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Zoologist Career Requirements
Zoologists are wildlife biologists that study living organisms--animals specifically--in their natural habitat and in artificial environments like zoos and aquariums. To become a zoologist, you will have to fulfill career requirements in education ranging from at least a bachelor's degree to a master's degree or PhD.
Speaking broadly, the zoologist's two main career requirements are a love of animals and continuing education. If you have the passion, the right education can lead to three main careers: zookeeper, director, or curator. All three zoologist careers share overlapping educational requirements. In all three cases, you'll need at least a bachelor's degree in a biological science. During your undergraduate study, you'll learn subjects like zoology, anatomy, and virology. English classes are helpful for those in zoologist careers who contribute articles to trade journals (writing for the journals is a good way for zoologists to bring in extra money). Practical experience is also a key zoologist career requirement. Enrolling in internships or volunteer programs at zoos can be a good way for you to gain experience while studying in an undergraduate program.
If you decide to turn your zoology career towards work as a zoo director or coordinator, courses in business can also be helpful, since zoo directors and coordinators must oversee the business administration of zoos--from fundraising and animal procurement to hiring researchers, and preparing budgets. After the more general bachelor's degree, you'll most likely want to continue with a master's degree or a PhD. The particular degree will vary by specialization. As a zoologist, you can specialize in ornithology, mammalogy, herpetology, or ichthyology (birds, mammals, reptiles, and fish, respectively).
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