How to Become a Whale Biologist

A career as a whale biologist can be challenging but also highly satisfactory.

A whale biologist, also called a cetacean biologist, is someone who studies whales, their anatomy, ecosystem and life cycle with the purpose of whale protection and conservation. Cetacean biology, a study of marine mammals including whales, is a subset of marine biology and involves becoming familiar with a vast field of knowledge in subjects such as biology, chemistry, ecology, zoology, conservation and statistics.

Instructions

1. Get a bachelor's degree in marine sciences, marine biology, fisheries, aquaculture or oceanography. Marine sciences is an interdisciplinary degree and includes coursework in marine botany and marine ecology, along with general courses such as biology, physics, mathematics and statistics. When choosing courses for your semi-electives and electives, speak to the undergraduate adviser about developing a coherent emphasis that will help you move toward a career in whale biology.

2. Volunteer for a not-for-profit organization. Before progressing to graduate studies, volunteering will help you get some field experience and help decide whether you want to continue the academic training and research required to become a whale biologist.

3. Obtain a graduate degree. While a master's or doctoral degree isn't an absolute requirement for a marine biologist, if you want to narrow your focus to marine mammals or whales in particular, post-graduate academic training in highly recommended. A master's or doctoral degree will open doors to research laboratories and grants for field research. Before applying for a master's or doctoral program, make sure the university offers extensive coursework in the field you've chosen. The department of marine sciences should have a satisfactory research infrastructure and be affiliated to institutes or organizations working in the field on whale research and conservation projects.

4. Complete an internship. While enrolled in your graduate program, apply for summer internships. The Whale Center of New England, the Ocean Mammals Institute and the Pacific Whale Institute are three of several not-for-profit institutes which offer field or research internships to graduate students.

5. Build a career in whale biology. If you obtain a doctoral degree and demonstrate sufficient expertise via your dissertation and journal publications, you can apply to become an university professor. You can also apply to become a resident researcher in a whale conservation institute or research organization, or apply for jobs offered by major aquarium centers across the country.

References

• Vancouver Aquarium: Career as a Whale Biologist or Researcher
• Cascadia Research Collective: Advice for a Career in Marine Mammals
• Marine Bio: Marine Biology Degree Programs in the U.S.
• Atlantic Whale Foundation: Volunteer Book Form
• Marine Bio: Marine Biology Laboratories, Institutes and Graduate Programs
• Marine Conservation Biology Institute: Career Resources and Links

Resources

• The Society of Marine Mammal Science: Registration Open
• Atlantic Whale Foundation: Home
• Columbia University: Summer Internships in Biology
• Oregon State University: Marine Mammal Institute
• The Whale Center of New England: Internships