Zoology, B.S.

Zoology students at Humboldt can take advantage of our well-developed vertebrate and invertebrate museums. Nearby coastlines, forests, and mountains offer opportunities for studying animals in their native habitats; we also house animals in on-campus quarters. Molecular biology facilities and electron microscopes are available for student use.

Students interested in marine life have use of Humboldt’s marine laboratory, located in nearby Trinidad, and the university’s research vessel, the Coral Sea.

Zoology graduates pursue such careers as: technical writer, zookeeper, environmental consultant, entomologist, herpetologist, mammalogist, health technician, animal nutritionist, laboratory technician, museum curator, science librarian.

We recommend that students who are interested in a major in zoology, take biology, chemistry, and physics (with labs, if possible) plus algebra, geometry, and trigonometry in high school.

A bachelor’s degree requires a total of 120 units. For a description of degree requirements to be fulfilled in addition to those listed below for the major, please see “Bachelor’s Degree Requirements ” section of the catalog.

Requirements for the Major (72-78 units)

Students who receive a grade below a C- in any prerequisite course will require instructor approval for enrollment.

Lower Division (34-37 Units)

BIOL 105 - Principles of Biology Units: 4
BOT 105 - General Botany Units: 4
CHEM 109 - General Chemistry I Units: 5
CHEM 110 - General Chemistry II Units: 5
CHEM 228 - Brief Organic Chemistry Units: 4
PHYX 106 - College Physics: Mechanics & Heat Units: 4
STAT 109 - Introductory Biostatistics Units: 4
ZOOL 110 - Introductory Zoology Units: 4
MATH 105 - Calculus for the Biological Sciences & Natural Resources Units: 3
or
MATH 109 - Calculus I Units: 4
PHYX 107 - College Physics: Electromagnetism & Modern Physics Units: 4
or
PHYX 118 - College Physics: Biological Applications Units: 1

Upper Division (38-41 Units)

BIOL 307 - Evolution Units: 4
BIOL 330 - Principles of Ecology Units: 4
BIOL 340 - Genetics Units: 4
BIOL 350 - Cell Biology Units: 3
ZOOL 310 - Animal Physiology Units: 4

Animal Structure & Function

Complete one course:

ZOOL 370 - Comparative Anatomy of the Vertebrates Units: 4
ZOOL 430 - Comparative Animal Behavior Units: 4
ZOOL 476 - Principles of Animal Development Units: 4

Invertebrate Diversity

Complete one course:

ZOOL 314 - Invertebrate Zoology Units: 5
ZOOL 316 - Freshwater Aquatic Invertebrates Units: 3
ZOOL 358 - General Entomology Units: 4

Vertebrate Diversity

Complete one course.

Upper Division Life Sciences Electives

Complete two courses, totaling at least 5 units, chosen in consultation with your advisor. Possible courses include the following list, or any animal structure & function; invertebrate or vertebrate diversity course listed above, if not already taken.

BIOL 412 - General Microbiology Units: 4
BIOL 418 - Marine Microbiology Units: 3
BIOL 433 - Microbial Ecology Units: 3 and
BIOL 433D - Microbial Ecology Discussion Units: 1
BIOL 440 - Molecular Genetics Lab Units: 2
BIOL 450 - Cell Biology Laboratory Units: 2
BIOL 490 - Senior Thesis Units: 1-2
BIOL 499 - Directed Study Units: 1-2
BIOL 554 - Plant/Animal Interactions Units: 3
BIOL 564 - Transmission & Scanning Electron Microscopy Units: 4
BOT 350 - Plant Taxonomy Units: 4
CHEM 438 - Introductory Biochemistry Units: 4
FISH 380 - Techniques in Fishery Biology Units: 3
FISH 434 - Ecology of Freshwater Fish Units: 4
FISH 435 - Ecology of Marine Fish Units: 4
FISH 471 - Fish Diseases Units: 3
FISH 474 - Conservation Genetics of Fish & Wildlife Units: 4
WLDF 450 - Principles of Wildlife Diseases Units: 3
WLDF 460 - Conservation Biology Units: 3
ZOOL 325 - Advanced Behavioral Neuroscience Units: 4
ZOOL 530 - Benthic Ecology Units: 3
ZOOL 552 - Advanced Invertebrate Zoology Units: 3
ZOOL 556 - Marine Mammalogy Units: 4
ZOOL 560 - Advanced Mammalogy Units: 4

Program Learning Outcomes

Students completing this program will have demonstrated the ability to:

apply the scientific method to questions in biology by formulating testable hypotheses, gathering data that address these hypotheses, and analyzing those data to assess the degree to which their scientific work supports their hypotheses
present scientific hypotheses and data both orally and in writing in the formats that are used by practicing scientists
access the primary literature, identify relevant works for a particular topic, and evaluate the scientific content of these works
apply fundamental mathematical tools (statistics, calculus) and physical principles (physics, chemistry) to the analysis of relevant biological situations
identify the major groups of organisms and be able to classify them within a phylogenetic framework. Students will be able to compare and contrast the characteristics of organisms that differentiate the various domains and kingdoms from one another
use the evidence of comparative biology to explain how the theory of evolution offers the only scientific explanation for the unity and diversity of life on earth. They will be able to use specific examples to explicate how descent with modification has shaped organismal morphology, physiology, life history, and behavior
explain how organisms function at the level of the gene, genome, cell, tissue, organ and organ-system. Drawing upon this knowledge, they will be able to give specific examples of the physiological adaptations, development, reproduction and behavior of different forms of life
explicate the ecological interconnectedness of life on earth by tracing energy and nutrient flows through the environment. They will be able to relate the physical features of the environment to the structure of populations, communities, and ecosystems
demonstrate proficiency in the experimental techniques and methods of analysis appropriate for their area of specialization within biology.