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[hazzard]

Firstly there is no specific one science degree that makes you a better herpetologist than anyone else. Basically any science degree with some reference to vertebrate biology and ecology is enough to get you on your way.

As mentioned already a herpetologist is generally someone who studies reptiles, publishes scientifically on them in peer reviewed journals, and obtains research grants and funding to pursue this work.

We are running an Animal Science degree at the University of Western Sydney. Whilst this course is mainly aimed at getting you into wildlife careers, many of the students who do well go on into mammal or herpetological research.

There are now 5 subjects contained within this degree program that contains aspects of reptiles. Not to mention our new reptile and mammal houses containing captives for teaching and research. (I will do a profile on this unit in the near future via the unit's head Dr Jason Flesch) maybe we can make it a sticky in this section.

We have students now doing PHD and Honours level research both with reptiles and mammals. We are a new unit that has considerable University financial backing to expand and improve particularly over the next 3 years. Like any research facility, you are only judged on research output. However this facility is dual purpose as this unit is used to teach captive reptile husbandry and management.

Students learn things such as writing SOP's for animal requirements all aspects of reptile needs and husbandry, as well as valuable hands on experience. As pictured in our Lace Monitor research thread, students can become involved as research volunteers, learning feild techniques for the future.

Good Luck in your aspirations, just giving you an option.