Zoology is a branch of biology, and it deals with the study of animals. In zoology, the students are taught about the classification of animals, biochemistry, their habits, their genetics and their evolution. You will also get to learn about the effect of environmental factors on animal behaviours. It is also fascinating to learn about the interactions between the animals of same as well as different species. Many animals also interact with a human, and the zoology also covers the interaction of animals with humans. Zoology offers a complete guide to the animal kingdom and the candidates pursuing zoology can work with government departments, pharmaceutical companies and biotechnology firms. If you have completed your zoology, then you will also get a chance to work with education institutes and environmental agencies.
You will be glad to know that the courses in zoology are offered at UG as well as PG level. You can become a specialist in a particular brand of zoology as well. You have options to be a specialist in physiology, structure, bio-geography, marine biology and other branches available in the course. If you wish to study further, then, you also have the option to pursue the course at doctorate or postdoctoral levels. Still,it is only possible after you have completed your post-graduation. The field has a lot of options, and if you are interested in zoology, then you are in the right place. In this article, we have covered all the information about the Zoology Courses.
Degree Offered in Zoology
In Zoology, the courses are available at various level. You can choose the course as per your education level. At the bachelor level, you can pursue B.Sc. or B.Sc. (Hons) in Zoology. If you wish to move ahead, then you can also opt for a Dual Degree. In addition to this, there are other courses available which include M.A., M.Sc., M.Phil. & PGD. You can refer to the table below to get all the necessary information about the course.
Highlights of Zoology Courses in India
| Course Level in Zoology | UG, PG & Doctorate |
| Admission Process for Zoology | Entrance Exam & Merit Base |
| Courses Available in Zoology | B.Sc. in Zoology
M.Sc. in Zoology M.Phil. in Zoology PhD in Zoology |
| Minimum Qualification for Various Courses | At B.Sc. Level, you should have completed class 12th with Medical Stream.
At M.Sc. Level, you should have completed B.Sc. Zoology course or an equivalent course in medical science, life science or bioscience For PhD, you should have completed Master’s course with required marks |
| Annual Course Fee for Zoology | Between Rs 10,000 & Rs 50,000 |
| Average Compensation | Between Rs 2.5 LPS to Rs 8 LPA (Increases with Experience) |
| Career Growth | Animal Care Specialist, Wildlife Biologist, Conservationist, Zoo Curator, Professor, Researcher or Lab Technician |
| Major Recruiters | Government Departments, Universities, Environmental Agencies, Pharmaceutical Companies, Biotechnology Companies & Ecological Companies |
| Good to Have Skills | Self-Motivated, Determined and Creative
Flexible with work timings and extended shifts Self-Disciplined, Good Communications and Good Time Management Team Player |
Eligibility Criteria for Zoology Courses
In this section, we have listed more details about the eligibility criteria associated with the Zoology courses at various levels. Go ahead and check them out now
Eligibility Criteria for B.Sc.
If you are planning to pursue Zoology at Bachelor Level, then you would need to complete Class 12th with the marks required for the admission. To get the admission, you must have an excellent score since the admission in most of the universities is based on the cut-off of marks scored in Class 12th. It is also mandatory for you to have Physics, Biology & Chemistry in Class 12th to pursue a B.Sc. course.
Eligibility Criteria for M.Sc.
To enrol in M.Sc. Course, you should have completed B.Sc. in Zoology, Medical Science, Life Science or Bioscience from a recognized college or University. Most of the universities demand 50% marks in B.Sc. as eligibility criteria. It should be noted that the admission in M.Sc. is mostly through the entrance exam, and we have shared more details about the entrance exam later in this article.
Eligibility Criteria for PhD.
If you wish to move a step further and if you want to pursue a doctorate course, then you have an option to pursue a PhD as well. The eligibility criteria are straight forward, and you need to complete your M.Sc. with 55% to get into PhD. It should be noted that the admission in PhD is on a merit basis and hence you get an advantage of a good score in M.Sc.
Admission Process for Course in Zoology
We have already checked the eligibility criteria for admission in various courses in Zoology. If you have shortlisted the college, then we would also request you to go through the detailed eligibility criteria and admission process of the college that you are interested in. For generalized information about the admission, you can check out the information listed below.
Admission Process for B.Sc.
Universities like Delhi University & Kolkata University offers a Bachelor Level Course in Zoology. You would need to fill the form for the University that you are interested in. In the form, you would also need to express your interest in regards to the college and the course. Later, the colleges roll out their cut-off levels, and if you have marks to qualify for the cut-off, you will be able to secure admission in the college. Some colleges also require you to appear in the entrance exam and hence we advise you to check out the individual college website for more details.
Admission Process for M.Sc.
For M.Sc., the admission process is usually based on the entrance test. There are still some universities that offer admission on merit bases as well. It is highly advisable to check about the type of admission process followed by respective colleges & universities. If you wish to appear in the entrance exam, you would need to check your eligibility first and then submit the application in the respective universities. You will also be required to submit certain documents along with the fee. All the applications can be submitted online these days. According to the dates, you will need to appear in the examination, and if you qualify the examination, then you will be invited for counselling or interview. The list of the selected candidates will be rolled out shortly, and you will then get the admission after you deposit the course fee.
For the colleges, that follows the merit-based admission, you need to apply for the college, and you will be selected based on the cut-offs and the seat availabilities.
Admission Process for PhD.
If you are seeking admission in PhD, then you have a lot of options. You will be able to secure admission in universities via entrance exam as well as merit basis. The colleges have different admission process, and hence you need to check out the website of the college for proper details. If the college follows merit-based admission, you will have to fill the form and, you will have to wait for the college to roll out the cut-off list. If you qualify for the cut-off, you will be able to get the admission after depositing the fee.
For the colleges that follow the entrance exam format, you would need to submit the online form for the admission. After the submission of the form, you would need to appear in the Research Department exam, and you will be getting a rank. You may also appear in UGC-CSIR-NET/JRF, SLET, UGC-NET or GATE for completing the entrance exam. Depending on the rank, you will be called for counselling where you will have to go through a PI to get the admission. Once the list of selected candidates is published, you will be able to finalize your admissions. It should be noted that you will be questioned about the research problem, proposal and the research methodology during the interview for the selection. After the final selection, you will also have to go through the document verification.
It is worth checking about the stipend policy of the college when you are seeking admission in the college at the doctorate level.
Different Field in Zoology
There are multiple fields in Zoology that you can opt for. We have shared some information about them below so that you can choose the right field depending on your interest. Go ahead and check them out below.
- Biogeography–In this field, you get to learn about the distribution of living organisms on Earth. The course focuses on climate change, plate tectonics, migration of animals, dispersal & cladistics.
- Physiology– In Physiology, you get to learn about the physics, biochemistry and mechanicals of living organisms. You also get to know about the structural functioning of the animal kingdom.
- Evolution–In this specialization of Zoology, you get to learn about the origin of various species. You also get to learn about the descent of species and how they have evolved. In this field, there are other categorizations which are mammalogy, herpetology, ornithology and entomology.
- Ethology– In Ethology, you get to learn about the behaviour of animals under natural conditions. Here, you also get to learn about the behaviour of animals and the behaviour with regards to natural selection.
- Structure– In this field, you get to learn about cell biology and the structure of the cells of animals. You also get to learn about the cell behaviour, environment and interactions of the animal cell. This course deals with microscopic & molecular level components.
Scope of Zoology
We have already talked about the types of organization that hires graduates in this field. When you opt for higher education, you would need to go ahead and choose the specialization that you are interested in. If you are planning to go along with a doctorate program, you will have to go ahead and pursue a PhD in the same field. Depending on the course level, you get the designation and the salary. All these details have already been listed in the table on top of the page. If you are interested, you can also apply for foreign universities as compensation, and the pay package is a lot higher in the case of foreign universities.
The fee of Courses in Zoology
You can check out the points below to get the idea of the fee that you will have to pay to get the admission in Zoology.
- For Diploma Course, the minimum fee is Rs 3600, and the maximum can go up to Rs 1.35 Lakhs.
- For UG course, the minimum fee is Rs 360, and the maximum can go up to Rs 6.92 Lakhs.
- For PG course, the minimum course if Rs 607 and the maximum can go up to Rs 2.43 Lakhs.
- For Doctoral course, the minimum fee is Rs 9210, and the maximum can go up to Rs 8.11 Lakhs.
It should be noted that the fee is dependent on the college and University. Moreover, the fee is subjected to change without any prior notification. We advise you to check out the college website to get the accurate numbers.
Subjects Taught in Zoology
If you are interested in learning about the subjects taught in different semesters of the courses, then you can check out the list below. It should be noted that the subject may vary at the Master’s level depending on your specialization. Go ahead and check out the list below.
- Practical on Non-Chordate Diversity & Systematics
- Theory on Non-Chordate Diversity & Systematics
- Practical on Biochemistry
- Theory on Biochemistry
- Diversity & Comparative Anatomy (Practical & Theory)
- Biostatistics & Bioinstrumentation(Practical & Theory)
- Biotechniques, Ethology & Biostatistics (Practical & Theory)
- Developmental Biology (Practical & Theory)
- Genetics and Evolution (Practical & Theory)
- Animal Physiology (Practical & Theory)
- Endocrinology(Practical & Theory)
- Molecular Biology & Immunology (Practical & Theory)
- Parasitology (Practical & Theory)
- Biotechnology & Bioinformatics (Practical & Theory)
- Economic Zoology (Practical & Theory)
The subjects for the master levels are listed below.
- Structure and Functioning of Invertebrates
- Cell Biology & Genetics
- General Physiology
- Reproductive Biology
- Endocrinology
- Molecular Biology & Biotechnology
- Developmental Biology
- Parasitology
- Immunology
- Selective Choice I & II
Final Verdict
After completing the course, you can choose your career, depending on your interest. You can work as a biology technician, or you can even work as an animal care specialist. There is a massive demand for vets in the industry, and hence you can choose this field. You can even setup your institute. You can work on animal farms, training animals and even in zookeeping. If you wish, you can choose to work as a wildlife conservationist as well. A popular field is an educationist as well, and hence you can stay in this field if you are interested in teaching children. With this, we hope we have covered all the information about the course and if you have any other question, then do reach out to us.
Zoology Courses India FAQs
1. Q: What are the typical eligibility criteria for undergraduate Zoology courses in India?
- A: Eligibility criteria may vary among universities, but generally, candidates should have completed their 10+2 education in the science stream with Biology as one of the main subjects.
2. Q: What is the duration of undergraduate Zoology courses?
- A: Bachelor’s degree programs in Zoology typically have a duration of three years.
3. Q: Can I pursue postgraduate studies in Zoology after completing a different undergraduate degree?
- A: Some universities may accept graduates from related fields for postgraduate studies in Zoology, but it’s advisable to check specific admission requirements with the respective institutions.
4. Q: Are there specialized areas within Zoology that I can focus on during my studies?
- A: Yes, Zoology encompasses various specializations such as Entomology, Marine Biology, Ethology, Genetics, and more. Some universities may offer specialized courses or allow you to choose electives in these areas.
5. Q: What career opportunities are available after completing a degree in Zoology?
- A: Graduates in Zoology can pursue careers in research, conservation, teaching, wildlife management, environmental consulting, and more. Some may also work in laboratories, museums, or government agencies.
6. Q: Are there online Zoology courses available in India?
- A: Yes, there are online courses and programs in Zoology offered by various institutions. These may include certificate courses, diploma programs, or even online degrees.
7. Q: What is the scope of research in Zoology in India?
- A: Zoologists can contribute to research in diverse fields such as biodiversity, ecology, animal behavior, genetics, and more. Research opportunities are available in universities, research institutions, and wildlife organizations.
8. Q: Can I pursue a Ph.D. in Zoology in India?
- A: Yes, many universities in India offer Ph.D. programs in Zoology for those interested in advanced research and academia.
9. Q: What skills are important for a career in Zoology?
- A: Strong analytical skills, attention to detail, research skills, and a passion for wildlife and the environment are crucial. Communication skills are also valuable for presenting research findings or teaching.
10. Q: Are there government scholarships or funding opportunities for Zoology students in India? –
- A: Yes, various government and private scholarships may be available for students pursuing Zoology courses. It’s recommended to check with the relevant scholarship authorities or the university’s financial aid office.
Rahul Kumar is a passionate educator, writer, and subject matter expert in the field of education and professional development. As an author on CoursesXpert, Rahul Kumar’s articles cover a wide range of topics, from various courses, educational and career guidance.
