College Life

Private Schools That Are Well Known for This Major

• Andrews University
• Bennington College
• Brigham Young University—Idaho
• Delaware Valley College
• Juniata College

State Schools That Are Well Known for This Major

• Auburn University
• California State Polytechnic University—Pomona
• Clemson University
• Colorado State University
• Humboldt State University

Classes in the Major

Cell and Molecular Biology: You've got to walk before you can crawl, and that's why you'll take molecular biology. Understanding life at the smallest level is necessary to know it at the largest level. Understanding tiny little cells squishing around each other makes zebras on the savannah look like child's play. Once you can handle the little stuff, you can go onto the bigger animals.

Genetics: This goes with the molecular bio courses. You can't tell a patient (monkey?) that she's sick because of…something. You need to have answers. Genetics studies will help you understand where these animals are coming from on a microscopic level. So you'll have to start small and work your way up. Once you do you can go on to bring an end to monkey disease worldwide.

Physiology: When you take your car into a mechanic, you hope he has had some sort of education in how cars work. Rehabbing animals is the same thing, except instead of apprenticing with a mechanic, you take physiology courses. In order to help any animal, you've got to understand how the body works. You know that old song that goes "the knee bone's connected to the…thigh bone," well you'll need to be able to recite that little ditty over and over.

Biodiversity and Evolution: Where we came from and how we've changed as animals is more important than saying "We're better'n monkeys." Knowing the difference between vertebrates and invertebrates is also pretty important. After taking these sorts of classes you'll be able to tell anybody why we need three kinds of grasses in an area instead of one. You could also more accurately explain why blasting down the rainforest probably isn't the best idea for the world.

Ecology: This is no shocker. Ecology includes animal behavior and how different species affect each other. Sure, you know dogs and cats aren't the best of friends, but it's a little deeper than that. If you're doing any sort of work with animals, you should know about their natural habitats. If you're not sure what natural habitat means, think of Arnold Schwarzenegger with explosions behind him. It just feels right that way.