Our degree is ranked best for Science in South Australia, and among the top 150 in the world*. 

Palaeontologists aim to understand past life on our planet and make informed predictions for the future. They discover, study and record the fossilised remains of plants, animals and microorganisms to determine their origin, age, and the composition of their ecosystems and palaeoenvironments. This helps explain geological processes like continental drift, historical events like mass extinctions, and scientific theories like evolution.

This major will provide you with practical skills in both the biological and geological aspects of modern palaeontology, including the scientific techniques used to interpret fossil records, determine the age of fossils and reconstruct past living conditions.

Having a strong background in palaeontology and understanding of the full history of life prepares you for a wide range of careers, including palaeontology, conservation, ecotourism, climate change adaptation and mitigation and many others.