Zoology???

Question

Okay, I really want to learn more about Zoology and all it offers. It will be at least 4 -5 years before I could even ENTER college, but I was wondering what kind of jobs are there?

How much do you get (on average) get paid annually?

Is Zoology a job itself or more a field with smaller jobs branching off of it?

What kind of classes would I have to take?

How many years would I be in college?

Are jobs widely available or hard to get?

Do you HAVE to work with wild/zoo animals?

Can you major in a specific animal?

Is there any jobs dealing with diets or breeding of animals?

AND

Do you have to be a Veterinarian(sp?) to do anything in the field?

Sorry for all the questions, just please try to answer as many as possible :) I will answer any questions if people ask them xD

Answer 1

How much do you get (on average) get paid annually?

-Don't know specifically, but usually minim wage.

Is Zoology a job itself or more a field with smaller jobs branching off of it?

-Zoology, specifically, is usually a researching occupation.  From the people I know in internships for research, you work for a company and research and find the answers to what they want to know.  But I'm sure there are different forms of zoology as an occupation.

What kind of classes would I have to take?

Pertaining to that class,

vertebrate & invertebrate courses, mammology(sp), and any other animal-ology course the college provides.

Biology and anatomy are very useful.

But generally, it depends on your college's major.

How many years would I be in college?

-As little as 4 years.  But depends on how awsome you want to be at it.  You can get a masters and some colleges even have a P.H.D. available in that category.

Are jobs widely available or hard to get?

Well, they're not the most popular in the world.  The more commonly useful/sought after your service is, the more job possibilities.

Do you HAVE to work with wild/zoo animals?

Not necessarily.  You could research information without doing field work.

Can you major in a specific animal?

It's possible, of course.  But doing so would probably slim your chances of finding a job.  The more you know/can do, the more things people will want you to do.

Is there any jobs dealing with diets or breeding of animals?

I've seen animal dietary specialists (most can be found in zoos and some research food development for animals), and animal breeders are probably mostly needed in animal preservation groups, ect.

AND

Do you have to be a Veterinarian(sp?) to do anything in the field?

Nope.  But it is helpful.

Answer 2

1 - Pay - like with any job, depends on the particular job, your experience and level of training. But since you would have to have at least an undergraduate college degree, better than a lot of unskilled jobs.

2 - Job or Field? - Zoology is a VERY broad field like Biology, only a little less broad (Zoology would be a division of Biology - the study of all life). Zoology is the study of animals which range from microscopic to the largest. It also includes everything about them including their structure, functioning, environment, habitats, etc. Subfields in Zoology can include areas such Neurobiology, Cell or Molecular Biology, Aquatic Systems Biology, Parasitology, Astrobiology - the options available are huge.

3 - Kind of classes to take - Since it's a branch of Biology, a LOT of science, starting with basic biology and chemistry. Then you can add various anatomy and physiology classes, invertebrate biology, microbiology, cell biology, molecular biology, various animal sciences, etc. and more chemistry (organic and biochemistry). You may decide to specialize in a particular organ or system (such as neurobiology) or related to a particular environment (aquatic or astro- biology). Depends on what you want, what's required and what's available at the college or university you attend.

4 - How many years in College? - Depends on what level of training you want. You can major in about any science and finish and undergrad degree (BS or equiv) in 4-5 years of full-time study. A master's degree in sciences is usu an additional 1.5-2 years of full-time study (depending on the specific program requirements) and a Ph.D. (if you want to do research in the field or be in academia such as teach at university level) will require an additional approx. 3-7 years of full-time study - again depending on your particular field, program and college/university attended.

4 - Job availability - Since it's such a broad area, it would depend on the particular type of job you were interested in. But there are a lot of jobs overall available for Zoology majors.

5 - Must work with wild/zoo animals? - Heck no! The "Zoo-" in zoology refers to animals and includes any and all aspects of any living creatures - from molecular aspects to population/ecological/environmental dynamics - and not just on the ones you find in a zoo. Could be the ones living inside you!!! :)

6 - Major in a specific animal - No. You major in an area of zoology, such as vertebrate, invertebrate, aquatic, ruminant, etc. Your graduate studies, however, may lead you to study a particular animal or aspect of an animal or system but your degree would be in a broader area.

7 - Jobs dealing with diets or animal breeding - Yes. Jobs involved with animal nutrition and husbandry (breeding) could range from working with or research involving domestic animals (dogs, cats, horses, fish, tropical fish, birds, livestock etc.) to that involving more exotic species. Or you may study parasites or insects.

8 - Have to be a veterinarian to work in the field? - Heck no. That's like asking if you need to be a medical doctor to work in Biology. Vet's treat and maintain health in animals - a small specialized area in the overall study of zoology - but there are MANY aspects of animal study and maintenance that don't involve treating illness in them.

Asking questions is smart - never apologize. You can google "jobs in zoology" for more info. Usu these also list requirements for those positions also.

Good luck!!! :-)