About
Discover unique traces of life from millions of years ago and follow the evolution of species from the depths of geologic time.
- Four year degree
- Full or part-time program
- You can enter this program directly from high school
- You can begin this program off-campus
What you will learn
Your studies will focus on the fossil record of ancient organisms and their living descendants. You will learn to analyse the distribution and function of fossil animals and plants, reconstructing their evolutionary paths. Such evolutionary relationships are then tied to environmental data to reconstruct the fossil species way of life. You will learn about human, plant and animal diversity, morphology and history.
A first-year schedule sample
This degree program is flexible and offers you the opportunity to take courses in different subject areas. Here’s what a typical first-year schedule might look like:
| Course | Description |
|---|---|
Fall Term |
|
| BIOL 120a | The Nature of Life |
| MATH 110b | Calculus I |
| CHEM 112a | General Chemistry I Structure Bonding and Properties of Materials |
| GEOL 121a | Earth Processes |
| ANTH 111a | One World Many Peoples Introduction to Cultural Anthropology |
Winter Term |
|
| BIOL 121a | The Diversity of Life |
| INDG 107d | Introduction to Canadian Indigenous Studies |
| GEOL 122a | Earth History |
| ARCH 112a | The Human Journey Introduction to Archaeology and Biological Anthropology |
| ENG 113c | Literature and Composition Reading Narrative |
a Required course for the major
b One of the course options to complete the Quantitative Reasoning Requirement
c One of the course options to complete the English Language Writing Requirement
d One of the course options to complete the Indigenous Learning Requirement
The Course and Program Catalogue has the complete and official listing of required classes and their descriptions for this program.
GEOL 247: Palaeontology
Ancient life on earth will be explored via the principles and concepts of invertebrate paleontology, paleoecology, paleobiology and evolution. The basic morphology and systematics of the main fossil invertebrate groups will be covered in the laboratory sessions, when fossil specimens will be studied.
BIOL 323: Plant Systematics and Evolution
Introduces vascular plant diversity. Will include basic principles of plant systematics (methods of classification, description, nomenclature and taxonomic keys), practical experience with the identification of vascular plants, and tempos and patterns of plant speciation and evolution.
GEOL 447: Ichnology Animal Substrate Interactions in the Stratigraphic Record
Ichnology is the study of biogenic structures and animal-substrate relations. Biogenic structures comprise burrows, trails, trackways and borings. They record the behavior of the tracemakers in response to the prevailing environmental conditions and therefore they supply valuable information in paleoecology, paleobiology, facies analysis, and sequence stratigraphy.
Class size
Small class sizes create a quality learning environment for you that maximizes interaction with professors as well as between peers.
Uniqueness
The U of S Palaeobiology program is unique in Canada, combining courses from Anthropology & Archaeology, Biology and Geological Sciences, preparing you for exciting work in this interdisciplinary field.
Careers
- Glaciologist
- Oceanographer
- Paleontologist
- Paleobiologist
- Conservationist
- Parks and recreation officer
- Environmental education and communication specialist
- Museum curator
Tuition estimates
| Canadian students | International students | |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $7,919 | $38,328 |
| Student fees | $1,121 | $1,121 |
| Books | $1,500 | $1,500 |
| Total | $10,540 | $40,949 |
Tuition will vary depending on the type and number of classes you take in a year. This estimate reflects a typical amount you could expect to pay in your first year if you enroll in a full course load, the maximum number of courses allowed (2024-2025 Canadian dollar rates).
Student fees are used to fund specific student benefits, including health, vision and dental coverage, a bus pass, recreational programs and fitness centre access.
The cost of books and supplies varies widely depending on the courses you choose. It is recommended that you budget between $1,500-$2,500 per year.
Program options
These Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) Palaeobiology degrees are offered by the University of Saskatchewan's College of Arts and Science:
You should consult with an academic advisor in the college when you begin your studies to decide if you want a four-year or honours degree.
Admission requirements and deadlines
Deadlines
Ready to apply?
Create an admissions account and start your application today. When you are ready to submit your application, you will be assessed a non-refundable application fee of $90 CAD. Effective December 2, the application fee is increasing to $120 CAD.
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