Zoology

Zoology majors focus on the study of individual organisms and populations, as well as their relationships to each other and the environment, with the core foundation of evolution and ecology. Courses also emphasize the disciplines of anatomy, behavior, genetics, physiology and other specialized fields.

Overview

Courses introduce zoology majors to a wide variety of topics while allowing individual interests to be studied. Advanced undergraduate students are encouraged to participate in research with faculty.

Most career opportunities require advanced studies beyond the bachelor's degree. Students may choose a zoology specialization to prepare for graduate studies or employment in disciplines such as zoology, ecology, conservation and biology research; a preprofessional specialization to prepare for medical, dental or veterinary programs; or a secondary-education specialization to prepare for secondary-school teaching.

Ultimately, the undergraduate degree in zoology will be shaped by a student's coursework, laboratory experience and field work as well as by the instructors they encounter. These experiences will help to shape their goals as a zoologist.

Coursework for the Major

The minimum number of core requirements for the basic zoology major is 32. All courses applied toward the major must be passed with minimum grades of C.

The Department of Biology recommends certain courses for each of its specializations. The basic zoology, preprofessional or biology education specializations have slightly different requirements.

Required Coursework

• Integrated Principles of Biology (BSC 2010-2010L, BSC 2011-2011L)
• Genetics (PCB 3063)
• At least three courses in zoology from the following: any 3000/4000-level zoology course, BSC 3402, PCB 4043C, PCB 4674, PCB 5415C, PCB 4723C, ZOO 4205C or ZOO 4307C. Students may not apply ZOO 4232, ZOO 4905 or ZOO 4940 toward this requirement.
• Additional zoology courses, and up to two approved biological science courses (3000/5000 level) outside of zoology, for a total of 32 hours of core requirements.
• Up to six credit hours of Individual Studies in Zoology (ZOO 4905) will count toward the credit-hour requirement.
• In addition to the 32 hours specified above, zoology majors must also complete with minimum grades of C:
  • Chemistry through Organic Chemistry (CHM 2045-2045L and CHM 2046-2046L and CHM 2210 and CHM 2211-2211L or CHM 3217 and 2211L)
  • One year of physics (PHY 2053 or 2048 and PHY 2053L or 2048L and PHY 2049 or 2054 and PHY 2049L or 2054L)
  • One semester of analytical geometry and calculus (MAC 2311) and a second semester of analytical geometry and calculus (MAC 2312 or MAC 2512) or statistics (STA 2023).

Students should begin chemistry and math sequences as soon as possible. A full year of calculus and a course in statistics (such as STA 2023) are highly recommended.

Transfer students must take at least three courses from the Department of Biology (excluding ZOO 4905, ZOO 4926 and ZOO 4940) at the University of Florida as part of the requirements for the major.

Specializations

There are three specializations in the zoology major:

Biology Education is designed for students who plan to teach in the life sciences in secondary schools or community colleges. Please consult a Department of Biology adviser at bioadvising@advising.ufl.edu and an adviser in the College of Education.

Preprofessional specialization is designed for students who seek admission to medical, veterinary, dental and optometry schools. These students should also consult a Department of Biology adviser at bioadvising@advising.ufl.edu.

Zoologist is the basic zoology specialization designed for students whose career goals include participation in basic or applied research in the life sciences, with an emphasis on the ecology, evolution, behavior, anatomy, development and/or physiology of animals. Interested students should work closely with a department mentor to plan for graduate school or other career choices. Mentors and advisers will provide guidance for admission to graduate school and will help students select appropriate graduate programs. Course requirements and a recommended semester plan appear below.

Zoologist specialization students are strongly encouraged to participate in supervised research through Individual Studies in Zoology (ZOO 4905, three or more credits) beginning the junior year or earlier. They should take the Graduate Record Examination in the fall of the senior year and should complete applications to graduate schools by the January before an expected fall-term admission.

Majors in the basic zoology specialization should work closely with a department adviser. They should also consult a Department of Biology adviser at bioadvising@advising.ufl.edu. These advisers will provide guidance for admission to graduate school and will help students select appropriate graduate programs or other career choices.

Relevant Minors and/or Certificates

Majors in zoology can minor in most other disciplines, and this is a good way to organize students' electives around areas of interest. For instance, a zoology major can get a minor in chemistry by adding just two chemistry courses: CHM 3400, 3610 or any 4000-level CHM course. Students could consider language and humanities minors, too. Note that zoology majors cannot minor in biology, nor can biology majors minor in zoology (the curricula for the zoology and biology majors are too similar)

Zoology students might want to consider the UFTeach Program. There is a severe shortage of qualified high school science teachers in Florida and nationwide. Students interested in the high-demand teaching profession should see a biology department adviser or the UFTeach adviser. Students who complete the UFTeach minor in science teaching and a B.S. in zoology will have the coursework and preparation for professional teacher certification in Florida when they graduate.

Research

All biology, botany and zoology majors are strongly encouraged to participate in research. Research experience is valuable on many levels: it diversifies your college experience; it teaches you how scientists apply the knowledge gained in the classroom to real-world questions; it gives you the opportunity to work with and get to know researchers who are the best in their field; it introduces you to cutting-edge scientific questions and techniques; it enhances your resume/CV if you apply to graduate or professional school; and finally, it is essential in helping you determine if science is a good career choice for you.

CLAS preprofessional biology, botany and zoology majors may participate in research for course credit, as a scholar (e.g., University Scholar, HHMI Science for Life Scholar, Beckman Scholar), as a volunteer, or, in rare cases, as a paid research assistant. Please visit Undegraduate Research for more information regarding course credit. Students who plan to enroll for course credit must contact potential research mentors before the end of drop/add. If they miss the drop/add window, they should still contact potential research mentors, if only to discuss upcoming opportunities.

Critical Tracking for all Specializations

Equivalent critical tracking courses as determined by the State of Florida Common Course Prerequisites may be used for transfer students

Semester 1:

• 2.0 UF GPA required for semesters 1-5
• Complete one of the following in BSC, CHM or MAC: BSC 2010/2010L; CHM 1025 or CHM 2045/2045L; MAC 1114, 1140, 1147 or 2311

Semester 2:

• Complete CHM 2045/2045L and either BSC 2010/2010L or MAC 2311

Semester 3:

• Complete BSC 2010/2010L and MAC 2311 with a 2.5 GPA on all critical-tracking coursework

Semester 4:

• Complete CHM 2046/2046L and BSC 2011/2011L with a 2.5 GPA on all critical-tracking coursework

Semester 5:

• Complete CHM 2210 with a 2.5 GPA on all critical-tracking coursework

To graduate with this major, students must complete all university, college and major requirements. For degree requirements outside of the major, refer to CLAS Degree Requirements — Structure of a CLAS Degree.

Recommended Semester Plan for Zoologist Specialization

Note: Students in the biology education or preprofessional specialization should contact a biology adviser to discuss a semester plan.

Students are expected to complete the writing and math requirement while in the process of taking the courses below. Students are required to complete HUM 2305 The Good Life (GE-H) in semester 1 or 2. Students are also expected to complete the general education international (GE-N) and diversity (GE-D) requirements concurrently with another general education requirement (typically, GE-C, H or S).