Palaeontology
Research Paper
Introduction:
My
topic is a fun occupation that utilizes a vast variety of critical
thinking skills. This particular science involves the deepest bowels
of the mind to unravel new discoveries and theories. Though not
always right, this career is yet entirely fun while using all of many
different skills you’ve acquired during school. What is this
occupation? Glad you asked. It’s palaeontology. Palaeontology is a
broad-filled area with several different branches. Due to this
career being so diverse, I’ll be dividing it into sections. You’ll
know which is being discussed by the thumbnail symbolized by a Roman
numeral. The sections are: history of palaeontology, branches of
palaeontology, why I chose palaeontology, palaeontology and the Bible,
educational requirements, and salary range/job outlook. These are a
few of many things that I will discuss in this paper and I assure you
that you’ll grow to love this occupation as well.
History of Palaeontology

Several topics of history will be discussed in the section, but more
specifically, following these guidelines: how palaeontology came to
be, age of enlightenment, and scientific gets involved. Palaeontology
is perhaps the oldest science known to be. Little to the knowledge
of man, palaeontology started perhaps even earlier than the time of
David. Palaeontology may have even started after “The Great Flood”
of Noah’s time.

Leonardo Da Vinci was one of the first palaeontology/archaeologist. Da
Vinci studied various forms animal bones and human bones and tried to
interpret them to the best of his knowledge. Leonardo Da Vinci could
be described more as an archaeologist.
The age of enlightenment was a great era in the field of science. It was in the 1700’s when the enlightenment era first began. During the age of enlightenment, fossil collecting became a popular
hobby among scientists. Among them was George Curvier, the
father of palaeontology. Curvier’s ideals reflected that of a
progressive creationist rather than the somewhat transcribed ideals
of Charles Darwin’s evolutionary theory which came at a later time. Curvier believed the earth was perhaps hundreds of thousands of
years old, but believed in a form of "progressive
creationism"-that new creatures were created after each
of several catastrophes.
Now here’s where scientific theory gets involved. Charles
Darwin, the father of evolution,
theorized that all beings come from a common ancestor. Darwin’s
ideals became famous in 1859 when he released to the world his book
On the Origin of Species. Unlike earlier theories of
evolution, Darwin's model included a plausible mechanism of
evolutionary change known as natural selection.
This concept held that naturally occurring variants of plants and
animals having advantageous traits survived and reproduced in greater
numbers than their "less fit" competitors, thus changing
the characteristics of the species in succeeding generations.
Darwin's theory was strongly opposed by some (including a number of
prominent scientists in his day), but his basic model of biologic
change was increasingly accepted among scientists. By 1890 biologists
had rediscovered the neglected work of Austrian monk Gregor Mendel on
garden peas (first published in 1866), which showed how traits are
passed from parent to offspring. Subsequent genetic work, including
the recognition of mutations (spontaneous changes in genes that can
be passed on to offspring), provided a source of "natural
variations" which Darwin's theory required.

In time scientific theory had entirely consumed palaeontology. To
many Darwin’s theory made sense, and in time even members of the
church began to fall victim to the ever-growing theories of science.
Branches of Palaeontology

There are many fields in palaeontology, so much in fact, that I’ll
be categorizing it in sections as well. The sections are: the many
different careers of palaeontology, the many different study fields of
palaeontology, and the many different working conditions of
palaeontology.

Many different sciences are involved in palaeontology. Palaeontology
is not just the study of dinosaurs as many believe; it is a
combination of many sciences. One could even say that palaeontology
is the origin of all sciences.

The sciences that are integrated with palaeontology are botany,
chemistry, genetics, geology, physiology, anatomy, physiques,
taxonomy, climatology, and various others. These sciences are
categorized in palaeontology by the many different fields of study in
palaeontology. Palaeontologist use nearly all of these skills with
each find. Some study specific pale ontological fields while other
study all.

The many different fields of palaeontology are:
Palynologist: the study of sub microscopic life-forms
Vertebrate palaeontology: the study of animals with a backbone
Invertebrate palaeontology: the study of animal without a backbone
Micropaleontology: the study of very small ancient animals
Pale botany: the study of macroscopic fossil plants
Pale climatology: the study of climate and weather of the past
Stratigraphers and petrograghers: the study of the distribution and content of rock layers to identify subsurface mineral deposits.

Because there are so many different fields and studies in
palaeontology, there are many different work conditions. Working
conditions vary for all fields within palaeontology. Even though the
typical work area for say Stratigraphers is indoors. A stratigrapher
may have to go outdoors to record data. Palaeontologists
who engage in fieldwork may have to endure extreme weather
conditions. They may be required to travel frequently to remote
locations and carry lots of research equipment in backpacks, which is
likely to make the task physically strenuous. Palaeontologist who are
employed as faculty members at universities or research institutes
have regular 40-hour weeks in a comfortable environment.
What is Palaeontology and Why I Chose it
This section will be categorized into three parts all
in which pertain to my chose of this career. The sections are: Synopsis of Palaeontology, Childhood Dream, and Igniting the Fuel.
First off, what is palaeontology? Is it a science or
just a branch of a science? Yes palaeontology is a science, but many
categorize it with geology when in reality palaeontology is entirely
separate from geology. Geology is the study of the earth and how it
changes of time. Palaeontology
is the study of macroscopic organisms that existed before recorded
history. Palaeontology is also the study of fossils and how to
organize the given or found data into various forms media. Palaeontology as I stated early is perhaps the oldest science known
to man occur immediately after the first death of an organism. In
the world of palaeontology nothing is ever for certain except that
something existed. A palaeontologist’s job is to determine
taxonomic al classification of an extinct animal or plant, and to
decipher where they belong in the world today.
When I was a child my favorite movies were Jurassic
Park and The Land before Time, and it is because of these movies that
my passion and fascination towards prehistoric beast grew into a
burning desire to study them. I first encountered prehistory as
archeology, believing that it was what I was seeking in my quest to
explore the vast pleura that is palaeontology. Little did I know that
palaeontology and archeology were to different things. Though they
both study fossils and how they fit into modern day history, they do
not study the same kinds of fossils nor do they interpret them the
same.
I decided to follow my dreams, my passion, my burning
desire, and the fuel that ignite my flame. Once I set my goal, I
began to learn all I could about palaeontology or other sciences
pertaining to palaeontology or the study of fossils in general. I
read books, did research, wrote books amongst other things. Heck. One could say I had become a living encyclopedia of the subject. My
immense passion for palaeontology grows even greater the more I learn
about it. I was absolutely astounded by palaeontology, so I decided
to make it one of my many careers of choice, top of my list might I
add. It seemed as though everything was going great. I mean I
learned all there was to know about evolution, taxonomy, archeology,
palaeontology, and more. I had everything going for me until I
realized, remembered rather where my roots came from. My only
dilemma was my religion. I needed to figure out how to combine the
two, and I did just that.
Palaeontology and the Bible
This is the longest section due the massive amount of
time I expended on this particular section’s research. Therefore
this section will also be broken in to categories. The categories
are: Evolution versus Creation, scientific theory versus the Bible,
and where it fits in the Bible.
First, evolution and creation two different things
are thrown into the mix together after Charles Darwin introduced his
theory of natural selection. Evolution is process by which a species
evolves from a common ancestor. Creation is the process by which God
created the heaven and the earth and all things thereof. As a
Christian I believe souly in creation, but as a scientist I had to
believe in evolution. I had to make a choice between evolution and
creation. Naturally I chose creation. In my book God will always
prevail.
Scientific theory refers to all theories made by man. A theory is a hypothesis that has not. , and I believe cannot, be
proven true. The Bible is the perfect truth. In the Bible nothing
is supposed or believed to be it merely is. When scientific theory
was first developed the leaders of the church knew there was going to
be trouble. The leaders knew that many young Christian warriors
seeking a higher education would have to be taught and convince by
scientific theory. The leaders decide to say everything that science
says happened, God made it so. One thing about scientific theory is
it changes all the time, but as for the Bible, which is the word of
God, it never changes.
Because of my great interest in palaeontology and my
faith in God, I came up with a solution to this global phenomenon. I
took it upon the liberty of myself to read through the Bible and
decipher its meaning. Due to my topic which is palaeontology, I’ll
only be including to passages of my research in this paper. First
being the Great flood of Noah and then Job and Behemoth and
Leviathan. Genesis 1:20-31 says “And God said, Let the waters
bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowl
that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven. And
God created great whales, and every living creature that moveth,
which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and
every winged fowl after his kind and God saw that it was good. And
God blessed them, saying, be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the
water in the seas, and let fowl multiply in the earth, and the
evening and the morning were the fifth day. And God said let the
earth bring forth the living creature after his kind, cattle and
creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind: and God saw
that it was good. And God said, Let us make man in our image, after
our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea,
and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the
earth, and every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God
created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him;
male and female create he them. And god blessed them, and God said
unto them, be fruitful, and multiply and replenish the earth, and
subdue it and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the
fowl of the air, and over every ling thing that moveth upon he earth.
And God said, behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which
is upon the face of all the earth, every tree, in the in the is the
fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for a meat. And to
every beast of the earth and to every fowl of the air and to
everything that creepeth upon the earth. Wherein the is life. I have
given every green herb for meat: and it was so. And God saw
everything that he had made, and, behold, it was very good and the
evening tan the morning where the sixth day.
In this section we learn how created all things. We
also learn how God intend is creations to be. He says that all
things are to eat plants as meat which is why all things were able to
live harmoniously. This is why it was safe for Adam and Eve to live
at this time.
In the time of the Great Flood we learn that Noah was
told to build an ark and to carry pairs of each animal onboard. The
Great Flood left to possible scenarios for prehistoric creatures.
One, they were all wiped out by the flood. Two, after the flood,
their remaining species was hunted to extinction. The Great Flood is
one thing that science believes happened.
Job 40:15-20 41:1-3 behold now behemoth which I made
with thee; he eateth grass an ox. Lo now his strength is in his
loins and his force is in the navel of his belly. He moveth his tail
like cedar: the sinews of his stones are wrapped together his bones
are as strong pieces of brass; his bones are like bars of iron.
This section describes a massive creature that I
believe is part of the sauropod family. What would you think with a
creature with a tail like a cedar?
Requirements.
Palaeontology is a job that requires the greatest
discipline. High School requirements are trig., geography, biology
and other physical sciences.Paleontologists need to have a
master’s or doctorate in palaeontology. Bachelor’s degrees in
geology or earth sciences may allow them to get an entry-level job,
but advancement in this scientific field will be impossible without
postgraduate qualifications.
Salary
The salary for a palaeontologist range from 39,420 to
135,290 dollars or more. Palaeontologist's with master’s degrees
often are hired right after passing the final examination.
Universities or research institutes almost always offer employment
assistance, or absorb the candidate directly as a faculty member.
Government-funded or privately financed research firms are also on
the lookout for palaeontologists who have some amount of real-world
experience in palaeontology. Such employment news is available both
through Internet job sites and newspaper advertisements.
Additionally, professional associations of palaeontologists offer
information regarding suitable job opportunities in this science.
Advancement Possibilities and Employment Outlook
Palaeontologists need a good amount of experience in
order to advance in their field of work. In the initial stage of
employment, they are often assigned basic fieldwork. They may also be
employed as research assistants or technicians in laboratories. As
palaeontologists gain experience, these scientists can be promoted to
the position of senior researcher or project leader.
University graduates with doctorates in palaeontology
will have excellent employment opportunities. The number of available
job openings will exceed the number of applicants by a good margin
from now until 2016. However, those who wish to work in research
facilities can expect stiff competition, as the number of positions
available there is usually fewer than the number of eligible and
interested candidates.
In my conclusion I’d like to say that palaeontology
is a fun job with various fields of study. The history of
palaeontology, the branches of palaeontology is both great researches. Why I chose this Job is another thing. I chose because it’s fun. I find its place in God and I learn the material. I believe that
palaeontology is a great study and occupation and I hope you like
this.



I must ask you all if you would be so kind as to tell me how I did.  When responding please answer these questions.  

How was it written?
Those it give enough info?
Those it make you want to learn more?
Would you get this job based owned the info in this paper?