Zoology Course Details - Fees, Subjects, Syllabus, Duration, Eligibility, Career Scope

What is Zoology

Zoology is a branch of biology that studies the animals and their entire gamut, which includes evolution, classifications, physiology, biochemistry, genetics, and habits. The subject covers environmental effects on animal behaviours, their interaction between humans and other animals, animal remains, animal behaviour, and conservation. Candidates with zoology courses find opportunities in government departments, environmental agencies, universities, colleges, biotechnological, pharmaceutical, and ecological fields. 

The zoology course is offered at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Candidates can choose the specialisation from the structure, physiology, ethology, biogeography, marine biology, and other branches of the zoology. Candidates can go for a doctorate and postdoctoral programme after the post-graduation in zoology and work as a lecturer or researcher. 

The article provides more details about the zoology courses, which covers the details about the courses, subjects, specialisations, syllabus, scope, opportunities, and details about the recruiters.

Zoology Highlights:

Eligibility Criteria (UG & PG) of Zoology

To get admission to zoology courses, candidates have to follow the certain eligibility criteria. The detailed admission process for the undergraduate and postgraduate courses are given below:

Eligibility Criteria for B.Sc:

• Candidates must have passed class 12 in science stream. 

• They must have studied Physics, Chemistry, and Biology in class 12.

Eligibility Criteria for M.Sc:

• Candidates must have passed B.Sc in zoology from a recognised university and college.

• Candidates who have passed allied medical sciences/biosciences/life sciences are also eligible to apply.

• They are required to have a minimum of 50 per cent at  B.Sc.

M.Sc Entrance Exams:

M.Sc course is offered by various universities and colleges in India. The admission process of these colleges and universities are based on merit as well as the entrance exam conducted by the respective colleges or national-level body. To appear for the entrance exam, candidates need to follow the following procedure:

• Eligible candidates are required to submit their application online at the college or university’s website along with scanned copies of the required documents. They have to pay the application fee online.

• They can also download the filled in application form and send it to the concerned department of the university/college along with required documents and receipt of application fee payment.

• Candidates are shortlisted based on the merit of the qualifying exam.

• Some of the universities/colleges conduct the entrance test.

• Candidates have to appear for the entrance test conducted by the university or college.

• Based on the entrance test result, candidates will be invited for the counselling/interview.

• Selected candidates have to report to the college/university/institute and complete the admission process, which includes, document verification and fee payment.

Eligibility for  Ph.D: 

• Candidates must have scored 55 per cent in M.Sc. (50 per cent for SC/ST candidates).

Ph.D Entrance Exam:

Ph.D in zoology is offered by various universities and colleges in India. The admission process of these colleges and universities are based on merit as well as the entrance exam conducted by the respective colleges or national-level body. To appear for the entrance exam, candidates need to follow the following procedure:

• Candidates need to apply online at the official website of the university.

• Admission to Ph.D. is based on the rank secured in the entrance examination conducted by the Research Department of the respective colleges and institutes.

• Candidates with UGC-CSIR-NET/JRF, UGC-NET/JRF, SLET, GATE are exempted from the Entrance Test.

• The candidates who have qualified in the entrance test will be called for interview/viva-voce, conducted by the Department Research Committee. 

• The general merit list for the M.Phil./Ph.D. programme is prepared by the DRC on the basis of performance of the candidate in the entrance test, the interview/viva-voce.

• Interview judges the suitability of the applicant on the basis of applicant’s research aptitude, knowledge of the subject, a clear understanding of the proposed research problem, the suitability of proposed research methodology, research facilities available and availability of the research supervisor in the proposed research area etc. 

• Shortlisted candidates need to report to the respective centres of the University and complete the admission process which includes document verification and fee payment.

Zoology Specialisations:

Ethology: Ethology is one of the specializations of zoology. This is a scientific and objective study of animal behaviour under natural conditions. Ethologists study the evolution of behaviour and the understanding of behaviour in terms of the theory of natural selection.

Biogeography: Biogeography is the specialisations of zoology. It studies the spatial distribution of organisms on the earth and focuses on topics like plate tectonics, climate change, dispersal and migration, and cladistics.

Physiology: This specialisation studies the mechanical, physical, and biochemical processes of living organisms by attempting to understand how all of the structures function as a whole.

Structure: The cell biology or structure studies the structural and physiological properties of cells. This includes cell behaviour, interactions, and environment. This is done on both the microscopic and molecular levels.

Evolution: Evolutionary research is concerned with the origin and descent of species and their change over time. It generally involves scientists who are trained in particular organisms such as mammalogy, ornithology, herpetology, or entomology.