How can I become an ethologist?
Etologists study how and why animals behave as they do. A career in ethology can be achieved either by acquiring university studies in the field of ethology or to obtain a degree in comparative psychology. Comparative psychology also includes the study of animal behavior, often by comparing different species, including humans.
Determination is required to become an ethologist, as advanced educational titles are usually required and competition for jobs is stiff. It is possible to become an ethologist with a bachelor's degree in psychology or biology, but postgraduate education increases the chances of finding employment and progress in the field. Most animal behavior requires either a master's degree, a doctor of veterinary medicine (DVM) or a doctor of philosophy (PhD).
those who want to become an ethologist and who decide to follow the biological track specialize in zoology and other biological sciences and study a wide range of animal species. A college -based curriculum for ethology forThey play courses such as anatomy, genetics and neuroscience. An independent research project is often required during the higher year of college.
Comparative psychology studies animal behavior within human psychology. University programs provide a general background in the principles of psychology and an introduction to comparative psychology. The master's degree is usually required for specializing in comparative psychology. Master's level programs include the study of animal behavior, psychobiology and animal behavior research.
Employment at the initial level in ethology includes research assistants, zoo assistants and museums and veterinary technicians. Other career paths for ethologists that require advanced titles include teaching, research, curation in the zoo and animal training. Many ethologists work as university teachers. They mostly teach either zoologiinebo psychology as well as related topics such as physiology or ecology. Some may even teach sociology or anthropology.
Some ethologists conduct research for government, universities or private industry. They can study the control of wild animals or pests. They can also study problems with human health or the effects of drugs on pets and livestock. These tasks require a PhD or DVM title. Sometimes other training in physiology, biochemistry or pharmacology is also needed.
zoo are another possible source of employment for someone who wants to become an ethologist. Sometimes they hire ethologists as curators who are responsible for obtaining animals. ZOOS can also hire ethologists to research animal behavior, especially in the case of endangered species such as giant panda. Etologists can be helpful in discovering ways to maintain endangered species.