Paleobiology Minor (GEOL)

Program Director: John Merck, Ph.D.

The minor in Paleobiology will provide students with a broad understanding of the application of the methods of biology and geology to the study of the history of life, and develop students’ appreciation of how issues in the study of paleobiology connect with larger trends in those sciences. It is intended for all students with an interest in the study of the history of life, be it professional or avocational.

Depending on optional course(s) taken, a total of 21 – 24 credits are required (see prerequisites). All courses presented for the minor must be passed with a grade of C- or better.

Course Title Credits
Fundamental Courses
BSCI160
BSCI161
Principles of Ecology and Evolution
and Principles of Ecology and Evolution Lab
4
One of the following:4
Physical Geology
and Physical Geology Laboratory
Environmental Geology
and Physical Geology Laboratory
Introductory Life History or Organismal Biology
One of the following:3-4
Historical Geology
Dinosaurs: A Natural History
Dinosaurs, Early Humans, Ancestors, and Evolution; The Fossil Record of Vanished Worlds of the Prehistoric Past
Principles of Biology III - Organismal Biology
Principles of Genetics
Upper-Level Paleobiology
One of the following:4
Principles of Paleontology
Biology of Extinct Animals
and Biology of Extinct Animals Laboratory
Electives
Two courses (one from Biology and one from Geology) selected from the following:6-8
Principles of Paleontology (if not taken to satisfy the requirement above)
Mammalogy
Principles of Ecology
The Biology of Conservation and Extinction
Biology of Extinct Animals
and Biology of Extinct Animals Laboratory (if not taken to satisfy the requirement above)
Principles of Evolution
Biology Department Research 1
Sedimentation and Stratigraphy
Vertebrate Paleobiology
Principles of Biogeochemistry
Global Climate Change: Past and Present
Special Problems in Geology
Or another appropriate biology or geology course approved in advance by the Entomology or Geology advisor
Total Credits21-24
1

The Paleobiology Minor requires 3 cumulative credits of BSCI399 to count as elective.  Research topic must be approved by GEOL or ENTM advisor.

Prerequisites

Required Courses

The following required courses have prerequisites (as indicated in the course description):

Of these, only BSCI207 and BSCI222 have supporting prerequisites not already required for the minor.

Optional Courses 

The following optional courses have prerequisites (as indicated in the course description):

Of these, only BSCI334, BSCI361, GEOL342, GEOL436, and GEOL437 have supporting prerequisites not already required for the minor.

Advising is not mandatory for the Paleobiology Minor, however interested students are urged to consult with the Geology or Entomology Director of Undergraduate Studies prior to declaring the minor to discuss academic planning and logistics. Contact information is available at the Geology web page http://www.geol.umd.edu and the Entomology web page http://entomology.umd.edu.