For Prospective and Current Undergraduate Students

Zoology is the study of animal biology -- from individual cells and molecules to entire ecosystems. It is basic to medicine and agriculture, to conservation and the environmental sciences. Zoologists study the structure, development, function, genetics, inter-relationships, behavior, and evolution of organisms. Some are attempting to understand molecular processes basic to life through studies at the sub-cellular level. Others investigate the regulation of organ systems. A growing concern for the impacts of human beings on the environment has increased the importance of study and research in the area of ecology.

The Department of Zoology at Oregon State University grants undergraduate and advanced degrees. OSU is the only institution in Oregon to offer a bachelor degree in zoology. By selecting appropriate electives from the list of upper-division courses, students can emphasize cellular and developmental biology; organism biology; or ecology, population biology, and behavior.

In cellular and developmental biology, research is carried out on such topics as cell communication, developmental genetics of fruit flies, and the immune systems of fishes and snails. Organism biologists in the department study the anatomy, physiology, and behavior of a variety of animals, including salamanders, frogs, and various marine organisms. In the third area, population biology, topics studied range from marine intertidal communities to sibling relationships in tadpoles to coral reef fish communities.

Students can simultaneously meet requirements for the bachelor's degree in zoology and for entry to a professional school such as medicine, dentistry, optometry, or veterinary medicine. With a bachelors degree in zoology a student is well prepared for entry into graduate training to earn a M.S. or Ph.D. in any of the life sciences.

Zoology majors at OSU have access to controlled environment rooms, large marine and freshwater aquaria, well-equipped laboratories, the varied fauna, flora, and ecosystems of Oregon, and the Hatfield Marine Science Center in Newport. The Life Sciences Club is an active group that organizes extracurricular activities and field trips.

For general university admission requirements and an on-line application contact OSU Admissions Office.

The Zoology Department:

• Information about the department, including information about the Corvallis area and visiting campus
• Events in the department For a listing of general activities, courses on the Web, other links
• Check out the Life Sciences Club for more information about student life. The club is an organization of Environmental.Sciences, Biology, Botany, & Zoology majors interested in learning about career opportunities, field trips, and related professional experiences.

Just what is zoology, anyway?

Of "major" interest:

• Courses and Class Information Information on courses from the OSU General Catalog including class schedules
• Interested in finding out about Careers in Zoology?
• Zoology program Brief description of the Zoology undergraduate and graduate program
• Study tips: Kansas U Med School
• Zoology Advising Information
  • Don't know who is your advisor? Check with the Zoology Office 541-737-3705 or zoology@science.oregonstate.edu
  • College of Science Undergraduate/Advising 
  • More advising information from the College of Science
    • • Introduction to Pre-Vet requirements in the College of Science 
      • Admission information from OSU Vet School
      • Preparing for a Career in Vet Med -- Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges
      • See the Animal Sciences Department Pre-Vet Advisor's list of more useful links.
      • Cornell University Veterinary Medicine Newletter
• Zoology curriculum A sample curriculum for undergraduate majors.
• In addition to Zoology, there are a number of other biological science departments and programs at OSU. Students may select majors in one and a minor in another.
  • For information about other science majors contact The College of Science.

Personal advancement - JOBS:

• Large list of biology-related job placement links (Harvard Dept. Mol. Cell Biol.)
• Careers in Animal Behavior
• Occupational internships Earn credits while gaining experience outside the department, or earn credits doing research with a faculty member or graduate student.
• Careers & Jobs in Marine Biology & Oceanography -- advice about various careers.
• The BioCareer Center -- From SciWeb and Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) "one of the most comprehensive online career resource centers on the Internet"
• Jobs with the State of Oregon -- Current openings and application information
• Thinking about applying to graduate school? Here are some tips.
• Check also "Net-Temps, A world of Jobs neatly Packaged" or Monster for online tips about graduate school and a job database you can search.