I would love to study primates as a career. What is this called, and how can I go about getting into this?

Question

I'm fascinated by primates, especially chimpanzees and baboons. What careers are available that would let me study and interact with them? What sort of degree would I need?

Answer 1

There are a few different careers that will let you study primates. If you can start getting experience working with animals. If possible, with primates: primate rehab/rescue/sanctuary, zoo, etc. Or experience in whatever field of primatology you want to go into; animal care, anthropology, veterinary, etc.

Try to find a college that offer a degree in the field you want to go into; or at least offers primate classes.

http://pin.primate.wisc.edu/edu/careers/...

Careers Within Primatology

* Animal Care by Linda Brent

* Anthropology by Linda L. Taylor

* Biomedical Research by Reinhold J. Hutz

* Education by Claud A. Bramblett

* Field Research by Kevin Hunt

* Paleontology & Comparative Morphology by Eric Delson

* Psychology by John Capitanio

* Psychology in the UK by Richard W. Byrne

* Sanctuaries by Alan Mootnick

* Veterinary Medicine by Jan C. Ramer

* Zoological Gardens by Helena Fitch-Snyder

* Zoology by Joanna E. Lambert

http://pin.primate.wisc.edu/edu/careers/...

Education Programs

Many colleges and universities in the United States offer courses in primatology. While some institutions specialize in this area, few have specific programs which lead to degrees in "primatology." Instead, students often take degrees in related fields, such as anthropology, psychology, zoology, or veterinary medicine. People planning careers in basic or biomedical research frequently study neurobiology, reproductive physiology, or other medical disciplines.

http://www.aboutbioscience.org/primatolo...

PRIMATOLOGIST

Education/Training

Students interested in a career in primatology can choose from a variety of educational paths. In addition to the disciplines mentioned above, interested students may pursue undergraduate training in ecology, conservation biology, animal behavior, molecular biology, statistics, computer science, science education, journalism, science writing, bacteriology, virology, neuroscience, paleontology, geology, natural resource management and a variety of other fields. Students may seek postgraduate training at medical or veterinary schools, or at universities with programs in any of the academic disciplines listed above.

Despite the wide variety of educational tracks followed by primatologists, there are some common areas. A student interested in primatology will want to have a strong background in the biological sciences, with a focus on evolutionary biology. His or her education should promote computer literacy and familiarity with statistics as well as the development of good communication skills. Foreign languages will be useful, too, because primatology is an international field. Beyond these basic requirements, students should seek training in any area that will allow them to pursue their specific interests.

http://www.asp.org/links/index.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Primatology

http://www.aesop-project.org/Primate_San...

http://casnov1.cas.muohio.edu/primatolog...

http://www.cwu.edu/~primate/program_dis....

http://www.anthropology.wisc.edu/study_g...

http://ssl.brookes.ac.uk/postgraduate/br...

Answer 2

Primatology.

Major in zoology.

Take a strong minor in anthropology.

Answer 3

Primatology. Check out the Tulane University Zoology Department. They have (or had, before Katrina) a primate center. You would probably want to go all the way for a Ph.D.