tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4071831961528467035.post4370393987633863286..comments2023-09-23T06:07:13.771-07:00Comments on Prehistoric Pub: Tap Talk Tuesday with paleontologist Jeff Martz!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11914892485880621750noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4071831961528467035.post-47632267005682145782016-01-20T05:23:15.491-08:002016-01-20T05:23:15.491-08:00It varies, depending on what sort of job you are l...It varies, depending on what sort of job you are looking at. If you are looking at becoming a university researcher you are going to need a PhD. In the past people would get a bachelor's degree (four years), then a master's (usually two years), and then finally a PhD (several years - 2-7 depending on program specifics). A lot of schooling after leaving high school! Now some places are offering PhD-track programs to folks who have just completed their undergraduate degree, so you can get a PhD at a younger age.<br />Having said all that, there are more PhDs produced each year than available jobs. The job market for paleontologists is extremely tight.<br />Instead of going into academic research your son could go into contract paleontology. This is a great job, doing fieldwork to make sure power lines, roads, and pipelines are not damaging any fossil resources. Private companies, especially in California, also use contract paleontology firms to deal with specimens found during construction of buildings. Most contract jobs require just a master's degree.<br />As to what courses? Most paleontologists major in either geology or biology in their undergrad days. Obviously lots of those classes are handy. Statistics and other math classes will also generally be required - most science degrees require at least undergraduate calculus. Not being the best at math is not a death sentence for being a paleontologist, however, but you should go in with open eyes. If you struggle with math you will have to work twice as hard to make the grade in degree-required courses.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11914892485880621750noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4071831961528467035.post-22817622250945797982015-12-22T08:06:22.393-08:002015-12-22T08:06:22.393-08:00My son is in 5th grade and he want to be a Paleont...My son is in 5th grade and he want to be a Paleontologists when he grows up. He was wondering how long you had to go to school for it and what type of classes you need to take. Thank you!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11859308022950106654noreply@blogger.com