Zoology is biology's branch that focuses on animals' study, thus also known as animal science. Many universities offer zoology majors, but the teaching of every college is not the same. Some colleges are much more excellent in their education. In this blog, we will show you the five best zoology colleges in the world. But before that, let's see what a zoology college offers.

What do the best zoology schools offer?

Generally, zoology schools offer a three-year course. The whole course gets divided into six semesters leading to zoology degrees. Zoology schools have undergraduate programs in biology. Here you can take the major as zoology. 

The best zoology school will ensure that you are well versed in the subject. There are many differences in learning from a prestigious school and an ordinary school.

One of the most significant differences in the faculties of the school. The best zoology college has world-renowned faculties, and many are noble laureates. Another difference is the student-faculty ratio. Prestigious colleges teach a significantly fewer number of students compared to ordinary ones. Thus, there is a higher number of faculties compared to the number of students. 

But there are other differences too, which makes it difficult for a student to get admitted. The required SAT and ACT exam score is much higher. The best zoology college will be more selective; hence the acceptance rate will be meager. Thus, a good zoology college will give you the best teaching; it is hard to get in there.

What Are the Branches of Zoology?

•  Entomology: deals with Insects
•  Invertebrate Zoology: Animals with no backbones
•  Malacology: Study of Malacology
•  Ornithology: The study of birds
•  Herpetology: Amphibians and reptiles
•  Ichthyology: Studies Fish
•  Primatology: Deals with Primates
•  Mammalogy: Study of Mammals

What is Zoology?

Zoology is a branch of biology that studies the behavior of different species of animals and their natural environment. It is also concerned with the structure of the animal body, their physical characteristics, and how they function.

Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists study how new animals are formed and how their characteristics are transferred from one generation to another. They also learn the way animals interact with one another and their impact on human development.

Therefore, these Animal scientists carry out research they conduct experiments with the animals in their habitat. For example, those scientists who study marine animals will work in laboratories close to water.

They spend a lot of time researching and gathering data. Some of these professionals like to go for fieldwork, while others preferred to work in the lab.

What Are the Branches of Zoology?

•  Entomology: deals with Insects
•  Invertebrate Zoology: Animals with no backbones
•  Malacology: Study of Malacology
•  Ornithology: The study of birds
•  Herpetology: Amphibians and reptiles
•  Ichthyology: Studies Fish
•  Primatology: Deals with Primates
•  Mammalogy: Study of Mammals

How Do I Get a Zoology Degree?

If you want to become a zoologist, the first career step starts from your high school. You have to major in science-related courses, including biology, chemistry and, mathematics.

The next step is to get a bachelor’s degree in a certified college because that is the minimum requirement for an entry-level position in an animal science career.

Nonetheless, during your degree program, you may be disclosed to various coursework and practices in animal behavior, ecology, virology physiology, parasitology, chemistry, mathematics, and statistical software.

If you wish to go for advanced research, you may require a Ph.D. in the zoology discipline.

What Does it Cost to Become a Zoologist?

   The fees vary according to schools and colleges and may also change with time.

However, for a four-year bachelor’s degree in zoology or a related field, the median annual estimated cost is about $39,666, with an average four-year degree total price of $158,664.

What jobs a zoologist do?

Animal well-being is the primary responsibility of a zoologist who is under his/her care. Zoologist mainly works for zoos, aquarium, wildlife park, wildlife center. The zoologist may involve in programs like restoring the population of wild animals. They also work with groups involved in wildlife conservation. 

The following are the job profiles of a Zoologist:

• Academic researcher
• Ecologist
• Environmental consultant
• Marine scientist
• Nature conservation officer
• Research scientist
• Zoologist

List of 5 Best Colleges for Zoology

In modern times, a lot of people has developed an interest in the animal science career. Therefore, we have compiled 5 top colleges that are widely known for research in zoology.

Each of these mentioned schools is carefully selected based on their acceptance rates, tuition, graduation rates, and recent world university rankings.

1. University of Cambridge, UK

‍Founded in 1209, the Cambridge University is one of the oldest universities. It's one of the world's most prestigious universities, which is also known for zoology. The student to faculty ratio of Cambridge is 11:1. Getting into the University is challenging as the acceptance rate is low every year. With a zoology degree from one of the best zoology schools, you can aspire for better jobs and higher pay too.

The Zoology Degree program:

To pursue zoology at Cambridge university, you need to take Natural Sciences undergraduate course. This course is three years, divided into tripos, Part IA, Part IB, and Part II. In Part II, you can specialize Natural Sciences undergraduate course in zoology. To understand how all this will take place, please go to this article.

The zoology program will offer you tremendous variety and flexibility while choosing a module. You can select any four modules out of fifteen. The Topics covered are conservation science, animal behavior, cell, developmental biology, ecology, and evolution in these modules. Students undertake research projects for the whole year. Here they take the practical experience of lab and fieldwork. To know more about Part II zoology, please go to this article.

The tuition fees for one year at Zoology College will be £33,825 for international students. For students living in the UK, the costs will be £9,250. Financial aid at this Zoology College is not much. Need-based financial support gets scrutinized before the given offer, and it is invariable only partial aid.

For more information about this zoology college: https://www.zoo.cam.ac.uk/

2. University of Oxford, UK

Evidence of teaching in 1096 at the University of Oxford makes it the oldest English-speaking university. However, there is no founded date. There are 53 noble laureates in natural science from this university. The student to faculty ratio in this college is 11:1. Also, the acceptance rate of 17% approx.; hence, it's difficult to get admitted to this college.

The Zoology Degree program consists of:

• For undergraduates, the school offers a zoology course in the biological science discipline. 

• ‍‍In Zoology, students attend Lectures, field courses, classes, and tutorials.

•  The skill training provides the essential knowledge to become a modern biologist.

• The tutorial system ensures that you get personalized attention from your tutor. It will be a weekly meeting with 2-3 other students to discuss a topic. The topic would be the one you already read about and write an essay about.
  
  

The tuition fees for one year of studying at this Zoology College will be £9,250 for the UK. For Overseas students, the tuition fee is £35,380. Financial aid low at this zoology college. International students can apply for the Reach Oxford Scholarships, which is merit-based. It will cover your course fees, a grant for living costs, and one return airfare every year.

‍For more information about this zoology college: https://www.zoo.ox.ac.uk/

3. Harvard University, USA

‍Founded in 1636, Harvard is the most prestigious college in the world. There are 113 noble laureates in natural science from Harvard. The student to faculty ratio in this college is 6:1. A student here gets highly personalized attention. Harvard University is a highly selective school, with an acceptance rate of just 5%. Thus, you need to make serious efforts to get into this college. Students studying here are in the company of the brightest minds. So they can only get sharper and succeed in their careers.

‍Before you can choose Zoology as a major, you will first do a foundational course. The courses have nine concentrations exploring the diversity of living systems. 

The courses offered are:

• Chemical and Physical Biology

• Human Evolutionary Biology

• Life Science

• Molecular and Cellular Biology

• Neurobiology

• Organism and Evolutionary Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology

• Psychology

• Engineering

• Chemistry You will also hone much-needed problem-solving skills.

Watch this video where students share their experience in life sciences:

https://lifesciences.fas.harvard.edu/why-life-sciences.

The approximate tuition fees for one year of studying at Zoology College will be $49,653. Need-based financial aid is available to international students. 55% of students receive scholarships, and students can learn with debt-free help.

For more information about this zoology college: https://lifesciences.fas.harvard.edu

4. University of Melbourne, Australia

Founded in 1853, the Melbourne University is the number one university in Australia. College's student to faculty ratio is 11:1. The acceptance rate of this university is around 15%.

The Melbourne University has one of the best zoology schools Down-under. This Zoology College is famous because Sir David Attenborough studied here. The world-renowned zoology college stands at #7 in graduate employability worldwide.

The zoology major is a part of BSc (Bachelor of Science). In this major, you are going to study everything from an animal cell to animal behavior. You can choose to focus on one of the three things. These things are Reproductive physiology, behavioral ecology, or wildlife conservation. Here, you will gain knowledge and skill about data collection and analysis. 

For the first two years of the course, you need to complete an essential subject for your major. This also includes biology and zoology. In third and last year, you need to complete 50 points(four issues) in your area you've chosen in zoology for profound and specialized studies. You can select your significant subjects from a vast range as it is a very flexible major. You also need to choose non-science(breadth) subjects and elective science subjects.

For more information got to this link.

The tuition fees for one year of studying at this Australian Zoology College will be $30401. Like other zoology colleges, the University offers need-based financial aid.

For more information about this zoology college:

https://study.unimelb.edu.au/find/courses/major/zoology/

5. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA

‍MIT is one of the most admired and renowned institutions. It's reputed for its demanding curriculum, exceptional research, and excellent faculty. There is one faculty for every three students, which gives personalized attention to each student. But, the acceptance rate of this college is only 8% making it a very selective college. 

The Life science program can pave the way for a zoology degree in this college.

The Life Sciences program

‍MIT offers many biology majors – referred to as courses.

Course 7 is a Bachelor of Science in Biology program.

This course is for students who want to pursue a research career in the biological sciences. 

Course 5-7 is a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and Biology program.

This course is for students wanting to study both subjects.

Course 6-7 is a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Molecular Biology program.

This course is for students who wish to pursue computational biology.

The Biology Minor course offers knowledge in Biology that will complement your major.

Read undergraduate testimonials about the program at

https://biology.mit.edu/undergraduate/why-biology/undergraduate-testimonials/.

The approximate tuition fees for one year of undergraduate study will be $53,790. Need-based financial aid to international students with demonstrated financial needs. But students should also look for alternative financial support. In 2018-19, 59% of students received need-based scholarships, and 31% attended tuition-free.

For more information about this zoology college: https://biology.mit.edu/

Conclusion

The study of Wildlife is quite risky but can be fruitful if you acquire formal training. In some locations, the undergraduates are applied to health care professions such as medical laboratory, veterinary medicine, and public health. In contrast, others seek a career path in the zoology discipline.

However, it is essential to enroll in an accredited and widely known institution if you want to make the best of any career.