The Zoology major offers scientific training in the organismal biology, ecology, diversity and evolution of animals. The major core provides a solid foundation in the biological sciences, while electives allow students to cater coursework to meet specific interests in animal biology. Zoology majors enter such varied fields as animal care and husbandry, curatorial and museum management, laboratory animal research, field biology and conservation, and environmental management and policy. The Zoology major is not suitable for pre-veterinary medicine students as it does not include the required prerequisite coursework (see the option in Pre-Veterinary Medicine in the Biology major).
1. Students will be able to explain and apply the fundamental concepts of the zoological sciences including:
- Animal Diversity
- Ecology and Evolution
- Organismal Biology
- Cell Biology and Genetics
2. Students will be able to apply the process of science through:
- Accessing primary literature, identifying relevant works for a particular topic, and evaluating the scientific content of these works.
- Formulating testable hypotheses based on observation, gathering data to address these hypotheses and analyzing those data to assess the degree to which their hypothesis is supported. Employing fundamental quantitative and statistical principles to present and critique scientific findings.
3. Students will be able to communicate scientific information through effective formal and informal writing and speaking in a format used by practicing scientists.
4. Students will be able to integrate and analyze information across levels of organization ranging from cells to ecosystems within the zoological sciences to formulate arguments and critically evaluate scientific claims.
5. Students will be able to conduct background research and apply fundamental zoological science principles to make informed decisions on socio-scientific issues.
