<p>Okay, so I've got several questions. I go to a community college in Southern California and I want to major in zoology, but my school doesn't offer that major and I'm not currently in a position to change schools. So, my first question is if I major in biology, then attempt to transfer to a university that offers zoology, is it going to cause a big problem for me? Or is biology a good major to go with until I can get to zoology? Like, is it similar enough or should I choose something else and what are some suggestions?
Next, I want to major in zoology, specialize in mammals and hopefully become either a wildlife rehabilitator or an animal behaviorist. Also, I don't want to go out of state for school. I would prefer to stay in southern California, and if not that, than at least in California. So, my question is what schools should I look into/go to that fit into all or most of this criteria? I've heard UCSB has zoology, but do they focus more on marine life or what? And I read that UCSD has biological and natural sciences, but I don't know if that's similar or completely different. I just need a bunch of help.
Please and thank you!</p>
<p>It will not be a problem to transfer from a community college biology program to a university zoology dept. Usually, the required coursework for majors across the various bioscience subspecialties is pretty similar in the first two years, e.g., general and organic chemistry general biology, general physics, and calculus. In addition, general biology majors and zoology majors often have many advanced courses in common, e.g., cell biology, genetics, evolution, ecology.</p>
<p>If you want to be a wildlife rehabilitator, consider a major in wildlife biology. If you want to be an animal behaviorist, do a major in zoology or ecology & evolution if you want to study ethology; do a major in one of those fields + a major in psychology if you’re focus is applied animal behavior/training.</p>
<p>In California, UC-Davis probably is your best option:
[UC</a> Davis General Catalog | Evolution and Ecology (EVE) Courses](<a href=“http://catalog.ucdavis.edu/programs/EVE/EVEcourses.html]UC”>http://catalog.ucdavis.edu/programs/EVE/EVEcourses.html)
[UC</a> Davis General Catalog | Wildlife, Fish, and Conservation Biology (WFC) Courses](<a href=“http://catalog.ucdavis.edu/programs/WFC/WFCcourses.html]UC”>http://catalog.ucdavis.edu/programs/WFC/WFCcourses.html)
[UC</a> Davis General Catalog | Psychology (PSC) Courses](<a href=“http://catalog.ucdavis.edu/Programs/PSC/PSCcourses.html]UC”>http://catalog.ucdavis.edu/Programs/PSC/PSCcourses.html)
[UC</a> Davis General Catalog | Animal Biology Requirements](<a href=“http://catalog.ucdavis.edu/programs/ABI/ABIreqt.html]UC”>http://catalog.ucdavis.edu/programs/ABI/ABIreqt.html)
For applied animal training, Moorpark is second to none: [Exotic</a> Animal Training and Management - Academic - Departments - Moorpark College](<a href=“http://www.moorparkcollege.edu/departments/academic/exotic_animal_training_and_management.shtml]Exotic”>Exotic Animal Training and Management | Moorpark College)</p>
<p>Also, see my posts in these threads:
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-search-selection/1044934-strongest-zoology-programs.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-search-selection/1044934-strongest-zoology-programs.html</a>
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/other-college-majors/1249990-animal-behavior-zoology.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/other-college-majors/1249990-animal-behavior-zoology.html</a></p>
<p>Have you considered majoring in Anthropology? Anthro is heavy on Biology & Chemistry, and is a great pathway to zoology.</p>