UCL Earth Sciences - Admissions

Palaeobiology in brief:
A combined geological and biological approach to the history of life on Earth and patterns of global change, including:
• the variety and evolution of organisms past and present
• interaction of organisms with environmental changes documented
throughout geological time
• run jointly with UCL Biology

Understanding all aspects of global change is recognised as a major need. These two degree programmes combine geological and biological approaches to provide a stimulating insight into the history of life on Earth and its relation to patterns of global change. These programmes should appeal to students interested in palaeontology, as well as to biologists seeking a broader view of biodiversity and evolution than is currently offered by most biological degrees. They provide a rigorous scientific background and appropriate transferable skills for employment in a wide variety of areas.

The degree programmes are based in the Department of Earth Sciences but are run jointly with the Department of Biology. They assume no prior knowledge of Earth sciences as basic courses in appropriate parts of the discipline are taught in the first two years, together with a range of biological units. In the third and fourth years more advanced courses deal specifically with the variety and evolution of organisms past and present, and their interaction with major environmental changes documented through geological time. Appropriate optional course units are also available from the Departments of Anthropology, Archaeology and Geography. Fieldwork and independent projects form important elements of the degree programmes.

More detailed info on the Palaeobiology Degree Programmes