Biological and Biomedical Sciences
Zoology/Animal Biology
Focuses on the scientific study of the biology of animal species and phyla, with reference to their molecular and cellular systems, anatomy, physiology, and behavior. Covers molecular and cell biology, microbiology, anatomy and physiology, ecology and behavior, evolutionary biology, and applications to specific species and phyla.
Inside the major
Programs within this field
Colleges may offer this field under 5 more specific program names. The program you choose affects the courses you take.
- Entomology
- Focuses on the scientific study of insect species and populations in respect of their life cycles, morphology, genetics, physiology, ecology, taxonomy, population dynamics, and environmental and economic impacts. Covers applicable biological and physical sciences as well as insect toxicology and the biochemical control of insect populations.
- Animal Physiology
- Focuses on the scientific study of function, morphology, regulation, and intercellular communications and dynamics within vertebrate and invertebrate in animal species, with comparative applications to homo sapiens and its relatives and antecedents. Covers reproduction, growth, lactation, digestion, performance, behavioral adaptation, sensory perception, motor action, phylogenetics, biotic and abiotic function, membrane biology, and related aspects of biochemistry and biophysics.
- Animal Behavior and Ethology
- Focuses on the scientific study of the psychological and neurological bases of animal sensation, perception, cognition, behavior, and behavioral interactions within and outside the species. Covers ethology, behavioral neuroscience, neurobiology, behavioral evolution, cognition and sensory perception, motivators, learning and instinct, hormonal controls, reproductive and developmental biology, community ecology, functional behavior, and applications to specific behaviors and patterns as well as to specific phyla and species.
- Wildlife Biology
- Focuses on the application of biological principles to the study of vertebrate wildlife, wildlife habitats, and related ecosystems in remote and urban areas. Covers animal ecology; adaptational biology; urban ecosystems; natural and artificial habitat management; limnology; wildlife pathology; and vertebrate zoological specializations such as mammalogy, herpetology, ichthyology, ornithology, and others.
- Zoology/Animal Biology, Other
- Zoology/animal biology not listed above.
Also called Wildlife and Conservation Biology
Where it can lead
Careers this field can lead to
Explore related careers, starting with the closest connections and the occupations hiring the most people.
Natural Sciences Managers
- Median pay
- $167,220
- Hiring change through 2035
- 8.2%
- Job openings a year
- 9,200
To get hiredBachelor's degree
Explore this career GrowingBiological Technicians
- Median pay
- $57,510
- Hiring change through 2035
- 7.4%
- Job openings a year
- 9,400
To get hiredBachelor's degree
Explore this career GrowingBiological Science Teachers, Postsecondary
- Median pay
- $84,620
- Hiring change through 2035
- 7.3%
- Job openings a year
- 4,700
To get hiredDoctoral or professional degree
Explore this career Growing with the economyZoologists and Wildlife Biologists
- Median pay
- $76,780
- Hiring change through 2035
- 3.6%
- Job openings a year
- 1,400
To get hiredBachelor's degree
Explore this career Growing with the economyBiological Scientists, All Other
- Median pay
- $98,920
- Hiring change through 2035
- 4.7%
- Job openings a year
- 4,300
To get hiredBachelor's degree
Explore this careerAll work is projected to grow 3.5% between 2025 and 2035; read every hiring-change figure against it. The figures beside each career are the pay of that work, across everyone doing it. Graduates of this field earn $24,267 one year after completing the program, which is the start of a career rather than the shape of one.
Working style
How and where the work happens
Related careers can feel very different from one another. Compare the specific occupations to understand the work each one involves.
Few of the careers connected to this field are measured as substantially in-person or active work. Compare the specific occupations to see how much time each one involves with people, equipment, and movement.
College options
Where to study it
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