Ep 47 - Science Advanced - Global Challenges and Palaeontology

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What we’re talking about:

This week’s guest, Jack, is completing his Honours year in the Bachelor of Science Advanced - Global Challenges at Monash University, and he has a major in Ecology and Conservation Biology and a minor in Zoology. For his Honours project, Jack is investigating the Zygomaturus, a giant extinct marsupial that lived over 30,000 years ago in Tasmania. He shares great information about the very unique course he’s doing, as well as the experiences he’s had throughout the course to explore what his career might look like and the fascinating work he’s doing now. For those of us who dreamt of being a palaeontologist as a child, his insights show us what a career in palaeontology actually looks like.

Collaboration in VCE

In the beginning of this conversation, Jack and I discuss the competitive nature of VCE and he gives some great examples of how you can counter that and create more of a collegiate atmosphere at school (and in the process, get more out of it than if you’re just focusing on your ATAR).

Science Advanced - Global Challenges

Monash introduced the Bachelor of Science Advanced - Global Challenges a few years ago now, and it’s a very small cohort within the larger Bachelor of Science. Jack explains that in this course they focus on larger themes like leadership, business and connecting with industry, science communication, building your network and an exchange. Jack also shares what his internship looked like and how students were able to report back to the rest of the group, helping to build self confidence and communication skills.

What does a Palaeontologist do?

Jack does a great job of giving us an insight into the world of palaeontology by explaining how his Honours project works. The project he’s doing is part of a collaboration between the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery, the Evomorph lab at Monash, Melbourne Museum and the Queen Victoria Museum in Launceston, and Jack explains how he and the partner he’s working with are investigating the Zygomaturus using a range of really interesting methods and equipment. He explains how they will share their work with the scientific community at the end of the year, but also how the team will communicate their findings to the general public by planning and creating an exhibit at the museum.

Links mentioned:

My website: https://www.roadmapeducation.com

Check out career planning digital resources here: https://www.roadmapeducation.com/resources

Bachelor of Science Advanced - Global Challenges at Monash: https://www.monash.edu/study/courses/find-a-course/2022/science-advanced-global-challenges-s3001