BSc (Hons)
Palaeontology
Answering questions about the Earth’s past
Course Overview
Why take this course?
How did dinosaurs become so dominant and why did they disappear so dramatically? What changes allowed life on our planet to leave the seas and begin to populate the land? This course looks at the Earth’s history through the fossil remains left by its past inhabitants and guides you towards answers to these and many more fascinating questions.
What will I experience?
On this course you can:
- Get involved with recent and exciting dinosaur/fossil finds on the Isle of Wight
- Find, extract and examine fossil remains in the field and laboratory
- Reconstruct the lives of fossils with the other organisms that shared their time on our planet
What opportunities might it lead to?
This course is fully accredited by the Geological Society of London, the professional body that oversees geoscience in the UK. It is the first stage of professional development leading to the award of Chartered Geologist status after a period in industry.
We will give you the knowledge and practical skills to ensure an interesting and rewarding career in the specialist area of geological hazards.
Here are some routes our graduates have pursued:
- palaeontology
- oceanography
- excavation
- quarrying
- geoscience information analysis
The University of Portsmouth had many opportunities for fieldtrips, with the Isle of Wight and its exposed geology a stone’s throw away.
Daniel Pedrosa, geology student 2012
Key Facts
- UCAS Course Code:
- F641
- Duration
- 3 years full time
- Entry
240-300 points to include 2 A Levels or equivalent, with 100 points from a single science subject or 160 points from 2 science subjects (biology, chemistry, environmental science/studies, geography, geology, mathematics or physics).
Other qualifications- Fees
UK/EU/Channel Islands and Isle of Man full-time students: £8,750 p/a*
International full-time students: £11,900 p/a*
*Please note that all fees are subject to annual increase.- Contact
- sci.admissions@port.ac.uk
+44 (0)23 9284 5550 - Department
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences
Subject:
Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences
Find out what our students say about studying at Portsmouth, including:
- Fieldtrips in the UK and abroad providing invaluable practical skills
- The open-door approach of the lecturers, many of whom have industry experience
- Superb careers advice and support that is part of your course
Visit us at our open day
Wed 10 Jul
Structure & Teaching
Year one
You will receive a comprehensive introduction to all aspects of geoscience.
Core units in this year include:
- How the Earth Works
- Earth Materials
- Earth History and Life
- Quantitative Methods
- Science for Earth Systems
- Biodiversity and Evolution
Year two
Specialise in the more applied areas of the subject and benefit from fieldwork – a vital component of any geoscience degree.
Core units in this year include:
- Vertebrate Palaeontology
- Sedimentology and Palaeoenvironments
- Palaeontological Techniques
- Palaeobotany, Micropalaeontology and Project Preparation
- Palaeontology
- Professional Skills for Palaeontologists
Year three
Customise and consolidate your studies. In this year you can go on an optional fieldtrip overseas to visit come of the most exciting paleontological sites in Europe.
Options to choose from in this year include:
- Taphonomy
- Biostratigraphy
- Vertebrate Palaeontology 2
- Evolution and the Fossil Record
- Palaeontology Project
- Basin Analysis and Petroleum Geology
- Oceans, Climates and Environments
Teaching and Assessment
The course provides a balanced structure of lectures, tutorials and laboratory work. You will generally be taught in small classes, providing an informal, friendly and supportive atmosphere for your studies.
How are you assessed?
Assessment is a mix of coursework and exams, roughly 50:50. However, your coursework can take a variety of forms including:
- laboratory reports
- oral and poster presentations
- reports on field-based projects
- computer-based assessment
Visit us open day
Facilities & Features
Laboratories
We offer fully equipped geological, geochemical and geotechnics labs
Field Trips
Fieldwork is an important part of our courses
University Library
Our library offers a wealth of information
Laboratories
We offer a fully equipped geological, geochemical and a recently refurbished geotechnics lab. Brimming with ultra-modern equipment, here’s a taste of what you have to work with:
- x-ray diffractometer
- x-ray fluorescence spectrometer
- scanning electron microscope
- ICPMS
- atomic absorption spectrophotometer
Field Trips
Fieldwork is an important part of our courses and can take between 75-80 days spread across the whole course. From excavations to palaeobiological data collection, previously trips have been to:
- the Isle of Wight
- Lulworth Cove
- Lyme Regis
- Barton-on-Sea
- Osmington Mills
- Beer
- Wales
- Northern Spain
University Library
Modern, comfortable and a great learning environment, our library offers a wealth of information including 400,000 books, DVDs, maps and thousands of online ejournals and newspapers. Many electronic resources are available anywhere, 24/7 and our friendly staff are always on hand to help.
Careers & Opportunities
Career prospects
You are eminently employable and as a leading provider of applied geoscience graduates to industry we have an enviable employment record. Job opportunities include roles in museums, as wardens on the Jurassic coast of Dorset, in teaching, building models of pterosaurs for science exhibitions, on television and in the oil industry.
Postgraduate study is also a popular choice for many of our graduates.
Work experience
We feel it’s very important for you to gain first-hand experience of the variety of geological techniques you will be learning throughout your course. Although field-based learning is intensive, needing you to draw on a wide range of theoretical and practical knowledge, it is immensely rewarding and, above all, fun.
You’ll get the chance to visit come of the most famous sites in Europe such as the Solnhofen quarries where Archaeopteryx was found and the World Heritage Site at Messel to collect in strata containing 40 million year old horses, pythons, bats and birds.
Career planning
6.04 minutes
Finding a job is a competitive business, but the statistics show that 89 per cent of our 2011graduates went into employment, further study or training within six months of finishing their degrees.
To make sure you take the right steps on your career path, we’re here to give you help, support and advice throughout your study. Even after you’ve graduated, we continue to give you support for up to five years.
Employers tell us that they want graduates to be able to demonstrate certain skills when they come out of university. Our courses take account of this. We make sure we prepare you for employment through work-related learning, projects, placements and working in simulated environments that are designed to prepare you for the working world.
Open Day
Our next open day is Wed 10 July
VISIT US! Have a look around and get a feel for what it’s like to live and study here. We’ll be on hand to talk to you about your course interests and show you all of our amazing facilities. You’ll also get to meet tutors and other students…
Application, Fees and Funding — find out more