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 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.