Herpetology/Zoology

[DragonKeeper]

Well I think I would like to be a Herpetologist, I did some research and found out that Herpetology is a branch of Zoology, problem is there is no Universities in my city, So I am looking at Distance Education (University Online) and I can do a short course in Zoology for $682 It seems great they have a free video library that they will send all over the world and a book shop for $682, I was thinking it would be about $6000 but because it is not a Bachelor Degree but a short course,

This is what you do in the course:
Visit a Zoo, Wildlife Park or even a Pet Shop. Observe the range of animals present and report on them.
Visit an aquarium supply shop, marine park, fish retailer, or other facility where you can observe fish. If your mobility is restricted or you are unable to locate such a facility, look at the web site of an aquarium, and see what diversity of animals is to be seen on that web site. Identify animals from different orders and report on them.
Research the anatomical characteristics of one species of fish
Investigate the biological characteristics of one species of amphibian
Investigate the biological characteristics of one species of reptile
Research the biological characteristics of one species of bird
Observe the behaviour of a bird or birds for 1 hour (in the wild, or captivity). Take notes
Investigate the biological characteristics of one species of mammal.
Research a particular family or genus of marsupial.
Visit either a pet shop or zoo and observe any animals from the Glires or Insectivora that you find there.
Observe a dog closely. Take note of its external features in the light of the things you have learned in this lesson. Notice the shape of the head, body and legs, the characteristics of the feet, etc. Make notes on your observations. Compile a scientific description of the anatomy of the dog you observed. Where possible, use technical terminology that you have learned during your course.
Visit a farm, pet shop or zoo and observe any animals belonging to the grandorder Ungulata that you find there. Make a list of these animals.

• Research an order, family, genus or species of hooved Mammal (Ungulata).

Try to find out about the characteristics of your chosen group
Try to observe some monkeys and/or apes. You might do this by visiting a zoo, watching a video or looking on the Internet. Make notes of any similarities and dissimilarities you observe between these animals and humans. Research their physical and behavioural characteristics with a view to comparing these with human characteristics


I have a question, do you still get a degree or qualifications for a Short Course?

I was planning for my future but because it is distance education and it is only 100 hours if there is no age limit I may be able to do it now.

Just thought I would tell you.

[waruikazi]

No you wont get a degree all you are likely to get is a certificate or a diploma in that feild. Be very careful about doing these kinds of internet based qualifications. Often they are not recognised qualifications, which means they mean absolutley nothing. Who is it through?

[DragonKeeper]

ACS Distance Education, It seems very reliable, I don't even care if it is not classified as a qualification, at-least I will learn more and have the skills.

Do you know if there is an age limit on Distance Education?

[waruikazi]

How old are you mate? If i were you i would enrol as an external student in a regional university instead and study it that way.

[bunnykin]

I think its 14 years old mate but maybe 15 it should say on the website ussually under "studying with us " or about us .

[DragonKeeper]

Only in year 10, I thought it would be good to learn some extra stuff on the side, and it is only 100 hours spread across 12 months, so it wont interfere with my regular schooling, thanks.

[junglepython2]

IMO you would be better off putting the money into some decent textbooks if you are really keen. You can still do all the research and observations you mentioned without enrolling in the course.

[Jason]

if your doing it while at school, i think it may be a good idea! in my personal opinion it seems very basic (which is good considering your only in yr 10), because of this it may help you persue a caree in zoo keeping but not really zoology! if you want to do zoology its a uni degree and its a science course so its very full on!! at the end of the day there arent many jobs in the zoology field (comparative to many other biological fields) so if you want to get somewhere you would rally want to be at the top of your degree!
at your age the more hands on the better and something like this on a resume would show your hard work and interest in the field!!

as said look into it VERY carefully!!! imo get in contact with people who have done it!!

[nuthn2do]

Go for it but get someone decipher the fine print. These places hit you up for text books, software, exam fees and just about anything else they can find. The $682 may well end up 3 times that.

[DragonKeeper]

Thanks everyone, I will try to enroll within the next 6 months, I think it would be great on a resume.

[Hix]

If you really want to go down that line, look at the external undergraduate courses offered by Universities such as Macquarie Uni, UNi of New England, ANU and Charles Sturt (there will be others, but I'm not familiar with what the other unis offer).

And as far as I know, there's no Insectivora on display in any zoo in Australia.



Hix

[noidea]

hey i am currently doing the animal care course with thomson education and it is really good you get dvd's rescource books etc and you also get to do work experience at a vet would be a good foot up if your interested it is only a certificate course but you also do some recognised vet nurse modules and being year 10 you'd know you need to study physics and biology next year and then come gr12 get a op 2 or above to get into your chosen field my cousin is a herpotologist and has just gone back to study her phd pm me if you like i can put you in touch with her if you'd like some in depth info
well good luck

[lozza]

I'm in my 6th and final year of B Science (Zoology) at Uni of New England.
If you're interested in a career in herpetology (as I am) I would recommend taking Physics, Chemistry and Biology in years 11&12 and then enrolling in an undergraduate degree at uni.
It is a fairly competitive field so the better your qualifications, the more chance of success. Thats why most people do Honours and a PhD.

You also need to invest in a lot of scientific type Reptile books as the wider your reading the more you know

good luck with it and be careful as many courses dont offer any formally recognised qualification and are usually a waste of money

[JJS.]

Not just Physics and Biology, dont forget Chemistry. Should be nailing maths too. If you want to do Zoology, animal science, etc, you need to be pretty fluent at the above subjects, as this is what the course mainly involves. Don't know about that internet course, that money could be well spent on other things (literature, etc for your interest) and not too sure if it's very accredited too. Even if so, doesn't necessarily mean it will give you an advantage over others in finding a job, etc. If your interested in the more hands on, you can do a two year tafe course in animal husbandry. Otherwise if your more into the science side of things, go a uni course. Animal science with a major in zoology (or whatever you want) Some jobs in the animal industry require a uni course or you won't even get an interview, likewise with some jobs requiring a minimum of a tafe course. Any other jobs that don't require one of these, will not require you to have anything (i.e. someone who has done an internet course won't recessarily get the job over someone that has done no formal course, if this second person has the knowledge) I think it is a great idea and shows motivation, willingness to learn, etc. I just think there are better ways to go about it. Good luck. Need any help, feel free to pm. Cheers

[DragonKeeper]

Bugger! I would love to do Herpetology but I don't think I can do Physics Chemistry or Biology in next year as I chose Agricultural science this year instead of General or Advanced science. I will try my hardest to persuade my teachers though.

Does it really take 6 years? Wow thats a lot, lol. How much does B Science cost?