Pathway to Zoologist/ Wildlife Biologist

What does a Zoologist or Wildlife Biologist do? How’s the

job outlook? Zoologists and wildlife biologists study animals.

Zoologists often study animals in a lab, zoo, aquarium, or

sanctuaries. Wildlife biologists study organisms in their

natural setting often focusing on the interactions with other

organisms and/or the ecosystem. The work of wildlife

biologists often requires collecting data in the field and then

analyzing that data in an office setting. Many of the

organisms that are studied have some conservation concern.

Employment of zoologists and wildlife biologists is projected to

grow 5 percent from 2020 to 2030, which is slower than the

average for all occupations. Despite limited employment growth, about 1,700 openings for zoologists and

wildlife biologists are projected each year, on average, over the next decade. Most of those openings are

expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to alternative occupations or exit the labor

force/retire.

*U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Zoologist and

Wildlife Biologist, on the Internet at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-

science/zoologists-and-wildlife-biologists.htm

How do I become a Zoologist or Wildlife Biologist?

A minimum of a bachelor’s degree (B.S. or B.A.) is needed to be a wildlife biologist. Completing undergraduate

research or an internship is highly recommended prior to graduating with this bachelor’s degree. A minor in

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is highly recommended. Many wildlife biologists do go on to get a

master’s degree in wildlife biology and/or wildlife management. Colorado State University (CSU) has both an

in-person and online master’s program in conservation and wildlife biology. Regis University also has a

master’s program in environmental biology. For a more zoology-based master’s program, the Denver Zoo is a

partner with Miami University online for a master’s in biology. CSU also has a professional master’s degree

(PSM) in zoo, aquarium, and animal shelter management.

Biology Faculty Advisor who can guide you for this path are:

Dr. Christy Carello email: carello@msudenver.edu

Dr. Cindy Church email: churchcy@msudenver.edu

Dr. Jennifer Gagliardi-Seeley email: jgaglia1@msudenver.edu

Dr. Robert Hancock email: rhancoc5@msudenver.edu

Dr. Jason Kolts email: jkolts@msudenver.edu

Pathway to Zoologist/ Wildlife Biologist

REQUIREMENTS FOR A MAJOR IN BIOLOGY

for 2020-2021 or future catalogs ONLY

A grade of “C-” or better is required for each BIO prefix course to count towards the major

Required Biology Courses for both the B.A. or the B.S. Degree

BIO 1080-3 General Biology I........................................................... 3

BIO 1090-1 General Biology Lab I .................................................... 1

BIO 1081-3 General Biology II.......................................................... 3

BIO 1091-1 General Biology Lab II ................................................... 1

BIO 3520-3 General Ecology ............................................................ 3

Take ONE of these Genetics options:

BIO 3600-4 General Genetics (no lab) ......................................... 4

BIO 3610-4 Genetics: Principles & Analysis (has lab) ................ 4

*Genetics with a lab is preferred for hands-on learners or those that may use genetics in their future research

plans.

Pick ONE of these options:

Option 1: BIO 2100-5 General Botany

Option 2: BIO 2400-5 General Microbiology

Option 3: Both BIO 2310-4 and BIO 2320-4 (Anatomy & Physiology I & II)

(You must take both semesters to get credit for this option)

Option 4: Either BIO 3200-4 Invertebrate Zoology or BIO 3260-4 Vertebrate Zoology

(If you wish to take both zoology courses, the other will count as an upper division

elective. Both courses are suggested if you are doing a zoology or wildlife biology

pathway)

Students are required to take a Senior Experience course:

Fulfills Senior Experience Requirement

BIO 4050-3 Advanced Cell & Molecular Biology

BIO 4230-3 Issues in Conservation Biology *

BIO 4300-3 Neurobiology

BIO 4820-4 Developmental Biology

BIO 4850-3 Evolution *

BIO 4510-4 Microbial Ecology

BIO 4540-4 Plant Ecology *

BIO 4550-4 Animal Ecology *

* These are the senior experience classes suggested for zoology or wildlife biology. You may take more

than one senior experience and it may be beneficial to take both Animal Ecology and Issues of Conservation

Biology.

Pathway to Zoologist/ Wildlife Biologist

Elective Biology courses: Biology courses from 2000, 3000, and 4000 must

be completed to bring the total of biology courses approved for the major to 40 credits. At least 21 of these

Biology credits must be from the 3000 or 4000 courses of the Department of Biology.

Recommended Elective Courses from which to Choose:

• BIO 2100-5 Botany

• BIO 3180-4 Vascular Plant Taxonomy

• BIO 3200-4 Invertebrate Zoology

• BIO 3220-5 Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy

• BIO 3240-4 Animal Behavior

• BIO 3260-4 Vertebrate Zoology

• BIO 3270-4 Parasitology

• BIO 3280-2 Field Ornithology

• BIO 3360-4 Animal Physiology

• BIO 39AC-3 Principles of Wildlife Biology & Management

• BIO 4000-3 Variable Field Courses Abroad (e.g. Tropical Field Biology)

• BIO 4230-3 Issues in Conservation Biology

• BIO 4250-4 Entomology

• BIO 4280-4 Ornithology

• BIO 4290-4 Mammalogy

• BIO 4540-4 Plant Ecology

• BIO 4550-4 Animal Ecology

* Most government wildlife biology jobs require (

https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-

qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0400/wildlife-biology-series-0486/ ):

• At least 9 semester hours in such wildlife subjects as mammalogy, ornithology, animal ecology,

wildlife management, or research courses in the field of wildlife biology; and

• At least 12 semester hours in zoology in such subjects as general zoology, invertebrate zoology,

vertebrate zoology, comparative anatomy, physiology, genetics, ecology, cellular biology,

parasitology, entomology, or research courses in such subjects (Excess courses in wildlife biology

may be used to meet the zoology requirements where appropriate.); and

• At least 9 semester hours in botany or the related plant sciences.

** Internships and/or research credits are highly recommended

***Minor in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) or Environmental Science with at least Geospatial Scieces

and Intro to GIS is recommended. If you choose one of these minors, it may make more sense for you to earn

a B.A. instead of a B.S.

Total Credit Hours in Biology (minimum of 40)

Upper Division Biology Credit Hours (minimum of 21)

Pathway to Zoologist/ Wildlife Biologist

º Note on CHE 3090 – Survey of Organic Chemistry - this class is no longer being offered

º Note on CHE 4310 – Biochemistry – requires completion of both Organic Chemistry I and II

Math Requirement (2 semesters)

General Studies Requirements (33 cr. total), please visit

http://www.msudenver.edu/advising/facultystaff/generalstudiesrequirements/

Total Credits (Minimum 120) _____

Total Upper Division Credits (Minimum 40 TOTAL) _____

What is your Minor? (required) ____________

B.S. Non-Bio Course Requirements:

CHE 1800-4 Gen Chemistry I ________

CHE 1801-1 Gen Chemistry I Lab ________

CHE 1810-4 Gen Chemistry II ________

CHE 1811-1 Gen Chemistry II Lab ________

CHOOSE YOUR PATH:

CHE 3100-4 Organic Chemistry I ______

CHE 3120-1 Organic Chemistry I Lab _____

AND

CHE 3110- 3 Organic Chemistry II_____

~OR~

ºCHE 3090- 4 Survey of Organic Chem ____

CHE 3120-1 Organic Chemistry I Lab _____

AND

ºCHE 4310-4 Biochemistry _______

B.A. Non-Bio Courses Requirements:

CHE 1100-4 Principles of Chem ______

CHE 2100-4 Intro to Org/Biochem_______

~OR~

CHE 1800-4 Gen Chemistry I ________

CHE 1801-1 Gen Chemistry I Lab _______

CHE 1810-4 Gen Chemistry II ________

CHE 1811-1 Gen Chemistry II Lab _______

Choose from the following math courses:

MTH 1108

-1109 (Stretch College Algebra) *, MTH 1110 (College Algebra), MTH 1111 and MTH 1101 (College

Algebra with lab), MTH 1112 (College Algebra through Modeling), MTH 1115/1116 (College Algebra through

Modeling with Lab), MTH 1120 (Trigonometry), MTH 1210 (Intro to Statistics), MTH 1410 (Calculus I)**

*MTH 1108-1109 is a Stretch Course and only counts as ONE of the required math courses for the BIO BS.*

**Students planning to take Calculus must take MTH 1108-1109, MTH 1110, or MTH 1111**

***Master’s programs often require you to take Intro to Stats course, including CSU and Regis University.

Other graduate programs may require you to take math up to Calculus, Physics I & Lab, and Physics II & lab.

Look at possible graduate programs to see their specific requirements.