What Classes Are Required for a Bachelor's Degree in Zoology?
What is a Zoologist?
Zoology careers can range from a variety of positions, from a zookeeper to a marine biologist to a veterinary technician. People who choose this career field might study animals and their habitat, conduct research about a particular species, or even work directly with animals in person, proving there's many things to do with a zoology degree.
What Is the Best Degree Path for Becoming a Zoologist?
Zoologists study animals in the laboratory and in natural settings, so you must first obtain a bachelor’s degree in biology or zoology to secure an entry-level job. Obtaining a master’s degree or a PhD in a zoological specialty strongly improves the opportunities for job advancement.
Like biology classes, chemistry classes are another core requirement for any zoology major. Chemistry classes teach students to use basic, fundamental knowledge of the properties of various elements and use that knowledge in solving chemical problems. Multiple levels of chemistry classes may be needed for degree completion. The knowledge gained in chemistry is used by professionals in the field. For example, a working zoologist may study the effects of chemical contamination of a habitat on the animals that live in that habitat.
Programs like these give students the opportunity to experiment within different fields in the zoology area, gaining valuable experience in the laboratory, in zoos and preserves, and in field studies, as well as the opportunity to make crucial decisions about the field they want to pursue in the future.
Zoology majors place a heavy emphasis on biology, which is the study of the inner workings of organic life on earth. This includes animals, and is explored down to the cellular level. Biology classes lay the framework for more in-depth, specific science courses down the road. Information learned in the various biology classes available at the university level is likely to be used by biologists and zoologists actually working in the field.
1. Bachelor’s Degree. Anyone who wants a career in zoology needs to begin with a four-year bachelor’s degree in the field or in a related one . If you don’t want to do a zoology degree or colleges near you don’t offer one, then you can consider either an online zoology degree or a similar program of study.
Government jobs: People with zoology degrees can be hired by government offices or laboratories to help conduct research, studies, or work on policies that affect animal conservation.
Since zoologists study animals in both their natural habitats and in man-made environments, such as zoos and aquariums, they’re able to get a deeper understanding of species and their needs. This makes them experts in developing ways to conserve and protect endangered species.
1. Marine Zoology . If you have a fascination with aquatic life, then marine zoology or biology can be the perfect specialization for you. With this specialty, you’ll take a look at the underwater world and take a look at marine conservation, such as how global warming affects sea life and the aquatic food chain.
At the moment, jobs in the field of zoology and wildlife biology are expected to continue to grow by 5% until 2022. While any increase in job demand is good, this is less than average compared to other occupations.
Zoology is a branch of biology that focuses on the study of both living and extinct animals. Zoology specializes in taking a look at different elements that play a part in animal survival and well-being, such as evolution, genetics, physiology, behavior, habits, interactions, as well as their environment.
Zoologists look at how their behaviors, habitats, food, and well-being are affected by their environments. These are only general examples of the different things zoologists can do. There are many specialties, a few of which we’ll touch upon later, and each one brings with it different areas of study and expertise.
Courses like plant biology, taxonomy courses, oceanography, entomology, zoogeography or general ecology will introduce zoology majors ...
A Bachelor of Science degree in zoology offers a solid background in the biological study of animals and animal life, with courses in topics such as evolution, marine biology, physiology, conservation and ecology. Students with a B.S. in zoology are prepared to move on to graduate school, professional programs such as medical school ...
Zoology majors must initially complete two semesters of general biology with lab, which include surveys of both cell and molecular biology as well as evolution and ecology. Next, students generally take at least one additional course, like molecular biology, cell biology, developmental biology, neurobiology or histology.
Two semesters of introductory physics are also required for the B.S. in zoology. Most physics courses are calculus-based, and therefore students must take a semester of calculus before attempting the physics courses. In addition to calculus, a statistics course is often required, as it deals with the collection and analysis of observational data.
For example, composition is required to assist in research, written communication and analytical skills, which are necessary in zoology. In addition, a few elective courses are also required, allowing students to delve more deeply into their interest areas, or to further prepare them for a postgraduate career or graduate school.
Typically offered as a Bachelor of Science (BSc), zoology courses will often start with a general study of the key concepts of biosciences, including essential molecules, genes and cells.
Other zoology specializations you could study include: microbiology, zoology with psychology, zoology with biotechnology, pre-veterinary zoology (mainly available in the US), and various branches of zoology related to individual animals, such as equine science. Discover the world’s top universities for biological sciences.
Zoology is a branch of biology which specializes in the study of animals both living ... Zoology is a branch of biology which specializes in the study of animals both living and extinct, including their anatomy and physiology, embryology, genetics, evolution, classification, habits, behavior and distribution.
Most BSc Zoology degrees are three or four years long, depending on the country in which you study, and you’ll typically be able to specialize your degree as you progress. You’ll explore the latest laboratory techniques and apply what you have learned in field work.
A specialization in marine zoology/biology will focus on the behavior, physiology, and ecology of marine organisms. You’ll also look at the processes and functions of marine ecosystems, gaining a deeper understanding of the diversity of aquatic life and how food chains are affected by factors such as global warming and fisheries.
Other zoology career options you could consider include: laboratory technician, animal caretaker, toxicologist, higher education lecturer, biomedical scientist and environmental education officer. Another option is a role as a veterinary surgeon – in the US, you can often study a pre-veterinary zoology track to give you a head start if you intend to progress to veterinary school.
The exact work you’ll undertake depends on your employer and the role’s purpose, but you might be involved with taxonomy (classifying organisms ); researching the impact of human activity on environments; or testing samples to investigate issues such as pollution.
It typically takes four years to earn a bachelor’s degree in wildlife conservation, which is the basic level of zoologist education needed to enter the field. Some of the main courses you'll need to take at the university level include biology, chemistry, physics and math.
You might consider a Ph.D. program if you're looking for researching and teaching opportunities in zoology. Earning a master’s degree usually takes two years with 30 hours of fieldwork. A Ph.D. program may require at least five years of academic instruction.
May 24, 2021. Zoology is a branch of biology that studies animal life. These professionals examine behaviors within a certain population and how species can interact with one another. In this article, we outline what a zoologist does, the average salary of a zoologist, types of zoologists and how to become one.
As animals adjust to climate change and human impact, zoologists play a crucial role in protecting endangered animal populations. A zoologist’s duties may include:
The national average salary for zoologists is $71,149 per year but a zoologist's salary can vary depending on their experience and where they work. Those who work in federal government typically earn the most. Five cities that pay high salaries are Baileys Crossroads, VA; Salt Lake City, UT; Anchorage, AK; Sacramento, CA; and Lakewood, CO. For the most up-to-date salary information from Indeed.com, click on the salary link.
Zoologists may work indoors, conducting lab experiments and preparing reports. Most work outdoors with frequent travel to collect specimens, gather data, monitor species and manage wildlife populations. Zoologists may face difficult terrain and harsh weather conditions. Whether in the lab or the field, their hours may be long and irregular depending on their task.
Generally, a zoologist works with one type of animal and has the opportunity to study their environment, well-being and interactions with humans, predators and prey. Working in these specialty fields usually requires a master's or a doctoral degree to perform research.
It does come at a significant cost, however, around $55,000 for the entire program. Still, this is cheaper than many four-year undergraduate programs, even those in-state.
The core modules comprise the following classes: Introduction to Ecology, Vertebrate Zoology, Wildlife Management, and Environmental Assessment. Additionally, you’ll be able to choose two specializations within zoology beside your core coursework.
This short online marine zoology course costs $50 or $75, depending on whether you want a certificate upon completion. Some of the 13 lessons bear titles like Biology, Why Do Animals Strand?, Stranding Networks, Basic Rescue, and Rehabilitation Process. By the end of the course, you’ll learn how to perform a basic rescue and how to alert the proper authorities.
The four-week course is broken down into one unit per week for 12 weeks, covering topics like appearance and anatomy, death and fossilization, eating, and moving around. The course is short, with only one to two hours of actual coursework per week, though you should study the materials for five to ten hours per week.
Cornell University’s Bird Academy focuses on all things relating to birds. Whether you’re an ornithologist or an amateur bird watcher, understanding bird behavior is crucial. It’s pretty cool, too. Imagine being able to know when a bird is angry, happy, or in a romantic mood.
Dino 101: Dinosaur Paleobiology by the University of Alberta. Zoology goes way back. Yes, all the way back to the time of the dinosaurs, and then some. If you’re most interested in the animals of days gone by, consider this University of Alberta offering on the Coursera platform.
Sure you can! Zoology, especially wildlife conservation, is a quickly growing field. It’s also pretty competitive, especially specific fields like botany and marine biology. But if you love your domain enough, there’s a good chance you’ll find success.
Many zoology graduates go to veterinary school or medical school, using their broad understanding of biology as a base. Some graduates seek higher degrees to lead their own research projects or work in private industries that produce pharmaceuticals or food.
Zoology majors gain a deep understanding of animals, from their biology and evolution to diseases and behavior. By Josh Rhoten.
Zoology is the study of the animal kingdom including biology, the environment and evolution in a controlled or natural environment. This major provides students a foundation in the basic principles of biology and physical sciences so they can pursue careers in conservation, animal-related businesses or public education. The degree is also a good option for those interested in medicine or veterinary school, as students can learn the foundational biological principles and history of disease, injury and illness in animals and humans.
Zoology majors begin with subjects such as biology, chemistry, math and physics. These classes help students understand organisms from the molecular level to the highest systems level and provide an introduction to areas like anatomy and genetics.
Possible topics include conservation, animal behavior or ecology – which defines how animals interact with one another and their physical environments. Other classes offer deeper exploration of specific types of organisms, such as vertebrates and invertebrates. Students interested in continuing their education to become medical doctors or veterinarians can start that process in these courses as well, often through specially designed tracks. These paths include courses like mammalian physiology, organic chemistry and human anatomy.
Entry-level opportunities include jobs as park rangers or animal biologists. Work with wildlife conservation organizations or animal shelters is also popular. Some graduates find work in the public sector, either helping create policy or with government agencies like the Smithsonian Institution or the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Jobs revolving around research are common, from studies of ocean marine life to data collection monitoring the human impact on animal habitats.
Certain jobs in zoology require at least a bachelor's degree, while others require advanced degrees. In this article, we discuss available jobs in zoology and what education is required to work in each role.
With a bachelor's degree, you have access to a wider range of career opportunities and jobs in zoology. This degree can take four years or more to earn, although if you earn an associate degree, you can often transfer your credits and go on to earn a bachelor's degree in a shorter period of time. 4. Veterinary nurse.
Their duties include cleaning up after the animals, maintaining enclosures that provide what the animals need to thrive, monitoring animals and reporting any behavioral or nutritional changes or needs and following safety procedures. Some zookeepers interact with zoo guests by providing presentations or tours.
Primary duties: A veterinary technician is responsible for working directly with animals in a veterinary clinic. They handle animals for physical examinations, X-rays and other diagnostic tests, communicate with pet owners and clinic staff, collect vital signs, administer oral and injected medications and maintain the cleanliness of the clinic.
Zoology is a scientific field, so much of the coursework focuses on science related to animals and wildlife, including their habitats, behaviors, nutritional needs and activity. Depending on the level of education you obtain, you can find various careers for zoology majors that allow you to apply your skills and often work directly with animals.
Primary duties: An animal nutritionist is responsible for studying the nutritional needs of animals and analyzing the nutritional value of various animal feed products. The data they procure through their studies is often used to improve the dietary products fed to animals.
Primary duties: A zoology professor is responsible for teaching courses in zoological sciences and other sciences in a higher education institution. They will interact with students at all levels of the post-secondary educational experience, prepare lessons, plan and grade assignments and examinations and set up and supervise experiments.