Any Biology Majors Here?

[CatherineM]

Some bio majors take a lot of chemistry because they want to get into med school, and it is required for that, not their bio degree.

[OnlySunshine]

[quote name='CatherineM' timestamp='1299116013' post='2217331']
Some bio majors take a lot of chemistry because they want to get into med school, and it is required for that, not their bio degree.
[/quote]

It's kind of ironic, though, that I don't want to go on to be a doctor or veterinarian and yet, I have to take a physical science to major in biological science.

Anyway, I've been doing some searching because I understand all too well that not many schools offer a concentration in Zoology. They are few and far between. The ones I know of off-hand:

Auburn University (one of my first choices)
Florida State University (not a Zoology major, per se, but a Biology major with a Zoology concentration)
University of Florida (not really one of my choices though since they are HIGHLY competitive)
University of Wisconsin
Miami University in Ohio

I'm looking for a school closer to home and I still have some time to decide. I am planning to apply to Auburn University first but I want to apply to some back-up schools, in case I don't get accepted.

Edited March 3, 2011 by MaterMisericordiae

[CatherineM]

My college roommate married a guy from Auburn. They met at a forestry competition. We beat them, and I think she consoled him, and have been together ever since.

[Lilllabettt]

University of Wisconsin <--------- Mom went here for her BSN. amesome but hardcore school
Miami University in Ohio <--------- Bro went here. Smaller, more hand-holding, great academics

Mom always says organic chem is what separates men from boys and future MDs from public health majors - that said: You can do it!!! (My Mom got an A.)

[OnlySunshine]

[quote name='CatherineM' timestamp='1299120284' post='2217343']
My college roommate married a guy from Auburn. They met at a forestry competition. We beat them, and I think she consoled him, and have been together ever since.
[/quote]




[quote name='Lilllabettt' timestamp='1299124543' post='2217368']
University of Wisconsin <--------- Mom went here for her BSN. amesome but hardcore school
Miami University in Ohio <--------- Bro went here. Smaller, more hand-holding, great academics

Mom always says organic chem is what separates men from boys and future MDs from public health majors - that said: You can do it!!! (My Mom got an A.)
[/quote]

Thanks! I'm gonna try my hardest!

[Nihil Obstat]

[quote name='MaterMisericordiae' timestamp='1299116977' post='2217336']
It's kind of ironic, though, that I don't want to go on to be a doctor or veterinarian and yet, I have to take a physical science to major in biological science.

Anyway, I've been doing some searching because I understand all too well that not many schools offer a concentration in Zoology. They are few and far between. The ones I know of off-hand:

Auburn University (one of my first choices)
Florida State University (not a Zoology major, per se, but a Biology major with a Zoology concentration)
University of Florida (not really one of my choices though since they are HIGHLY competitive)
University of Wisconsin
Miami University in Ohio

I'm looking for a school closer to home and I still have some time to decide. I am planning to apply to Auburn University first but I want to apply to some back-up schools, in case I don't get accepted.
[/quote]
Have you considered any Canadian schools? If moving away from home isn't a big deal to you, you might be served well by some of the larger universities with big science programs.

[Mr.Cat]

[quote name='Nihil Obstat' timestamp='1299132528' post='2217394']Have you considered any Canadian schools? If moving away from home isn't a big deal to you, you might be served well by some of the larger universities with big science programs.[/quote]Seconded. I move second question.

[OnlySunshine]

Canada is MUCH too far away! I am having a little trouble thinking about attending Auburn, so I can't even fathom going to a school in Canada.

[cmotherofpirl]

Not to be a downer, but getting a zoo job with a living wage can be difficult in the beginning, so make sure you have so business classes etc to increase your job prospects in related areas.

[4588686]

[quote name='MaterMisericordiae' timestamp='1298954104' post='2216694']
I am finishing up my Associates in Arts degree to prepare for university entrance in Spring 2012 and I hope to major in Biology or Zoology. I have been looking at the curriculum offered by my hometown university and I find the classes a bit daunting. There is so much physical science in biology! I'm especially unnerved by Organic Chemistry and Physics since I have never really been that good at Chemistry. Physics just sounds intimidating. Is anyone here a Biology major? How was the curriculum and how well did you do?
[/quote]

At UNC everybody and their mother is a Bio major. My best friend is a bio major. Yeah, Orgo is a beesh and a half.

The competition is crazy. I don't know how other schools do it but here you are in competition with every other student. I had a friend in physics who had the points for an A but got bumped down to a B by the curve.

You have to want it. Bad.


Just remember. A generic degree in science isn't that valuable. A Biology Major is like a history major or political science major or anything else. Unless you are going to graduate or med school it doesn't have a ton of real life applications.

[Lilllabettt]

[quote name='MaterMisericordiae' timestamp='1299170654' post='2217464']
Canada is MUCH too far away! I am having a little trouble thinking about attending Auburn, so I can't even fathom going to a school in Canada.
[/quote]


Also not to be a downer ... but uuhhh you said you wanted to study African cats, right? Can you fathom living and working most of every year on the other side of the world?

I would take the chance to practice being cosmo in a safe, first world environment where people speak the english. But maybe for now you could get the "culture shock" experience living in a relatively close, big city .. or at a huge school, which can be like cities in themselves ...

In terms of dealing with a new environment, new classes, etc ... we are usually stronger, smarter than we think we are. When I moved to DC I cried for 2 weeks. But I knew there was no going home, I just had to stick it out no matter what. I comforted myself by telling myself that although living here would be miserable, it would almost certainly not kill me. Three months later I was happy and felt like I'd always lived in a big city

[CatherineM]

Just don't make the mistake I did, and equate a subject you are interested in, with a job you are interested in. I loved being a forestry major. One of the funnest things to study. The fact that there would be no job for me when I graduated, never occurred to me. That I was physically incapable of doing the job for my entire career, also never occurred to me. No one bothered to point either out to me until I was in my last semester. Professors don't get paid extra when their students get good jobs. They also don't get paid less if their students can't get a job. They might get paid less if no one signs up for their classes because there are no jobs, so find someone who is doing the job you want to do, ask them what it takes. If you want to work with big cats, call Busch Gardens in Tampa, or the OKC zoo. Both have well recognized big cat breeding programs. As them what their typical day is like. Ask them what they took in school, and where they went. Ask about summer internships. Ask them what it pays (to help you do a cost/benefit on student loans).

[cmotherofpirl]

[quote name='CatherineM' timestamp='1299175692' post='2217494']
Just don't make the mistake I did, and equate a subject you are interested in, with a job you are interested in. I loved being a forestry major. One of the funnest things to study. The fact that there would be no job for me when I graduated, never occurred to me. That I was physically incapable of doing the job for my entire career, also never occurred to me. No one bothered to point either out to me until I was in my last semester. Professors don't get paid extra when their students get good jobs. They also don't get paid less if their students can't get a job. They might get paid less if no one signs up for their classes because there are no jobs, so find someone who is doing the job you want to do, ask them what it takes. If you want to work with big cats, call Busch Gardens in Tampa, or the OKC zoo. Both have well recognized big cat breeding programs. As them what their typical day is like. Ask them what they took in school, and where they went. Ask about summer internships. Ask them what it pays (to help you do a cost/benefit on student loans).
[/quote]
Agreed. My friend with the bio degree who has several different certifications and several years experience at the zoo in her specialty is still looking for nation wide for full time employment. The funding sources have literally dried up in many places. She works at a pet shop so she can eat and pay her student loans in the same month. Do what you love but be smart about it.

[OnlySunshine]

[quote name='Lilllabettt' timestamp='1299174982' post='2217486']
Also not to be a downer ... but uuhhh you said you wanted to study African cats, right? Can you fathom living and working most of every year on the other side of the world?

I would take the chance to practice being cosmo in a safe, first world environment where people speak the english. But maybe for now you could get the "culture shock" experience living in a relatively close, big city .. or at a huge school, which can be like cities in themselves ...

In terms of dealing with a new environment, new classes, etc ... we are usually stronger, smarter than we think we are. When I moved to DC I cried for 2 weeks. But I knew there was no going home, I just had to stick it out no matter what. I comforted myself by telling myself that although living here would be miserable, it would almost certainly not kill me. Three months later I was happy and felt like I'd always lived in a big city
[/quote]

I'm thinking about it more on a financial level. I am not sure I would be able to afford to take plane rides home to visit my family. At least, in Alabama, it's pretty close so I would be able to drive or take the train.

[OnlySunshine]

[quote name='CatherineM' timestamp='1299175692' post='2217494']
Just don't make the mistake I did, and equate a subject you are interested in, with a job you are interested in. I loved being a forestry major. One of the funnest things to study. The fact that there would be no job for me when I graduated, never occurred to me. That I was physically incapable of doing the job for my entire career, also never occurred to me. No one bothered to point either out to me until I was in my last semester. Professors don't get paid extra when their students get good jobs. They also don't get paid less if their students can't get a job. They might get paid less if no one signs up for their classes because there are no jobs, so find someone who is doing the job you want to do, ask them what it takes. If you want to work with big cats, call Busch Gardens in Tampa, or the OKC zoo. Both have well recognized big cat breeding programs. As them what their typical day is like. Ask them what they took in school, and where they went. Ask about summer internships. Ask them what it pays (to help you do a cost/benefit on student loans).
[/quote]


[quote name='cmotherofpirl' timestamp='1299189732' post='2217604']
Agreed. My friend with the bio degree who has several different certifications and several years experience at the zoo in her specialty is still looking for nation wide for full time employment. The funding sources have literally dried up in many places. She works at a pet shop so she can eat and pay her student loans in the same month. Do what you love but be smart about it.
[/quote]


Good point. I am trying to be realistic in terms of my expectations and not set my sights too high. Working with animals is something I've wanted to do all my life, so if for some reason I cannot work with wildlife, I'll go back to school to become a veterinarian.