Bachelors in Zoology in USA

The zoology major is a gateway to the diverse areas of modern biology. The major can be tailored to prepare students for advanced study and careers in many different areas: health professions and public health; law; life sciences research in university, government, and industrial settings; education including museum, nature center, secondary school, and college teaching; biotechnology; and environmental studies.

Specialized preparation is offered in ecology, systematics, limnology, morphology, molecular biology, cellular biology, developmental biology, genetics, neurobiology, physiology, evolution, and behavior. Several possible areas, emphasizing different interests, are outlined in the requirements tab. They include ecology, evolution, and behavior; anatomy, physiology, and organismal biology; and cellular, molecular, and developmental biology. The department encourages undergraduate participation in research and offers summer research scholarships to outstanding students.

Zoology is a major branch of the biological sciences that involves the study of animals. Study in this area focuses on organismal diversity, animal structures and their functions, genetics, development, evolution, behavior, and ecological interactions. Occupations that may be available to graduates include: Animal Husbandry, Museum/Zoo Guide, Animal Laboratory Technician, Animal Trainer, Pest Control Technician, Museum Curator, Entomologist, Environmental Consultant, Field Researcher, Science Writer, Physician, Veterinarian, Wildlife Rehabilitator, Zoo Keeper, and Zoologist. Advanced training in professional or graduate schools is required in many of these areas and acceptance for advanced training is competitive. Success in this career field typically requires: a thorough knowledge of general biology, the ability to work and relate with animals, proficiency in reading and writing and the ability to collect and analyze data, and an interest in problem solving and decision making.

The Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Zoology builds from the common background of the biology core curriculum to provide ample time for third- and fourth-year students to concentrate in specialized disciplines such as marine and freshwater biology, behavior, cell and developmental biology, ecology, evolution, fisheries, physiology, and neurobiology while giving students the foundation from which they can specialize in the area of zoology. Undergraduate students are encouraged to conduct field or lab-based research which helps determine advanced education disciplines for graduate studies.  Many students ultimately work in the government, environmental agencies, education as well as agricultural, pharmaceutical, and biotechnology industries, where they conduct advanced research and/or teaching.  Zoology majors had the second highest income and lowest unemployment rate according to data from the 2016  U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey.

A traditional program with a hands-on approach, our bachelor’s degree in wildlife, sustainability and ecosystem sciences meets the academic and professional needs of our undergraduate students in a diverse and ever-changing natural resources field. We prepare you to confront the environmental challenges of present and future generations by understanding, managing and conserving wildlife and natural resources that humans depend on.

The study of zoology increases our knowledge of human and animal biology. As in other fields of biology, recent developments in environmental studies, biotechnological research techniques, medicine, and related areas make the study of zoology important and fascinating. These areas are expected to continue growing and to affect our society in many ways and at many levels. Graduates of our Zoology program pursue various careers, depending on their interest, level of educational attainment, and subsequent professional education. Among the more typical career areas are scientific research and development, human and veterinary medicine, environmental monitoring and regulation at state and federal levels, and private design and consulting.

The Zoology option in Biology provides a broad background of knowledge and experience in animal classification, physiology, anatomy, and ecology. Advanced
coursework is available in ornithology (study of birds), entomology (study of insects), mammalogy (study of mammals), herpetology (study of reptiles and
amphibians), ichthyology (study of fish), invertebrate zoology, marine mammalogy, parasitology (study of parasites), and freshwater biology.

Majors selecting this sequence will receive broad training in Zoology, including coursework related to organismal and functional aspects of Zoology.

This highly flexible sequence is designed for students seeking careers that involve working with animals of any kind. This sequence will also prepare students for graduate studies in Zoology and related fields (e.g., entomology, physiology, wildlife biology, animal ecology). With additional coursework, students can meet the requirements to apply to veterinary and health professional schools.

The Bachelor of Science degree in Zoology offers a modern and integrative study of animals. Students learn about individual animals, as well as populations of animals across all levels of biological organization, from genes to ecosystems. The program also focuses on animal behavior and physiology, as well as how animals evolve, contribute to biodiversity and interact with each other and their environment.

Students may seek employment immediately after graduation or continue their education in graduate or professional programs. Those entering the workforce may go on to work for national or local parks, zoos/aquaria, museums, animal research facilities, wildlife rehabilitation centers, veterinarian offices or humane societies. The Department of Biological Sciences has several mechanisms to help students prepare for their future careers.

This program is designed to train students in both theoretical and applied aspects of fisheries and wildlife management. This major is appropriate for those interested in natural resources management careers in state, federal or tribal agencies, non-profit organizations, industry or academia.

Students in this major must specialize in one of three tracks:

Fisheries

Wildlife

Enforcement

Completion of either the fisheries or wildlife tracks will result in meeting the academic requirements for professional certification in either fisheries (American Fisheries Society) or wildlife (The Wildlife Society). Students in the enforcement track will be assigned a secondary advisor in the Criminal Justice department.

Zoology, or the branch of biology that studies the animal kingdom, is a broad and exciting field, and our concentration offers you the flexibility to tailor your degree to match your interests.

While the topic of zoology might first evoke images of zookeepers and veterinarians, our world also needs research-focused scientists who can use their knowledge of animals to explain and sustain our environment. For example, what can bird migration patterns tell us about global climate change? And why are North American bats—which help us by eating large numbers of disease-carrying mosquitos—suddenly developing the fatal “white nose syndrome”? Both of these questions are part of our zoology faculty’s current research.