Master's degree in paleontology
Master's degree program: Focus on paleontology in the Department of Biology
The history of the biosphere, the development of life and the biology of fossils and extinct taxa are at the center of paleontological research. Study topics include the distribution of organisms in space and time, the course of extinction events and the recovery of biodiversity, the emergence of new body plans, functional and constructional morphology, and trends within development depending on environmental influences and paleoecology, as well as the dating of evolutionary processes. Due to the current discussion of the human influence on the extinction of species and on climate change, the research of biodiversity crises and the climate of the past has gained much importance.
Prerequisites
Prerequisite for admission to the “Consecutive Master of Science in Biology, Paleontology” is a bachelor's degree in biology or geosciences, which for example, can be acquired at the University of Zurich or ETH Zurich. For prospective students from foreign countries, consultation of the Study Coordination Office of the University of Zurich is strongly advised to check for validation of previous (undergrad) study modules, etc.
Grundstudium Biologie an der UZH
Grundstudium Erdwissenschaften an der ETHZ
Master's degree
The basis of the master's degree is the block courses and special lectures on paleobiology and evolution of living beings. Lessons on evolutionary history, morphology, systematics, taxonomy, biogeography, biochronology, stratigraphy and diversity of diverse organismal groups provide the necessary knowledge to be able to work on modern paleontological questions. Deepening of the acquired knowledge is achieved by field work and excursions, supplemented by offers from the whole field of biosciences and parts of geosciences.
Career prospects
Teaching and research in universities, industry (e.g., minerals, oil), public relations work and palaeobiological and geoscientific research in museums and collections, training in middle schools, collaboration in private and state institutions (expertise, expert opinions, etc.), science journalism, consulting.