Paleontology (Minor)
The Minor in Paleontology provides undergraduate students with a foundational knowledge of the fossil record and modern techniques used to study the evolutionary patterns recorded within the fossil record. The Paleontology Minor is available to undergraduate students in all majors at NC State University but may be especially appropriate for students majoring in the life sciences, agricultural sciences, physical sciences, natural resources, or science education. Students should be aware that many of the courses in the Paleontology Minor have pre-requisites and others are taught in alternate years, so plan accordingly.
Admissions
Students who plan to minor in Paleontology should contact the Minor Coordinator listed below for information on how to enroll. Students must have credit for BIO 181 or BIO 230 or BIO 270 before enrolling in the Paleontology minor. Students are strongly encouraged to declare the minor early in their studies so they receive information on relevant courses, events, and other opportunities from the Department of Biological Sciences. To be admitted to the program, a student must have a GPA of at least 2.0. Application for admission to any University minor program is now available via MyPack Portal. Admission will be based upon the student’s academic record, and in most cases no longer requires departmental review. Add a Minor via MyPack Portal.
Certification
All requirements for the minor must be completed no later than the semester in which the student expects to graduate from his or her major degree program. Students apply to graduate in the minor through MyPack at the same time that they apply to graduate in their major program.
Contact Person
Bostian Hall 2727
919-515-3341
BioSciHelp@ncsu.edu
Coordinator
Dr. Terry Gates
David Clark Labs 280
919-513-0398
tagates@ncsu.edu
Requirements
- A grade of C- or better is required for all minor courses with a 2.0 GPA required in the minor for
graduation. - No course used in the minor can be taken for credit only (S/U).
- Courses taken for the minor can also be used toward major requirements, GEP Electives, or Free
Electives. - At least 9 credit hours of the minor must be completed at NC State.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| BIO 270 | Introduction to Evolution | 3 |
| BIO 323 | Paleoecology | 3 |
| MEA 369 | Life on Earth: Principles of Paleontology | 3 |
| Elective Courses | 9 | |
| Elective List A (At Least 2) | ||
| The Science of Studying Dinosaurs | ||
| Paleontological Field Methods | ||
| Geology II: Historical | ||
| Invertebrate Paleontology | ||
| Introductory Sedimentology and Stratigraphy | ||
| Paleobotany | ||
| Environmental Archaeology | ||
Paleontology Research or Teaching Experience 1 | ||
| Elective List B (One or More) 2 | ||
| Evolutionary Biology | ||
| Developmental Anatomy of the Vertebrates | ||
| The Human Animal: An Evolutionary Perspective | ||
| Animal Anatomy and Physiology | ||
| Primate Ecology and Evolution | ||
| Animal Phylogeny and Diversity | ||
| Invertebrate Biology | ||
| Mammalogy | ||
| Geology II Laboratory | ||
| Dinomania: Dinosaurs in Culture and Science | ||
| Science, American Style | ||
| Darwinism in Science and Society | ||
| Human Osteology | ||
| Human Paleopathology | ||
| Introduction to Statistical Programming- SAS | ||
| Introduction to Statistical Programming - R | ||
| Introduction to Statistics II | ||
| Total Hours | 18 | |
- 1
The focus of the research or teaching experience must be in paleontology and the experience must be approved by the Minor Coordinator (usually through a signed contract) prior to beginning the work.
These credits can be earned through BSC 478 Research Fundamentals in Biological Sciences: Vertebrate Paleontology and Taphonomy or through other departmental experiential learning offerings.
- 2
Other relevant courses, including some capstone and special topics course offerings, can be approved by the Minor Coordinator on a case-by-case basis.