Zoologist Occupations

Zoologists study the origin, growth and development, structure, environment, classification, behaviour and life processes of animals. As this field is so broad, zoologists usually specialize in a particular type of animal or animal family, or in certain aspects of animal life such as genetics or animal classification.

Tasks of zoologists are determined by their specialities and by their employers. They may study live animals in controlled or natural settings; dissect animals to study their anatomy and physiology; be involved in the identification and classification of animals; do research into the diagnosis, the prevention and the treatment of both animal and human diseases; or work as a consultant or curator for a zoo, aquarium or wildlife park.

Zoologist can be involved or specialise in any one of the following fields:

Aquaculture: commercial production of aquatic animals

Arachnology; study of spiders, scorpions, ticks and mites

Carcinology: study of crabs, shrimps and other crustacea

Cell biology: study of cells

Developmental biology: study of how animals develop from egg to adult

Ecology: study of organisms in relation to the

Environment; this area could include freshwater biology, marine biology and terrestrial ecology

Ecotoxicology: study of toxic environmental substances and their effects on animal life

Entomology: study of insects

Ethology: study of animal behaviour

Evolutionary biology: study of evolution and evolutionary relationships of organisms

Genetics: study of heredity

Herpetology: study of amphibians and reptiles

Ichthyology: study of fish

Laboratory animal science: breeding of experimental animals

Malacology: study of molluscs

Mammalogy: study of mammals

Morphology: study of the structure of animals

Nature and environments conservation: conservation of the environment

Nematology: study of nematodes

Ornithology: study of birds

Palaeontology: study of fossils

Parasitology: study of parasites

Physiology: study of how animals function

Protozoology: study of unicellular animals

Systematics (Taxonomy): identification and classification of animals

Toxicology: study of toxins and venoms

The work settings of zoologists vary from pure research and laboratory work to fieldwork. Museum zoologists are involved in the preservation of valuable animal collections, research on the classification and distribution of animals and the construction of interpretive displays for the education of public visitors.

How to Enter

Schooling & School Subjects

National Senior Certificate meeting degree requirements for a degree course
Each institution has its own entry requirements.

Compulsory School Subjects

Life Sciences, Mathematics, Physical Sciences

Recommended School Subjects

No Recommended Subjects

What to Study

Degree: BSc degree course with Zoology as a major, with second major such as: Botany, Chemistry, Physiology, Geology, Biochemistry, Genetics, Microbiology – UWC, NWU, UCT, UJ, NMMU, RU, Wits, UKZN, UFS, US, UNISA, UP

Post-graduate study: An honours degree or preferably an MSc or PhD degree, is essential for the full professional development of the zoologist. Post-graduate studies involve a series of research projects chosen by the student in accordance with the area of interest. Employers prefer postgraduates.

Employment