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lapreciaus
Student
Chesapeake, Virginia
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how long do you have to do school.
I want to work with animals. I would either like to become a zoologist or a veterinarian. I want to knows how much school you have to do and what to take. #veterinarian #school
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3 answers
Doc Frick
Career Coach and Mentor
1590
Answers
California, CA
Updated
Doc’s Answer
ZOOLOGIST VS VETERINARIAN
Veterinarians and zoologists work with animals in a professional capacity. Veterinarians primarily provide medical care to animals that are kept as pets or livestock on a farm. Zoologists are researchers who primarily focus on understanding the relationship between wild animals and other animals or their habitat.
HOW TO BECOME A ZOOLOGIST
Zoology degrees are available at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. A bachelor's degree is the minimum education required for jobs in the field, while a master's degree qualifies an individual for higher-level positions with more pay and responsibility. A Ph.D. is needed for positions involving original research and developing plans for conservation or management.
• STEP 1: EARN YOUR BACHELOR'S DEGREE – With a bachelor's degree in zoology, you can get an entry-level job as a zoologist or wildlife biologist, since there are minimal education and experience requirements. Core courses for most programs are general biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics. Sometimes the biology requirement is divided into courses in molecular and organismal biology.
Step 2: Obtain Employment with a Bachelor's Degree
• STEP 2: OBTAIN EMPLOYMENT – This step is optional because you may decide to enter a graduate program immediately after graduating from a bachelor's program. Working in the field is beneficial when applying for and completing a graduate degree program. On the other hand, you may find employment and remain in your position without earning a graduate degree.
• STEP 3: EARN YOUR GRADUATE DEGREE – Master's programs in zoology consist of coursework that is similar in subject matter to a bachelor's program, especially if they are offered through the same university. However, graduate-level courses are more advanced and research-oriented. Students are typically taught in seminars.
• STEP 3: EARN YOUR PhD IN ZOOLOGY – After completing a master's degree in zoology, in order to qualify for a higher-level job with more pay and research opportunities you'll need to earn your PhD. Teaching and research opportunities are open for those with doctoral degrees. Research at this level is used to develop new ideas and plans for conservation of certain animal species.
HOW TO BECOME A VETERINARIAN
Veterinarians are medical practitioners specializing in animals. They usually complete a bachelor's degree and then a post-secondary doctor of veterinary medicine degree. Licensing is required, which includes testing and other requirements once education is completed.
• STEP 1: EARN YOUR BACHELOR'S DEGREE – Most schools of veterinary medicine require or prefer applicants to have a bachelor's degree. While many students earn their degree in a biological science, most veterinary schools don't have a preferred major as long as certain science courses are taken. These courses typically include general biology, chemistry, physics, and math. Some schools may require some more advanced science courses, such as mammalogy, biochemistry, or animal behavior.
• STEP 2: EARN YOUR DOCTOR OF VETERINARY MEDICINE – Schools offer 4-year Doctor of Veterinary Medicine programs. During the first two years, the programs usually consist of advanced training in the basic veterinary sciences, such as those covered in prerequisite courses. The final two years of the programs consist of training in clinical procedures, including disease diagnosis and treatment, surgery, toxicology, obstetrics and anesthesiology.
Hope this was helpful Lapreciaus
Veterinarians and zoologists work with animals in a professional capacity. Veterinarians primarily provide medical care to animals that are kept as pets or livestock on a farm. Zoologists are researchers who primarily focus on understanding the relationship between wild animals and other animals or their habitat.
HOW TO BECOME A ZOOLOGIST
Zoology degrees are available at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. A bachelor's degree is the minimum education required for jobs in the field, while a master's degree qualifies an individual for higher-level positions with more pay and responsibility. A Ph.D. is needed for positions involving original research and developing plans for conservation or management.
• STEP 1: EARN YOUR BACHELOR'S DEGREE – With a bachelor's degree in zoology, you can get an entry-level job as a zoologist or wildlife biologist, since there are minimal education and experience requirements. Core courses for most programs are general biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics. Sometimes the biology requirement is divided into courses in molecular and organismal biology.
Step 2: Obtain Employment with a Bachelor's Degree
• STEP 2: OBTAIN EMPLOYMENT – This step is optional because you may decide to enter a graduate program immediately after graduating from a bachelor's program. Working in the field is beneficial when applying for and completing a graduate degree program. On the other hand, you may find employment and remain in your position without earning a graduate degree.
• STEP 3: EARN YOUR GRADUATE DEGREE – Master's programs in zoology consist of coursework that is similar in subject matter to a bachelor's program, especially if they are offered through the same university. However, graduate-level courses are more advanced and research-oriented. Students are typically taught in seminars.
• STEP 3: EARN YOUR PhD IN ZOOLOGY – After completing a master's degree in zoology, in order to qualify for a higher-level job with more pay and research opportunities you'll need to earn your PhD. Teaching and research opportunities are open for those with doctoral degrees. Research at this level is used to develop new ideas and plans for conservation of certain animal species.
HOW TO BECOME A VETERINARIAN
Veterinarians are medical practitioners specializing in animals. They usually complete a bachelor's degree and then a post-secondary doctor of veterinary medicine degree. Licensing is required, which includes testing and other requirements once education is completed.
• STEP 1: EARN YOUR BACHELOR'S DEGREE – Most schools of veterinary medicine require or prefer applicants to have a bachelor's degree. While many students earn their degree in a biological science, most veterinary schools don't have a preferred major as long as certain science courses are taken. These courses typically include general biology, chemistry, physics, and math. Some schools may require some more advanced science courses, such as mammalogy, biochemistry, or animal behavior.
• STEP 2: EARN YOUR DOCTOR OF VETERINARY MEDICINE – Schools offer 4-year Doctor of Veterinary Medicine programs. During the first two years, the programs usually consist of advanced training in the basic veterinary sciences, such as those covered in prerequisite courses. The final two years of the programs consist of training in clinical procedures, including disease diagnosis and treatment, surgery, toxicology, obstetrics and anesthesiology.
Hope this was helpful Lapreciaus
Judy Surdam
Veterinarian
4
Answers
Pembroke, New Hampshire
Updated
Judy’s Answer
Before you decide on a career path, begin to work with animals to be sure it is what you expect. This may include 4H, volunteering at a local zoo or farm or at a local animal shelter. While in high school, focus on the sciences and good grades. Apply to colleges with animal science/zoology/biology programs to earn your 4-year Bachelor of Science. Again grades and GPA are important when applying to Vet School. You will study another 4 years and then some if you specialize. Carefully choose a school that fits your financial range as student debt to income can be overwhelming.
Cynthia Marroquin, M.S.
Wildlife /bat biologist
13
Answers
Columbus, Ohio
Updated
Cynthia’s Answer
If you want to work towards studying animals as a researcher whether that be in a zoo setting or as part of the Department of Fish and Wildlife, for instance, you should start with earning a Bachelors of Science degree. This can take four years of schooling and the area of study can vary from school to school since zoology is a huge field with many areas of study. Many schools do have a pre-vet track or program for undergraduates that are geared to help students aiming for veterinary school while you work towards your degree. Depending on the level of research you want to do, the role you want to play in research, and what jobs you want to apply for, you will have to add more schooling. If you want to be a zoologist, take a look at job boards like this one:
https://wfscjobs.tamu.edu/job-board/
and look for the type of job that sounds interesting to you. Look at the requirements and if you can see yourself working in that field you should try to get these skills under your belt. Look into internships, externships, and volunteer opportunities sooner rather than later (especially if you don't have a lot of bills to pay!). The postings also tell you what level of education you would need so you can get an idea of that, but for most of the postings a Bachelors is the baseline. I am not in the veterinary field, but I heard getting volunteer experience at veterinary hospitals, animal shelters, or wildlife rehabilitation centers is a very good start.
https://wfscjobs.tamu.edu/job-board/
and look for the type of job that sounds interesting to you. Look at the requirements and if you can see yourself working in that field you should try to get these skills under your belt. Look into internships, externships, and volunteer opportunities sooner rather than later (especially if you don't have a lot of bills to pay!). The postings also tell you what level of education you would need so you can get an idea of that, but for most of the postings a Bachelors is the baseline. I am not in the veterinary field, but I heard getting volunteer experience at veterinary hospitals, animal shelters, or wildlife rehabilitation centers is a very good start.