Philip Currie
Contact
Professor, Faculty of Science - Biological Sciences
Overview
About
Special Commendations
Alberta Order of Excellence AwardDr. Phil Currie is an internationally renowned palaeontologist whose scientific accomplishments have led to a greater understanding of dinosaurs and their historic significance. He was instrumental in the development of Alberta's RoyalTyrrell Museum and has made major contributions to palaeontology on both the Canadian and the world stage through his extensive field work, academic research, writing and teaching.
Research Associate at the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology
Received an Honorary Doctorate of Laws at the University of Calgary (June 2008)
Research
Research Interests
Works on dinosaurs, focusing on problems with growth and variation, the anatomy and relationships of carnivorous dinosaurs, and the origin of birds. Has a long term goal of understanding the rich Cretaceous ecosystem of Dinosaur Park , and contemporaneous faunas and habitats of other sites in western North America. Is also interested in what can be learned about dinosaurian behaviour, including annual and intercontinental migrations.
Interested in dinosaurs since childhood, he finds that the excitement of discovery (fossils in the field, and ideas in the "lab") constantly renews his interest.
Fieldwork connected with his research has been concentrated in Alberta, British Columbia, the Arctic, Argentina and China. Work on the Centrosaurus bonebed, the origin of birds, "feathered" dinosaurs, hadrosaur nesting sites and the Canada-China Dinosaur Project have attracted the greatest international attention.
Courses
PALEO 400 - Paleontology Field School
Students will learn the techniques of collection, curation and analysis of fossils at major dinosaur sites in Western Canada. The field component of the course will take place during the summer at a field station off campus. Each student will complete assignments in the field and will prepare a written report for completion by the end of October based on data acquired and methods learned during the field component. Prerequisite: Consent of Department. Requires payment of additional student instructional support fees. Refer to the Tuition and Fees page in the University Regulations section of the Calendar. [Faculty of Science]