Master's in Zoology Degree Programs
Earning a master's degree in zoology could allow students to enter into a career where they can study animals and how they live and interact with their environment. Learn more about earning a master's in zoology.
<h2 id="section---ZoologyMasterSDegrees">Zoology Master's Degrees</h2>
<p>Earning a master's degree in zoology will typically take two years. Some common course topics that students can expect to see when in this master's program include cellular biology, ecology, and animal behavior.
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<h3 id="section---CellularBiology"> Cellular Biology</h3>
<p>A course like this is designed to teach students about the make up of cells and organisms. Students could learn about the function and structure of different cells, along with the process of cell growth and transformation. Courses will most likely include both a classroom portion and a laboratory requirement.
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<h3 id="section---MolecularBiology"> Molecular Biology</h3>
<p>Molecular biology is a topic that often focuses on different aspects of DNA and RNA. A class like this can expose students to the replication of DNA, mRNA translation, and gene expression. Other possible topics for this class include the evolution of prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms and gene regulation.
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<h3 id="section---Neuroscience"> Neuroscience</h3>
<p>A neuroscience class is often designed to help students explore how the brain influences behavior. Students typically are exposed to different types of brain activity and the effects on learning and memory. Various topics might include sensory information processing, environmental adaptations, and sleep.
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<h3 id="section---Physiology"> Physiology</h3>
<p>Physiology is considered to be the science of life. In courses like this, students could learn about different mechanisms of living things, cell function, and much more. Studying physiology can help students explore how bodies work, change and adapt. This type of class may also explore what happens in the body during disease or illness.
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<h3 id="section---Ecology"> Ecology</h3>
<p>In an ecology class, students can take a look at interactions between organisms, along with how organisms interact with their environment. Various approaches to ecosystem management might be presented. Students could also gain the tools necessary to predict ecosystem responses in future decades.
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<h3 id="section---AnimalBehavior"> Animal Behavior</h3>
<p>Students may take a look at the basic principles of animal behavior. This type of course could explore the various research methods used in the study of animal behavior. Other topics of study might include how the animals' environments shape and perpetuate their behaviors.
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<h2 id="section---AdmittanceRequirementsForMasterSProgramsInZoology"> Admittance Requirements for Master's Programs in Zoology</h2>
<p>In order to be admitted to a college or university to earn a master's in zoology, students must have earned a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited school. In addition, students must typically hold a minimum of a B average, or a 3.0 GPA. Acceptance into zoology master's degree programs may be competitive, so the higher the GPA, the better. Many schools also require application materials such as letters of recommendation, a personal statement, and CV/resume.
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<h2 id="section---CareersRelatedToAMasterSDegreeInZoology"> Careers Related to a Master's Degree in Zoology</h2>
<h3 id="section---Zoologist"> Zoologist</h3>
<p>Zoologists study various forms of wildlife to explore how they interact with their ecosystems. These scientists are often found working in laboratories or in the field. Although a bachelor's degree may suffice for entry-level positions, a graduate degree is usually required for jobs dealing with research.
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<h3 id="section---NaturalSciencesManager">Natural Sciences Manager</h3>
<p>With degrees at all different levels, these individuals supervise various types of scientists who are performing research. They work in offices and also in the laboratories. These scientists might continue work on their own research, as well as communicate with other top managers.
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<h3 id="section---MuseumCurator"> Museum Curator</h3>
<p>Museum curators work to process and preserve items for a museum so that they can be displayed for visitors to see. They are also responsible for creating and maintaining exhibits. Those with a master's degree in zoology could be prepared for making contributions to exhibits pertaining to animals that can educate museum guests about them and their habitats.
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<table border="1"><tr><th> Career Title </th><th> Median Pay (2018)* </th><th> Job Growth (2018-2028)*</th></tr>
<tr><td> Zoologist </td><td> $63,420 (zoologists and wildlife biologists) </td><td> 5% (zoologists and wildlife biologists)</td></tr>
<tr><td>Natural Sciences Manager </td><td> $123,860 </td><td> 6%</td></tr>
<tr><td> Museum Curator </td><td> $53,780 </td><td> 10% </td><td /></tr>
</table><p><i>*U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics - BLS</i>
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<p>Earning a master's degree in zoology can involve roughly two years, and students often take courses such as cellular biology, physiology, ecology, and many more. This degree can open up an array of job possibilities once completed.</p>