Zoology

The Major: Students planning to major in zoology should see a department adviser in 223 Bartram Hall to plan an undergraduate program and prepare career goals.

Majors should begin the general chemistry sequence in the freshman year and also begin Integrated Principles of Biology (BSC 2010-2010L, 2011-2011L). Some college-level chemistry is strongly recommended before taking BSC 2010. Calculus (MAC 2311) should be completed as early as possible.

The minimum number of credits (passed with C or better) required for the basic zoology major is 32, including the following courses:

• Integrated Principles of Biology (BSC 2010-2010L, BSC 2011-2011L)
• Genetics (PCB 3063), and
• At least three courses from the Department of Zoology at 3000 or higher level (may include ZOO 2203C and ZOO 2303C)>

• One year of physics (PHY 2053 or 2048 and PHY 2053L or 2048L. And PHY 2049 or 2054 and PHY 2049L or 2054L);
• One semester of analytical geometry and calculus (MAC 2311) and either a second semester of analytical geometry and calculus (MAC 2312) or statistics (STA 2023); and
• Chemistry through organic (CHM 2210 and 2211-2211L or CHM 3217 and 2211L).

Students should begin the chemistry and math sequences as soon as possible. A full year of calculus, a course in statistics (such as STA 2023) and a course in computer and information sciences (such as CGS 2531) are highly recommended.

Transfer students must take at least three courses from the Department of Zoology (excluding ZOO 4905, ZOO 4926, and ZOO 4940) at the University of Florida as part of the requirements for the major.

The Department of Zoology recommends certain courses for a zoologist specialization, pre-professional specialization, and a biology education specialization (see below).

Zoologist Specialization: Zoology majors in this specialization should work closely with a departmental adviser to plan for graduate school or career choices. Advisers will provide guidance for admission to graduate school and will help students select appropriate graduate programs.

Students should participate in supervised research through Individual Studies in Zoology (ZOO 4905; 3 or more credit hours) by the second semester of the junior year; should take the Graduate Record Examination in the fall of the senior year; and should complete applications to graduate schools by January before an expected fall-term admission.

This specialization has the same minimum credit-hour requirement (32); the same Integrated Principles of Biology (BSC 2010-2010L, 2011-2011L) and Genetics (PCB 3063) requirement; and the same physics, math and chemistry requirement as the basic zoology major. The biological science curriculum below is recommended.

Pre-professional Specialization: Zoology majors seeking admission to medical, dental, optometry or veterinary school should contact the Office of Health and Legal Professions Advising in 100 Academic Advising Center.

This specialization has the same minimum credit-hour requirement (32); the same Integrated Principles of Biology (BSC 2010-2010L, 2011-2011L) and Genetics (PCB 3063) requirement; and the same physics, math and chemistry requirement as the basic zoology major. The following biological science curriculum is recommended:

Pre-veterinary students should integrate ASG 3003C and ASG 3402C into the zoology major as required by the College of Veterinary Medicine. See requirements in the Veterinary Medicine section regarding undergraduate preparation.

Biology Education Specialization: Please consult an adviser in the College of Education.

Interdisciplinary Studies Major in Integrative Biology: The IDS major in integrative biology is for undergraduates who are interested in a broader approach to biology than is available through a major in botany or zoology or other biological science. Pre-professional students, those seeking careers in secondary education, and those with interdisciplinary interests in systematics, ecology, physiology/biochemistry or molecular biology will be interested in the IDS major. Please consult the undergraduate coordinator for details. See below.

Interdisciplinary Studies in Integrative Biology

To remain ‘on track’ for this major, a student must meet the following critical tracking criteria:

• 2.0 UF GPA required for semesters 1-5
• Complete either CHM, MAC or BSC course

• Complete CHM2045 and CHM2045L and either MAC2311 or BSC2010 and BSC2010L

• Complete CHM2045 and CHM2045L and MAC2311

• Complete CHM2046, CHM2046L, MAC2311, BSC2010 and BSC2010L with a 2.5 GPA on all critical tracking course work

• Complete BSC2011 and BSC2011L with a 2.5 GPA on all critical tracking course work

Honors: To graduate cum laude (with honors), a student must achieve a 3.5 junior-/senior-level GPA. To graduate magna cum laude (with high honors) or summa cum laude (with highest honors), a student must maintain a GPA of at least 3.5 and complete two semesters of research through Individual Studies in Zoology (ZOO 4905, at least three credit hours per semester with a grade of B or higher).

This research, started by the second semester of the junior year and conducted under supervision of zoology faculty, must be presented as a thesis. If approved, the student will be recommended for magna cum laude or summa cum laude recognition. All students desiring to qualify for magna cum laude or summa cum laude should see the undergraduate coordinator.

The Minor: Students must complete with grades of C or better BSC 2010-2010L, 2011-2011L and at least three Zoology Department PCB or ZOO courses of three or more credits each. A minimum of nine hours must be completed at UF. Individual Studies in Zoology (ZOO 4905) will not count toward the minor. Students must apply in 100 Academic Advising Center before the semester of graduation.

Overseas Study: Consult an adviser or the UF International Center in 123 Grinter.

This program is the basic zoology major. Students following the zoologist, pre-professional or biology education specializations follow a slightly different program.

Zoology

To remain ‘on track’ for this major, a student must meet the following critical tracking criteria:

• 2.0 UF GPA required for semesters 1-5
• Complete either CHM, MAC or BSC course

• Complete CHM2045 and CHM2045L and either MAC2311 or BSC2010 and BSC2010L

• Complete CHM2045 and CHM2045L and MAC2311

• Complete CHM2046, CHM2046L, MAC2311, BSC2010 and BSC2010L with a 2.5 GPA on all critical tracking course work

• Complete BSC2011 and BSC2011L with a 2.5 GPA on all critical tracking course work.