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University of the Witwatersrand

Bachelor of Science with Honours in Palaeontology

The Bachelor of Science with Honours in Palaeontology in Earth Sciences is offered by University of the Witwatersrand.

Program Length: 1 YEAR.

Bachelor of Science with Honours in Palaeontology offered by the University of the Witwatersrand

The discipline of Palaeontology aims to shed light on the evolution of life on Earth through a variety of different fields of study but mainly through the fossil record.

Why study Palaeontology?

The very rich geological and fossil heritage of South Africa gives this country a geographic advantage in understanding the development of Life. The large number of internationally significant fossil forms that have been discovered in the country have made international news headlines and are a source of national pride and inspiration for all SA citizens.

South Africa’s uniquely rich and diverse fossil record documents the origins of many important evolutionary transitions such as the earliest evidence of life, a diversity of ancient fish, one of the oldest tetrapods, the earliest land-living trees, and the origins of dinosaurs, tortoises, and mammals as well as humans. Because of its diverse fossil heritage, the world-class research facilities of the University of the Witwatersrand and the international status of its palaeontologists this country is an exciting place to embark on a career in Palaeontology.

Why study Palaeontology at Wits

The Wits Evolutionary Studies Institute (ESI) a the University of the Witwatersrand is the largest palaeontological/ palaeoanthropological research entity in Africa and one of the largest of its kind in the world. Amongst other exciting discoveries, Wits palaeoscientists are undertaking game-changing research on dinosaurs (eg. Ledumahadi mafube), the most distant ancestry of mammals, tortoises, and human evolution (Homo naledi, Australopithecus sediba, Little Foot), as well as undertaking ground-breaking research in stratigraphy and basin analysis.

The Evolutionary Studies Institute at Wits is a leader in palaeosciences because:

• It is host to the DST-NRF Centre of Excellence in Palaeosciences
• It produces more than 80 research publications in palaeosciences annually
• It has a wide network of research collaborations with palaeoscientists from all continents
• It has active participation of researchers on editorial boards of international palaeoscience journals
• It employs seven palaeontologists in tenured positions, all of whom have NRF ratings
• It has strong links with palaeotourism projects including the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site and the Kitching Fossil Exploration Centre
• It is the foremost palaeontological training centre in Africa. Palaeontology students are enrolled in the Science Faculty, and the ESI offers a BSc Honours course in Palaeontology, and offers MSc and PhD degrees by research
• It publishes the internationally respected journal Palaeontologia africana. The only journal dedicated to publishing research relating to African palaeontology
• Staff have a dedication to fieldwork, and a commitment to involving Honours, MSc and PhD students in independent field projects
• Has a strong record of success in placing students in research positions both in Academia and the open market
• Has a vibrant academic environment with much social interaction amongst staff and postgraduate students
• Has world-class research facilities
• Largest fossil collection in South Africa - extensive collections of fossil hominins and associated faunas from the Cradle of Humankind; Palaeozoic and Mesozoic vertebrates from the Karoo Supergroup; and the largest  palaeobotany herbarium in the southern hemisphere.
• Micro-CT scanner, 3D printer, and virtual image processing laboratory
• Well-equipped fossil preparation and casting facilities
• Well-equipped archaeology and microscope laboratory
• On campus access to SEM, chemical and mechanical processing laboratories.