Zoology

Why Zoology?

Zoology is the area of biology that focuses on animals, from the level of DNA to whole ecosystems.  Zoology contains many specific subdisciplines, and zoologists approach their study from different levels of organization.  For example, physiologists are interested in the functioning of cells, tissues and organ systems; ecologists are interested in the interactions of animals with one another and with their environment; developmental biologists are concerned with how a multicellular organism forms from a zygote; and molecular biologists study how specific molecules, such as nucleic acids, function in animals.  Some scientists study a particular group of animals, such as birds (ornithologists), mammals (mammalogists), amphibians and reptiles (herpetologists), insects (entomologists), and so on.  These people are concerned with all aspects of the group under study, including their taxonomic status, life history, physiology, ecology, genetics, etc.

The Zoology major is chosen by many students seeking a career in one of the health care professions.  It is also selected by those who wish to study animals as teachers and/or researchers, or who plan a career in one of the many areas within the environmental sciences.plants

What Can I Do With a Major in Zoology

Zoology is the major of choice for students attending medical school, accounting for about two-thirds of the total premedical graduates from Miami. Others choose dental school, veterinary medicine, physical therapy programs, or graduate school in medical technology, pharmacy, optometry, education, or, of course, zoology. Those who seek employment immediately after graduation find positions in a variety of fields. Our graduates report job titles of naturalist, park technician, assistant pathologist, lab technician, technical sales representative, research technician, museum curator, fisheries manager, environmental planner, municipal zookeeper, environmental impact analyst, and high school biology teacher.

Learning Outcomes for the BA/BS in Zoology are to

  1. Locate and cite biology source materials using discipline-specific databases
  2. Articulate questions and hypotheses that drive research in the field of biology
  3. Synthesize, evaluate and accurately summarize information from multiple sources
  4. Integrate core concepts and principles from the biological sciences
  5. Recognize areas requiring further research
  6. Comprehend the broader implications of biological research for health and
  7. Effectively communicate scientific information to both non-specialist (popular) specialist (technical)