Zoologist - How to become a Zoologist

Zoologist is an experts in the systematic and scientific study of the structure and functions, form and distribution of animal life. These professionals basically concentrate on the study of animal’s structure, behaviour, origin, life processes, conditions and diseases.

Zoologist as a career has attained greater importance in past few years, owing to the awareness among the human being about the need and importance of the animal kingdom in the life of humans. Thus career as a zoologist is a great choice for those aspirants who have genuine interest in all kind of wild life as well as domestic animals.

One should be able to work effectively, independently or as part of a team. Good communication, self-discipline, patience, and good physical stamina are some other qualities, one should have to be on the path of becoming a zoologist. They should also be able to think quickly in emergency or dangerous situations. No doubt some basic qualities and proper qualification can produce an excellent zoologist from an aspirant. 

To be a zoologist one has to undergo the following Courses:

1. Graduate courses

1. Bachelors degree in medical science.
2. B.Sc with Specialization in zoology.

Eligibility

1. Educational Qualification

Candidates who wish to apply for above given Under Graduate degree courses should have passed 10+2 or equivalent examination, with physics, chemistry and Biology with a minimum of 50% marks in the aggregate in the subjects concerned.

2. Master’s degree or Ph.D.

Eligibility

1. Educational Qualification

Graduates in relative fields with minimum 60% for general category and 55% marks in other reserved categories are eligible for the postgraduate and Doctorate courses.

How to become a Zoologist?

The aspiring candidates have to follow following steps to become a Zoologist.

Step 1

Interested candidate with at least 60% marks (in some universities of repute) in 10+2 with science as stream has to apply for the admission in undergraduate courses in Zoology offered by nearly all the science university throughout the country. Selection to the graduate courses ( B.Sc ) is based on merit i.e the marks secured in the final exams of 10+2 and through entrance tests in some of the reputed universities.

Step 2

After completion of the graduation admission to the Post graduate M.Sc. courses is based on the performance of the candidates in the graduation.

Step 3

After completion of his studies the aspiring candidates can look for some jobs in the various concerned departments of the state and Centre Governments.

Zoologist Job Description

Zoologists study how the animals live and thrive in their natural, artificial and laboratory surroundings. They study the way animals interact with each other, how they react to change in their habitat, and how they can adapt to new surroundings and survive. To know and observe their daily behavior in an animal’s natural habitat. Zoologists are also responsible to gather and investigate biological information to determine the effect on the environment, caused by the current and future use of land and water resources.

Zoologist Career Prospects

Zoologists usually work in zoos as directors, curators or zookeepers. Directors are responsible for fund raising and public relations; curators oversee the functioning of the zoo and the acquisition of animals; and zookeepers are responsible for the daily hands-on care of the animals. Increasingly, some zoologists are working in areas of conservation, breeding and the protection and preservation of species. Mammalogists study Mammals, Ornithologists study Birds, Ichthyologists study Fish, and Herpetologists study Reptiles.

Zoologist Salary

Zoologist salary depends largely upon their academic qualification, institute or university from which the degree is attained and the level of work experience they have achieved.

To start with, the fresh Graduates from some of the prestigious universities can get anything between Rs.2,00,000 to Rs.2,50,000 as annual salary.