What Preparation Is Needed to Become a Zoologist?
Becoming a zoologist requires extensive education and preparation. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, zoologists and other wildlife biologists made a median salary of $56,500, as of May 2009, with the highest paid professionals in the field pulling in more than $93,140 per year. Jobs for biological scientists were expected to increase in number by about 21 percent from 2008 to 2018.
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Undergraduate Education
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The first step in becoming a zoologists is to complete a formal degree program in biology. Some colleges and universities offer the opportunity to pursue specialized study in preparation for a career in zoology as part of a biological sciences degree program, while others only offer general degrees in biology. Preparation at the undergraduate level requires a combination of coursework and laboratory experience.
Graduate Education
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Although some positions in the field of zoology are open to applicants with only a bachelor's degree, most positions will require a master's degree or doctorate, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Those who plan to work in academic positions and pursue advanced research need to complete a Ph.D. The master's degree, on the other hand, can provide the necessary background for those working in other settings like zoos or wildlife refuges. Independent researchers who seek private and public funding for their research typically need to hold the doctorate.
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Fellowships
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An additional way to prepare for a career as a zoologist is via a post-doctoral fellowship that provides additional funding for specific research projects. A fellowship will provide the researcher with the opportunity to research and publish her findings in academic journals or even in book form. This type of research opportunity can be important for aspiring academic zoologists who want to seek a career at the college or university level. Having several academic publications under your belt can help you land a full-time position later on.
Other Preparation
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Zoologists need to pick up a number of different skills along the way throughout the course of their academic preparation. According to O*NET Online, among the long list of required skills a zoologist needs is an understanding of computers and scientific software used in the field of zoology. The use of computer modeling and statistical software is common among zoologists, as is the use of geographic information systems, map creation software and database and relational database programs.
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References
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