Studies & Degrees in Zoology
Zoology Study Programs
Zoology is the branch of biology that studies animals: their structure, how their bodies work, how they behave, how they evolved and how they live in their environment. It ranges from cells and genes to whole populations and ecosystems. Zoologists generally specialise in a group of animals. Entomologists study insects, herpetologists reptiles and amphibians, and ornithologists birds.
The subject is closely linked to ecology, genetics and conservation biology. It is not the same as veterinary medicine, which is a separate professional degree about the health of animals, although a zoology degree can be a first step towards it in countries where veterinary medicine is a graduate programme.
What students learn
A zoology programme starts with general biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics and statistics. On that base come the core subjects: animal diversity, anatomy and physiology, genetics, evolution, ecology and animal behaviour. The University of Wisconsin-Madison, for example, lets students of its Zoology major concentrate on ecology, evolution and animal behaviour; on anatomy, physiology and organismal biology; or on cellular, molecular and developmental biology.
Laboratory and field work are a large part of the degree. Students learn to collect and identify specimens, to design experiments and to analyse data. Geographic information systems (GIS) and modelling software are now standard tools for estimating wildlife populations and tracking animal movement. Fieldwork can be physically demanding and takes place outdoors in all weather.
Qualifications and levels
- Bachelor's degree. In the United States zoology is a major within a bachelor's degree; at Wisconsin-Madison the degree requires 120 credits. In the United Kingdom it is a named degree. At the University of Glasgow, for example, the BSc (Hons) Zoology is a four-year degree and the MSci takes five years. Honours degrees last four years in Scotland; ask each university in the rest of the United Kingdom about its own length.
- Spain. Zoology is not a separate bachelor's degree. It is studied inside the grado en Biología, which has 240 ECTS credits. At the Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), for example, the biology degree includes compulsory courses in Zoología (12 ECTS) and Fisiología Animal (12 ECTS), and optional courses such as ethology and the analysis of animal biodiversity. Specialisation comes afterwards: the UCM has a master's degree in Zoología at its Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas. Spanish master's degrees have 60, 90 or 120 ECTS credits.
- Doctorate. A PhD is typically needed to lead research projects and for university posts.
Where to study it
SpainExchange lists 72 active schools for zoology. The United States has 21 and the United Kingdom seven. Brazil and Colombia have six each, Spain four, and Canada and India three each. Examples from the directory are the University of Aberdeen in the United Kingdom, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, The Ohio State University and the University of Florida in the United States, Mount Allison University in Canada, the Universidad de Antioquia in Colombia, the Universidade Federal de Goiás in Brazil and the Universidad de Costa Rica.
The language of instruction follows the country: English in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and India, Spanish in Spain and Spanish-speaking America, Portuguese in Brazil and Portugal. When comparing programmes, look at how much fieldwork is included, whether the university has field stations, museums or collections, which animal groups and ecosystems its staff work on, and whether an independent research project is part of the degree.
Careers
Zoologists work for government wildlife and environmental agencies, in environmental consultancy, in conservation organisations, in zoos, aquariums and museums, and in research and teaching. Wisconsin-Madison states that its major can also prepare students for veterinary medicine, health professions, biotechnology and education.
In the United States, zoologists and wildlife biologists typically need a bachelor's degree for entry-level positions, may need a master's degree for higher-level jobs and typically need a PhD to lead research, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. They held about 19,500 jobs in 2025, and 66 percent worked for government. Employment is projected to grow 4 percent from 2025 to 2035, with about 1,400 openings a year.
Frequently asked questions
Is zoology the same as veterinary medicine?
No. Zoology is a science degree about how animals function, behave and evolve. Veterinary medicine is a professional degree that trains people to treat animals.
Can I study zoology in Spain?
Not as a separate bachelor's degree. It is part of the grado en Biología (240 ECTS credits), and can be followed by a master's degree such as the one in Zoología at the Universidad Complutense de Madrid.
How long does a zoology degree take?
A bachelor's degree takes three or four years depending on the country: at the University of Glasgow the BSc (Hons) Zoology takes four years. A master's degree adds one or two years.
Do I need a master's degree or a PhD to work as a zoologist?
A bachelor's degree is enough for entry-level positions. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, higher-level jobs may require a master's degree and leading research projects typically requires a PhD.