Zoology Schools and Training Programs
Training options in zoology include bachelor's, master's and doctoral degree programs. These programs feature many biology courses and can prepare you for a job as a zoologist or an animal researcher, among other options. Get info on choosing a school for your zoology education, and find out if online learning options are available.
What You Need to Know
Zoologists study all aspects of animal life. Multiple degree programs are available, and most programs require students to have some hands-on experience. A zoology degree leads well into other related fields like biology, veterinary science, and wildlife conservation. Students can take some zoology courses online but can't complete an entire zoology degree without in-person work.
<table border="1"><tr><td><b>Degrees</b></td><td> Associate's, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Courses</b></td><td> Depending on your specialty you may have courses in biology, wildlife, ecology, and medicine</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Online</b></td><td> Online zoology degrees aren't offered but some related coursework is available online</td></tr>
</table><h3 id="section---WhatUndergraduateTrainingProgramsAreAvailableInZoology">What Undergraduate Training Programs Are Available in Zoology?</h3><p>Zoology is the study of the biology of animals. You can choose to study zoology at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. The training you choose depends largely on your career aspirations. This training is different from that of zoo technology, which is found at 2-year colleges and prepares you for entry-level work in a zoo.
</p><p>Undergraduate and graduate degree programs in zoology are found in the zoology or biology departments of 4-year colleges and universities. Both Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts degrees in zoology are available. Undergraduate zoology specializations include fisheries biology, pre-veterinary science, environmental biology and wildlife conservation. These programs can be a springboard for graduate study in ecology, biology, zoology, medicine or other related fields. Alternately, they can prepare you for a career as a zoologist in the environmental sciences, conservation or veterinary fields, to name a few.
</p><h3 id="section---WhatDoINeedToKnowAboutGraduatePrograms">What Do I Need to Know About Graduate Programs?</h3><p>Master's and Ph.D. programs in zoology require that you conduct original specialized research. A master's degree in zoology is beneficial for career advancement in biology fields, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. If you want to become a wildlife biologist or zoologist researcher or professor, you'll need a Ph.D.
</p><h3 id="section---WhatShouldILookForInASchool">What Should I Look for in a School?</h3><p>When selecting a zoology school, you'll want to seek a school with adequate laboratory space and equipment, since zoology classes typically make use of lab settings. Also, look for schools that have affiliations with local organizations, such as national parks, where you might want to do fieldwork. Lastly, choose a school that has faculty who research areas of specialization that interest you. These are some of the schools offering zoology training programs:
</p><ul><li>University of Wyoming (Laramie)
</li><li>Canisius College (Buffalo, NY)
</li><li>Michigan State University (East Lansing)
</li><li>Liberty University (Lynchburg, VA)
</li><li>University of Florida (Gainesville)
</li><li>Cornell University (Ithaca, NY)
</li></ul><h3 id="section---WhatWillILearn">What Will I Learn?</h3><p>A bachelor's degree program in zoology includes courses in biology and zoology, as well as various subfields. You'll learn about the biological makeup of animals, their habitats and behaviors. Many of your major classes will have laboratory components and internship requirements. Consider some of the following topics covered in an undergraduate program:
</p><ul><li>Microbiology
</li><li>Evolution
</li><li>Invertebrate zoology
</li><li>Vertebrate zoology
</li><li>Parasitology
</li><li>Ichthyology
</li></ul><p>With master's degree and Ph.D. programs, you'll take courses related to your area of interest along with general research courses. A program at the graduate level could be offered in combination with a related field, like wildlife conservation, and could include concentration options, like histology, ecology, animal cytology or developmental biology. A thesis or dissertation is typically required.
</p><h3 id="section---WhatOnlineOptionsDoIHave">What Online Options Do I Have?</h3><p>Due to the hands-on nature of a zoology program, there aren't any fully online degree programs available as of 2018. If you are completing an undergraduate program, some schools will allow you to take a few zoology courses online. You might also be able to complete some of your general education requirements through online courses. Hybrid graduate programs also exist in specialties, such as anthrozoology.</p>