Zoology
The study of animals: behavior, physiology, and diversity.
Zoology focuses specifically on animals, their anatomy, physiology, behavior, evolution, and the diversity of animal life. It builds from general biology into specialized coursework in animal-focused subfields, and often includes options to focus on a particular group (like ornithology or entomology).
Field and lab work both play a role, observing animal behavior in natural or controlled settings, and dissection or physiology labs for anatomical study, with many programs offering field courses at biological stations or in partnership with zoos and wildlife organizations.
Typical courses you might take
- ✓General Biology & Chemistry
- ✓Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy
- ✓Animal Behavior
- ✓Invertebrate Zoology
- ✓Evolutionary Biology
- ✓Animal Physiology
- ✓Ecology
- ✓Field Studies / Research Project
Sample four-year plan
Illustrative, not a registration planOne possible way these courses could be sequenced alongside general education and elective credit. Real programs vary in order, pacing, and prerequisites by school, use this to get a rough sense of the arc, not to plan actual registration.
- ✓General Biology & Chemistry
- +General education requirement
- ✓Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy
- +General education requirement
- ✓Animal Behavior
- +General education requirement
- ✓Invertebrate Zoology
- +Free elective
- ✓Evolutionary Biology
- +Free elective
- ✓Animal Physiology
- +Elective in the major (or minor coursework)
- ✓Ecology
- +Elective in the major (or minor coursework)
- ✓Field Studies / Research Project
- +Capstone, thesis, or culminating project (common in many programs)
Skills you'll build
This major might be a good fit if you...
- ★Passionate about animals and animal behavior
- ★Enjoys both fieldwork and lab-based anatomy study
- ★Interested in wildlife conservation, veterinary paths, or research
- ★Comfortable with outdoor and sometimes physically demanding fieldwork
Common minors & double-major pairings
Environmental Science · Chemistry · Statistics
Roles this major could lead to
Factual, day-to-day descriptions from our Career Role Encyclopedia, not a guarantee this major leads to any specific job.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Zoology major?
The study of animals: behavior, physiology, and diversity.
What courses do Zoology majors take?
Typical coursework includes classes like General Biology & Chemistry, Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy, Animal Behavior, among others, see the full course list above for this major's typical lineup.
What skills do you build in a Zoology program?
Zoology coursework typically builds skills like Animal anatomy and physiology knowledge, Field observation and behavioral research methods, Species identification and classification, Lab dissection and technique.
Is Zoology a good major for me?
It tends to be a good fit if signals like "Passionate about animals and animal behavior" or "Enjoys both fieldwork and lab-based anatomy study" describe you. See the full "good fit if you..." list above for more.
What can you do with a Zoology degree?
Majors in this field often go on to roles like Wildlife Biologist. See our Career Role Encyclopedia for more, a major shapes what you study, not a guarantee of any specific job.
What other majors pair well with Zoology?
Common minor or double-major pairings include Environmental Science, Chemistry, Statistics.
How is Zoology different from Biology?
They're related but distinct. Zoology: The study of animals: behavior, physiology, and diversity. Biology: The broad study of living things, from cells to ecosystems. Use the compare tool to see courses and skills side by side.
How long does it take to earn a Zoology degree?
Most bachelor's degrees, including this one, are designed to be completed in about four years of full-time study. Exact timing depends on your school, course load, transfer credit, and any changes of major along the way.
Printed from majoratlas.com/majors/zoology