Why Study Zoology? What You Need to Know to Become a Zoologist
If you’ve always had a strong passion for not only science but also the study of animals in their natural habitat; then maybe you’ve considered a career as a zoologist but aren’t entirely sure of how to get there or what it requires. Well, here you’ll find all the basic and necessary information to help you begin your potential new career as a zoologist.
What exactly does a zoologist do?
A zoologist requires a relatively high level of science through conducting research and analysing data and involves the study of living organisms, meaning animals. In their day-to-day jobs, Zoologists undertake a variety of studies of many animal species in different environments and ecosystems to understand patterns of behaviour.
There are many skills, qualifications and years of study can often take years depending on the course structure or level of study being undertaken.
Here are a range of animal care courses you can undertake to become a Zoologist.
How to become a Zoologist
If you’re searching for the right career pathway to becoming a Zoologist, then the best place to start is a Bachelor of Science majoring in Zoology or biological sciences. A degree in Zoology is also provided at an undergraduate and post-graduate level at various institutions/Universities across Australia.
You can also look into a career as a veterinary assistant before moving into Zoology.
A Master’s Degree is also provided and encouraged as they allow for extra time spent researching and learning new techniques that will prepare you for the career.
A PhD may be required for certain Zoology positions that require a large level of research and planning, such as wildlife management and large research projects.
Popular skills for a Zoologist include:
Specialised Zoology Careers
Herpetologists
Specialises in reptilian and amphibian species
Ornithologists
Focus on the biological nature of birds, including their structure, habitats and evolution and other trends that are specific to their species.
Ichthyologists
Falls under the study of marine biology. This type of Zoologist tend to conduct deep-sea and underwater research relative to species of fish including their habitat, history and development.
Mammalogists
This type of Zoologist studies a variety of mammals in their natural habitat to focus on understanding of their natural biology.
The Duties and Tasks Required of a Zoologist
One of the most important things to note when undertaking your bachelor’s degree in Zoology is to ensure that you’re constantly building up your experience through volunteer work and any extra programs offered within the university you’re completing your degree in.
This is one of the best ways to make sure you’re already learning and understanding the requirements of being a Zoologist because ultimately employers will be looking for people with the right level of experience and skills with problem-solving and research.
The average work hours that a Zoologist undertakes weekly vary greatly for each person in this field and usually depends on the hours of the organisation they’re with. In accordance with this, it’s also not unusual for a Zoologist to work overnight and out of usual work hours on weekends, especially when lengthy research projects and reports are required to be completed.
Here are some courses offered by ShortCourses.com.au that will give you great insight and understanding into the requirements of a Zoologist and prepare you for a bachelor’s degree in University:
Zoology Certificate: 15 weeks to complete, self-paced learning
This course is a great way to kick-start your career as a Zoologist if you haven’t had any previous study. Roles within this certain field can be highly competitive at times so having every opportunity to create more experience will put you further ahead and will make you stand out amongst others.
Carnivore Zoology Certificate: 15 weeks, self-paced learning with 12 months access time
This course is perfect for anyone wanting to specifically work with or study carnivorous animals and will help form a great understanding of general zoo practice nutrition, safety and processes.
Reptile Zoology Certificate: 15 weeks, self-paced learning
This is another great career that will help you either build on to any previous animal care and training you may have already acquired, or it will help form a basis of your understanding of Zoology and add necessary experience to prepare you for a bachelor’s degree in Zoology.
And so, a career in Zoology might be the perfect job for you; especially if you have a passion for animal science, endangered species or wildlife conservation, or have previous experience with animal care and training.
Even if you’ve had no prior study, there are plenty of ways to prepare yourself for a new career such as undertaking a course with shortcourses.com.au which would be an excellent starting point to kick-start your next job prospects in this exciting and challenging field.