Paleontology is the quintessential interdisciplinary science, combining geology and biology to document the evolution of life.

Few schools have a dedicated paleontology major, but we at Appalachian have developed a concentration in paleontology within our geology major.

This program targets the dedicated undergraduate interested in pursuing a career in paleontology or the petroleum industry by providing a strong interdisciplinary background rooted in geology and biology, opportunities for student research in paleontology, and a program of study designed to facilitate entry to graduate school.

Classes

Students whose focus is paleontology take a variety of courses in geology and biology, as well as some presently offered as special topics in geology. These include paleontology methods, paleoecology, and quantitative paleobiology. The result is a student with a strong geology major, a biology minor, and an exemplary introduction to paleontology.

• Geology (BS) - Paleontology 259D Program of Study (click here for a sample schedule)

Student Research Opportunities

Field Projects

• Middle Ordovician community ecology
• Microvertebrates and the Triassic-Jurassic boundary in the American Southwest
• Triassic rift-basin paleoenvironmental reconstruction and implications for paleo-landscape resources

Lab Projects

• Bryozoan genetics and evolution
• Practice in Preparation - an expanding opportunity in paleontology
• Microvertebrates - finding fossils in the lab

Personnel

Faculty expertise at Appalachian spans the gamut from archosaurs to zooecia, with three paleontologists on staff and a fourth, active emeritus member:

Other faculty associated with the program:

Our faculty collaborate with researchers around the world, and are intensively involved with projects associated with the American Museum of Natural History (New York), Field Museum of Natural History (Chicago), North Carolina Museum of Science, the Virginia Museum of Natural History, the New Mexico Museum of Natural History, the Natural History Museum (London), and other institutions in North America and beyond.