Zoology (pronouncing "zo" as in "zone,") is a branch of biology that
focuses on the study of animals. Within this branch, people may also
specialize and study certain forms of animals. For example a person
working in zoology might study fish biology and work as an
ichthyologist. Alternately, a zoologist could specialize in the study of
mammals and be called a mammalogist.
The discipline of zoology
dates to the Ancient Greeks. In fact our primary system of classifying
animals is largely based on Aristotle’s work, though he made numerous
classification errors. Early zoologists who followed Aristotle include
many unknown collectors of animals who attempted to understand animals,
or who were merely fascinated by the animal kingdom.
Modern
zoology arrived with the invention of the microscope, but it would be a
mistake to leave out the extremely important contributions of Charles
Darwin. With Darwin’s theory of evolution, understanding the
relationship between humans and animals increased and further spurred
interest in animals because humans were thought by some to have
descended from them. As Darwin’s theory gained acceptance, humans became
part of the animal kingdom in a way that was both inclusive and
humbling.
Zoologists that followed Darwin often studied animals
in relationship to humans. Knowledge of the possible relationships of
animals changed some classifications, and studies in zoology continue to
refine animal classifications. The more zoologists learn about animals,
the more diverse and complex the field of zoology becomes.
Since
specializations within zoology are so diverse, it’s somewhat difficult
to describe exactly what a zoologist does. This can vary a great deal.
Most zoology students in Bachelor of Science programs study biology,
chemistry, ecology, microbiology, cell biology, and other fields that
will help them to specialize.
Some zoologists become so only
through graduate work. They may hold a Bachelor’s degree in a branch of
science like chemistry or biology, and then pursue Master’s or Ph.D.
level work in zoology. Other university programs offer Bachelor’s
degrees in zoology.
The field of zoology is a large one, with
numerous specialists and numerous disciplines attached to it. Zoology
scientists might study all animals, and branch out into ecological
studies, or they may evaluate the chemistry of certain animals. Some
zoologists devote their work to the study of one animal only, while
other zoology scientists evaluate the lives of long extinct animal
populations in the field called paleozoology.
A paleozoologist
might study with paleontologists, paleobotanists, and may include
physical anthropology in their studies. Anthrozoologists study both
cultural and physical anthropology since they principally study
interactions between animals and people. One interesting branch of
zoology is cryptozoology, which evaluates and attempts to classify
animals only rumored to exist, like the Loch Ness monster or the Yeti.
Cryptozoologists might also do field studies if an animal thought
previously extinct is re-discovered.
Zoology is certainly an
important field, enhancing our understanding of the world in which we
live. For the zoologist, there are numerous working opportunities,
though some may not be particularly lucrative financially. Zoologists
may contribute their studies to animal behaviorists, work in zoos, study
animals in the wild, participate in archaeological digs, apply their
knowledge to improve raising of animals for food, be part of cloning
experiments, or work primarily in labs analyzing the cell biology of
animals. This large disciple, covering a variety of subfields, also may
act as accessory to many related branches of science.
