Overview

The Bachelor of Science (Honours) (Palaeontology) - 4 years requires 4 years of full-time study (or the equivalent part-time). The course specialisation is offered by the College of Science and Engineering.

Student guidance

Program of study overview
Program of study notes

Program of study
144 Units

Year 136 Units
Year 236 Units
Year 336 Units
Year 436 Units
Honours Program36 Units

Admission requirements

Admission requirements
Assumed knowledge
English Language requirements

Aims

The highly interdisciplinary course specialisation aims to provide students with in-depth knowledge and appreciation of the Australian fossil record, and a broad-based foundation in the scientific principles underpinning palaeontology and allied disciplines. Students are expected to develop a range of transferable research, analytical and communication skills in both university- and field-based settings, including the capacity to:

  • Understand and apply relevant scientific principles, analytical approaches and problem solving in the areas of palaeontology, vertebrate evolution and zooarchaeology
  • Develop interpersonal skills through cooperative teamwork and present scientific information via effective written and spoken communication to a variety of audiences, including the broader community
  • Appreciate the multidisciplinary nature of palaeontology and engage positively with people and ideas outside of the immediate discipline, especially in biology, earth sciences and archaeology
  • Appreciate the societal and ethical contexts of palaeontology and the role it has in informing our understanding of modern ecosystems and their conservation
  • Work and learn independently and take responsibility for updating and adapting their knowledge and skills

The Honours Year provides students with advanced skills that are required for planning, funding and carrying out research projects in a specific area. It also aims to develop a range of transferable research, analytical and communication skills including the capacity to:

  • Understand and apply relevant scientific principles
  • Retrieve and present scientific information, including communicating effectively with a variety of audiences in written and spoken form
  • Critically analyse and evaluate information and solve problems
  • Analyse and evaluate data, appreciate the multidisciplinary aspect of the science disciplines and engage positively with people and ideas beyond their own discipline area
  • Use information technology, work independently and take responsibility for updating and adapting their knowledge and skills
  • Appreciate the role of science in society, the regulatory framework within which it operates and the ethical issues it raises

The course specialisation provides the foundations that will underpin ongoing professional development, preparing graduates for further study in disciplines related to palaeontology and evolutionary studies or for a career in a field related to palaeontology and vertebrate evolution or in other areas where the range of skills and knowledge acquired is needed or desirable.

Learning outcomes

On completion of the course you will be able to:
1.
Demonstrate familiarity with and critically apply current theories, subject content, professional methodologies, ethical frameworks and research procedures relevant to studies of palaeontology and vertebrate evolution
2.
Understand and describe the processes through which current knowledge about the areas of palaeontology and vertebrate evolution and diversity was developed
3.
Analyse and critically evaluate ideas, data and information and apply relevant scientific principles to solve problems by, for example, creating and testing hypotheses, generating predictions, designing and conducting experiments, and statistically analysing data
4.
Undertake studies relating to palaeontology, palaeoecology and vertebrate evolution in both laboratory and field contexts
5.
Communicate your findings and present information clearly to a variety of audiences in written and spoken form
6.
Display a profound understanding of the processes that have led to the evolution of the modern Australian fauna and an appreciation of the fossil heritage of the continent
7.
Demonstrate the retention of a broad set of foundational skills that may be further developed and expanded to suit a variety of palaeontological and allied professions
8.
Critically analyse the scientific literature and use this as a basis for planning research projects
9.
Understand how scientific research is funded
10.
Formulate hypothesises and design appropriate experiments to test them
11.
Use appropriate methods, techniques, equipment and instrumentation to ethically collect scientific data
12.
Use appropriate statistical methods to analyse scientific data
13.
Communicate their findings to a variety of audiences in written and spoken form

Student progression rules

Students achieving a GPA of at least 5 in their last 36 units of study after completing 103.5 units of study will be eligible to continue into fourth year of the course. Students who do not meet the GPA requirement will be able to exit with Bachelor of Science (Palaeontology) on completion of 108 units according to the first three years of study in the degree.

Associations

Course/Course specialisation association
Course/Exit award association
Honours - Embedded/Bachelor association