Zoology: Courses, Admission 2024, Fees, Syllabus, Exams, Top Colleges, Career Scope

Zoology is the branch of Biology where students are taught about the animal kingdom, habitat, and their behavioural patterns with the surrounding environment. In Zoology degree courses, one gets a chance to learn about animal life from every point of view, including Microbiology, Genetics, Evolution, Conservation, Biodiversity, Behaviour, Physiology, Ecosystems, and Husbandry. 

The syllabus for Zoology is different for different courses. In graduate-level courses, basic aspects including function, structure, and evolution of animals are covered. While the master’s course covers specialisation of some aspects of animal behaviour.

Zoology in simple terms means Animal Biology. It is a branch of biology that deals with the animal kingdom, including the structure, Embryology, Evolution, Classification, Habits, and distribution of all animals, both living and extinct, and how they interact with their ecosystems. Zoology courses offer study in the same field and equip Zoology students with career prospects in the respective field. 

Yes, here are some popular Zoology specialisations you can study:

• 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.

You can become a Veterinarian after completing your graduation in Zoology subject. You can use your graduate degree to become a Vet Technician, to be precise.

By becoming a Vet Technician you can assist the veterinarian in major and minor procedures on animals as well as medical testing and checkups. But, to become a veterinarian, zoology majors should pursue a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree.

Zoology students have opportunities in government departments, environmental agencies, and educational institutions. They also have opportunities in biotechnological and pharmaceutical fields. They can choose the specialisation from structure, physiology, ethology, biogeography, marine biology, and other branches of Zoology and can pursue research in the same field. As per their specialization, they will have opportunities in the field of Conservationists, Wildlife Biologists, Zoo Curators, Wildlife Educators, Zoology Faculty, Zoology Researchers, Lab Technicians, and more.

Candidates with zzoology courses have opportunities in government departments, environmental agencies, universities and colleges. They also have opportunities in biotechnological and pharmaceutical fields. While doing higher studies, candidates can choose the specialisation from the structure, physiology, ethology, biogeography, marine biology, and other branches of zoology and can pursue the research in the same field.

As per their specialisation, they will have opportunities in the field of conservationists, wildlife biologists, zoo curators, wildlife educators, zoology faculty, zoology researchers and lab technicians. Opportunity in higher studies: Candidates can go for a doctorate and postdoctoral programme after post-graduation in Zoology and work as a lecturer or researcher.

Eligibility criteria differ for UG, PG, and PhD courses in zoology. A Science stream candidate who clears Class 12 with Biology as a subject is eligible for admission to BSc Zoology. For the PG course in Zoology subject, BSc/BSc (Hons) in Zoology is a must, though candidates who passed BSc/BA in medical and allied medical sciences/biosciences/life sciences are also eligible to apply.

For a PhD, a Post-graduation degree in a relevant discipline with 55% (50% for SC/ST candidates) is a must.

The eligibility criteria for admission through CPGET are as follows:

• Candidates must pass their qualifying examination and meet the minimum required marks in the subject(s)/course(s) they are applying for. 
• They must also pass the Common PG Entrance Test in the subject they wish to join. 
• In some cases, the entrance test may be conducted before the results of the qualifying exam are released.
• However, passing the entrance test alone does not guarantee admission.
• Candidates must also pass the qualifying exam with the required marks before the admission process starts.
• During counselling, candidates need to submit the necessary documents listed in the instructions.

A candidate needs to check the eligibility criteria for Andhra Pradesh PGECET before filling out the application form. Those candidates who do not comply with the eligibility criteria for Andhra Pradesh PGECET will not be allowed to participate in the examination process. The Andhra Pradesh PGECET eligibility criteria are provided below:

• The candidate should not be younger than 21 years of age. There is no upper age limit enlisted by the authorities.
• The candidate should be of Indian nationality.
• They must have passed the qualifying examination, which is B.E./B.Tech.
• Candidates must be permanent residents of Andhra Pradesh or Telangana.
• Those candidates who belong to the general category are required to secure at least 50% marks in the qualifying exam, whereas candidates from reserved categories need to score 40%.
  
  

The participating universities in CPGET exam are as follows:

• Osmania University, Hyderabad
• Kakatiya University, Warangal
• Telangana University, Nizamabad
• Mahatma Gandhi University, Nalgonda
• Palamuru University, Mahabubnagar
• Satavahana University, Karimnagar
• Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Hyderabad
• Telangana Mahila Viswavidyalayam Hyderabad

The CUET PG exam difficulty level is depicted in the range of moderate to high. CUET PG examination is conducted into various streams and master's subjects, therefore it is difficult to say the difficulty level of the examination subject wise. However, the difficulty level of the exam varies from subject to subject. 

The difficulty level of the exam also differs from subject to subject. As compared to the other national level entrance exam like IIT JAM, ISI Admission Test, GATE-B, IISER Entrance exam, JEST, NEST examination, the level of CUET PG examination is comparatively low-level. Candidates can expect the high difficulty level of the examination in comparison to State level entrance examinations like- GNDU, UPCATET, SHIATS, MCAER-CET, RUASAT, OUAT.

NTA prescribes the CUET UG marking scheme. Check below to know the CUET UG marking scheme 2025:

• Correct answer or the most appropriate answer: Five marks (+5)
• Any incorrect option marked will be given minus one mark (-1).
• Unanswered/Marked for Review will be given no mark (0).
• If more than one option is found to be correct then Five marks (+5) will be awarded to only those who have marked any of the correct options.
• If all options are found to be correct then Five marks (+5) will be awarded to all those who have attempted the question.
• If none of the options is found correct or a question is found to be wrong or a question is dropped, then all candidates who have attempted the dropped question will be given five marks (+5) marks.

Well, in that case, you have a plethora of options but out of the many specializations choose the one that matches your interest and will help you achieve your career goals. These are the potential specializations under the Zoology major:

• Biomedical science

• Ecology and evolutionary biology

• Animal behavior and neurobiology

• Cell and developmental biology

• General zoology

• Genetics

• Marine biology.

As with most Science courses, in a Zoology Bachelor, you will start broad and narrow down your speciality as you go. In the first year, you can expect to study general biology (including microbiology) and chemistry, as well as some broad topics such as ecology and environmental science. Expect a mix of classroom learning, laboratory work and fieldwork.

• Genetics, embryology
• Evolution, paleobiology
• Epigenetics, environmental physiology
• Animal husbandry, behaviour, enrichment
• Conservation, ecology, biodiversity
• Freshwater biology, marine biology
• Entomology, ornithology, herpetology, parasitology
• Ethics, experiment and research skills, and data handling are some topics you'll get to study.

Yes, there are a few Distance Colleges offering Zoology courses in India. Here are some of the best options:

Note: The information is sourced from the official body any may vary. 

Among 2,776 Zoology colleges in India, numerous colleges are offering great placement opportunities. Here are some top options:

Note: The information is sourced from the official body and may vary.

Zoology offers immense scope to a candidate who has done a master's degree in the Zoology subject. No one can understand animals and their behavioural patterns like Zoologists do. So they have lots of options in terms of career. They can work as Animal Behaviorists, Conservationists, Wildlife biologists, Zoo curators, Wildlife educators, Zoology Faculty, Forensic Experts, Lab Technicians, and Veterinarians.

A Zoologist is an expert in a broad range of animal species and their interactions with one another and their surroundings. Planning requirements for animal care, such as feeding schedules or habitat conditions, managing a group of experts who provide daily care to animals, and carrying out research projects to gain additional knowledge about a specific species are some of their responsibilities.

The government, non-government, and corporate sector offers jobs to people who have completed the UG and PG zoology courses. The salary offered varies from sector to sector depending upon the skills, qualifications, experience, and other specific demands of the recruiters.

As a fresher or at the entry-level the average salary package offered varies from INR 2 to INR 3 LPA. People with a decent number of years of experience can earn up to a salary package of INR 6 to 10 LPA. The detailed salary offers as per the experience is given below:

Note: The information is sourced from external sites and may vary.

Wildlife Biologists use their findings to write scientific research papers, inform habitat programs or improve human-wildlife interaction, and they also help spread awareness about nature conservation. 

Skills Required:

• Analytical skills
• Creative Thinking
• Innovation
• Decision making
• Problem-solving

While there are many career options after pursuing a Zoology course, here are some Zoology career options, students can opt for:

Note: The information is sourced from external sites and may vary.

Biology is the umbrella term for the scientific study of all living things. This includes animals, but also plants, fungi, and micro-organisms.
Zoology is a branch of Biology and is focused on animal life. This will include some microbiology (single-celled organisms) but is more focused on multi-cellular life (such as Daphnia and plankton), invertebrates (insects, Mollusca, etc.), and fauna (birds, reptiles, mammals, etc.).
Zoology curricula also include some Botany but in the context of animals. For example, how certain species of plants and animals interact with each other.