Career Details :: Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists
Description
Study the origins, behavior, diseases, genetics, and life processes of animals and wildlife. May specialize in wildlife research and management, including the collection and analysis of biological data to determine the environmental effects of present and potential use of land and water areas.
Experience
Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
Education
A bachelor's degree is the minimum formal education required for these occupations. However, many also require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
Training
Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Tasks
- Studies origin, interrelationships, classification, life histories and diseases, development, genetics, and distribution of animals.
- Conducts experimental studies, using chemicals and various types of scientific equipment.
- Raises specimens for study and observation or for use in experiments.
- Prepares collections of preserved specimens or microscopic slides for species identification and study of species development or animal disease.
- Analyzes characteristics of animals to identify and classify animals.
- Collects and dissects animal specimens and examines specimens under microscope.
- Studies animals in their natural habitats and assesses effects of environment on animals.
Related Careers
- Agricultural Technicians
- Animal Breeders
- Biologists
- Microbiologists
- Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers
Important Abilities
- Inductive Reasoning
- Category Flexibility
- Deductive Reasoning
- Written Comprehension
- Information Ordering
General Work Activities
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
- Getting Information Needed to Do the Job
- Analyzing Data or Information
- Processing Information
- Documenting/Recording Information
Important Skills
Frequent Work Context
- Importance of Being Sure All Is Done
- Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
- Consequence of Error
- Using Hands on Objects, Tools, Controls
- Frustrating Circumstances
Related Majors
| Major | Add to XapPack |
|---|---|
| Animal Behavior |  [ add ] |
| Animal Bioscience | [ add ] |
| Zoology | [ add ] |
Institutions Offering Related Majors
No institutions found.