's a small research group of vertebrate palaeontologists,
there's paleobotanists, there's a large working group of micro palaeontologists, and
the staff all look after you really well.
You'll be taught by world leading researchers on modules ranging from the
evolution of vertebrates to genetics ensuring that your degree is
comprehensive and up-to-date.
Our focus on research-led teaching will provide
you with your own exciting opportunities to carry out cutting-edge research.
This is supplemented and supported by the
unique and amazing collections of Lapworth Museum of Geology which provide
a fantastic resource that supports our teaching and research.
The Lapworth is a fantastic resource; for the public to
engage them in science and geology and paleontology but also for students to
have all the specimens that you could possibly want
here in university.
There are opportunities to actually work within
the museum, that has been really great fun.
Our students have opportunities to get involved with academic conferences
presenting their work and engaging with the wider academic paleontology
community.
My time at Birmingham has given me the opportunity to learn a wide
range of research skills.
I used photogrammetry to create 3D models of a scientifically important and
unique collection of amphibian and reptile footprints held by the Lapworth
Museum.
This allowed me to generate new insights into the late carboniferous, a
period which marked the rise of reptiles as the dominant land animals my research
was published in an academic journal and I presented it at an international
academic conference.
My third year research project was focused on the
fossil record of bats.
I collected data from scientific publications to
understand how changes in fossil record completeness affect our understanding of
bat evolution.
I presented this work at two paleontological conferences and
managed to win awards at both.
Our degree course is accredited by the Geological Society of London which means
that it provides you the broad training in the geosciences which is essential to
any practising palaeontologist.
Your course will cover a wide range of topics
including specialist paleontological and biological modules from the second year onwards
as well as a range of fieldwork in places like Wales, Scotland, the South of
England and Spain.
You get to apply what you learn in the classroom but also you get to make lots
of friends and have lots of fun!
You will learn cutting-edge methods used to investigate past life and have
opportunities to get involved in research through your dissertation
project.
My current dissertation module uses CT scanning to look inside the
skulls and reconstruct the brain and inner ear of dicynodonts, an important
group of plant-eating Permian vertebrates.
I'm aiming to use these skills to go on to complete a PhD in
paleontology.
We also offer the opportunity to join our four-year MSci
programme allowing you to go into greater depth in the subject and lead a major
research project.
For my final year project I'm using CT data to answer
questions about the biology and skulls of a bizarre group of early fossil
reptile called protosucides.
Our graduates go on to a wide range of
careers.
Everything from paleontological research, teaching, and museum curation to much more
applied positions for example a biostratigrapher in the oil industry.
Your degree will set you up with much sought
after specialist skills as well as essential transferable skills.
This will mean that you will leave Birmingham as a
highly employable independent graduate.