To be a paleontologist requires an advanced degree (Master’s or Doctorate). A common track is to take a bachelor’s degree in geology before going on to an advanced degree in paleontology.

The 10 Best Paleontology Graduate Programs for 2019

• Pennsylvania State University, University Park.
• University of Kansas.
• University of Cincinnati.
• University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
• Harvard University.
• University of California, Berkeley.
• University of Chicago.
• Yale University.

A science undergraduate degree is crucial, and preferably one of those. The vast majority of curators have a PhD too. At a minimum they’ll usually have an MSc as well as their undergraduate degree. The MSc will be in either Museum Studies or a discipline related to their subject area, such as geology or palaeontology.

Since most job positions in this field require professionals to have a master’s degree or a doctoral degree, it will take you from 6 to 8 years to become a paleontologist. Of course, before getting either one of these degrees, you will first need to get a bachelor’s degree.

It is not “easier” than the more traditional “core” science disciplines of physics, chemistry, biology, or geology. In many ways, paleontology is more difficult than any other science — because to be a good paleontologist you must know a great deal about all of these fields.

Aspiring paleontologists should have extensive knowledge of biology and geology. A double-major with full training in both is the best educational option. Chemistry, physics, calculus, statistics, and computer science are also very important.

paleontologist

Paleontology is the study of ancient life, from dinosaurs to prehistoric plants, mammals, fish, insects, fungi, and even microbes.

Other than birds, however, there is no scientific evidence that any dinosaurs, such as Tyrannosaurus, Velociraptor, Apatosaurus, Stegosaurus, or Triceratops, are still alive. These, and all other non-avian dinosaurs became extinct at least 65 million years ago at the end of the Cretaceous Period.

Megalodon is NOT alive today, it went extinct around 3.5 million years ago.

While a similar length, the Megalodon had a much more robust body and huge jaws built for devouring whales and other large marine mammals. A Mosasaurus would not have been able to get its jaws around the much thicker body of the Megalodon. It would just take one catastrophic bite for the Megalodon to end the battle.

Animals like the Blue Whale and Aust Colossus would defeat a Megalodon. Livyatan could beat a Megalodon, and so on. How smart is the Megalodon?