Evolution Blog 1--Paleontologist Career

A paleontologist is a scientist that studies fossils to find existing life forms in the past life. Paleontology is a joint discipline, requiring detailed knowledge and training in both biology and geology. They have to go to a graduate school after completing a bachelor’s degree at a college or university. Most employment opportunities require the completion of graduate training at the Ph.D. level. As a undergraduate, paleontologist should get a strong background in basic sciences, especially geology, biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics. Math through calculus, a year of chemistry and a year of physics are a minimum. Paleontologists generally have a major in either geology or biology. Paleontologists also need to learn foreign languages, especially German, French, Russian, or Chinese since fossils have different languages on them. In universities the starting salaries for beginning assistant professors range from $40,000 to $60,000 for an academic year of nine months while holders of doctorates can expect to earn $50,000 to $80,000 over a 12-month period.

http://www.fallsoftheohio.org/ACareerinPaleontology.html