Paleontology is a joint discipline, requiring detailed knowledge and training in both biology and geology. Formal undergraduate paleontology programs generally do not exist in American colleges and universities. Instead, paleontology is offered as a subfield in a geology, earth science or biology major. At the University of California, Berkeley interested undergraduate students may take paleontology courses as part of a major in the departments of Integrative Biology or Earth and Planetary Science.

The Museum of Paleontology supports these courses and programs with all of its resources—collections, laboratories, staff, research programs, public lectures, and employment opportunities for students. Interested students should consult the following websites for departmental information on courses and undergraduate admissions.

Integrative Biology (Undergraduate Programs)
Earth and Planetary Science

If you are interested in finding out more about careers in paleontology and how to prepare for them, read "I Want To Be a Paleontologist!", an on-line publication by the Paleontological Research Institute.