All About the Zoology Program for Animal Lovers

For those of you who like animals, then the Zoology major can be an option. Zoology is a branch of biology that studies the function, structure, evolution, and behavior of animals. In addition, zoology also includes comparative anatomy, molecular biology, animal psychology, evaluative biology, behavioral ecology, paleontology and taxonomy. Let's find out more about the Zoology major in the discussion below.

Getting to Know the Zoology Major

The word zoology itself comes from Greek, namely zoios which means animal, and logos which means science. From the meaning of this word, it can be concluded that zoology is the science that studies animals. The main focus of this major is to observe and study, starting from the shape of animals, how they reproduce, adapt, their role in the ecosystem and how animals evolve.

Zoologists will be sensitive when an ecosystem or food chain begins to become unbalanced. They can identify each predator to find out where the damage or error is in the food chain.

Zoologist is the term for people who major in Zoology, which is the science that studies animal life. For Zoology is a branch of Biology that specifically discusses how animals live, their behavior and adaptation.

What is Studied in the Zoology Department?

Observing and studying animals in the Zoology Department means understanding the physical form of animals, the inside of animals, and the psychology of animals. Some of the scope of lessons that you will encounter in the Zoology Department, such as:

• Animal genetics and morphology

• Animal development structure

• Parasitology

• Etymology

• Physiology

• Reproductive physiology

• Embryology

• Nutritional physiology

• Histology

• Comparative anatomy

• Reproductive biology

• Basic animal husbandry

• Evolution of extinction

• Entomology

• Primate psychology

• Marine biology

Relax, you will not be bored if you learn about animals, because in this department you will also interact directly with various types of animals, including wild animals in the wild. In addition to being a branch of Biology, Zoology also has several interests, such as:

• Entomology: deals with all things insects

• Invertebrates: deals with invertebrates

• Malacology: studies all aspects of molluscs

• Ornithology

• Herpetology: reptiles and amphibians

• Ichthyology

• Primatology: studies primates

• Mammal studies

Universities with Zoology Departments

There are no Zoology Departments in universities in Indonesia. However, you can study Zoology through several elective courses at several universities, such as:

• Gajah Mada University (UGM)

• Makassar University

• Jenderal Soedirman University

For foreign universities majoring in Zoology, namely:

• University of Cambridge

• University of Oxford

• Harvard University

• University of Melbourne

• Massachusetts Institute of Technology

• University College London

• Stanford University

• Cornell University

• University of California

• University of Wisconsin

The Zoology major only takes 4 years to graduate. During college, students will conduct research and visit animal conservation centers. You can also join as a volunteer to save animal habitats

Career Prospects for Zoology Graduates

1. Zoologist

It’s no surprise that the most popular career choice for people with a zoology degree is becoming a zoologist. Zoologists will study creatures in their natural habitat, either in captivity or found in the wild. A zoologist’s professional responsibilities include conducting experiments in a laboratory, writing reports, and presenting their findings.

2. Animal Behaviorist

The next career prospect for Zoology majors is animal behaviorist. What makes animals tick is of interest to students enrolled in the zoology major. Animal behaviorists will investigate the habits, social relationships, environment, and health of animals, as well as how and why they behave the way they do. The study of animal-human interactions, or anthropozoologica, is a specialty of behaviorists. Animal behaviorists are researchers who focus on interactions between owners and their pets.

3. Conservationist

Working with wildlife involves more than just studying the thoughts and behaviors of living things; it also involves protecting the animals and their environment to ensure the survival of their populations in the future.

The goal of conservationists is to build environmental awareness and save animals. They help manage and preserve wildlife and natural resources and often work for government organizations.

4. Veterinarian

One of the most popular medical and veterinary departments is zoology. Those who pursue a career in veterinary medicine may pursue an interest in biology and anatomy, which they were interested in during a zoology degree program.

A veterinarian’s job is to treat animals like a doctor, ensuring their well-being and safety. Veterinarians can choose from many different career options like most medical professionals. While the level of training and specialization varies, all veterinarians, technicians, assistants, and surgeons work to maintain the health of domestic and wild animals.

5. Academic Researcher

The study of zoology is based on data and inquiry. To gain more knowledge about their chosen specialty, professional researchers spend their careers measuring, observing, experimenting, and conducting rigorous research. Collecting research and presenting it to the public and other academics is a big part of this endeavor.

6. Zookeeper

Many zoology graduates want to work in zoos. Prospective employees at zoos and aquariums can be prepared for a variety of tasks and responsibilities by studying zoology. Zookeepers, for example, keep the environment clean, administer medication, care for various animals, and perform other tasks necessary to ensure the safety and well-being of the animals.

For those who enjoy working with people in addition to animals, zoos are a fantastic place. Learn about conservation initiatives, the creatures on display, and how each individual can contribute to environmental preservation from zoo educators.

6. Animal Nutritionists

Animals need nutritious food to stay healthy and live fulfilling lives, just like humans. Animal nutritionists study the nutritional needs and quality of different animals’ diets. They collaborate with feed manufacturers to identify optimal feeding schedules for pets, zoo animals, and other species.

That's a little bit of a complete discussion that can be explained in this article about the Zoology major. With a degree in zoology, career prospects are practically limitless. Students who complete this flexible curriculum will have special talents that can be used in a variety of career fields, including academic roles, field work, and direct animal care. One career that is suitable for Zoology graduates is working in the natural environment and learning about animals.