Aquarium and Zoo Science, B.A.

Department Contact:

Chair: Dr. Justin Merry, jmerry@francis.edu, 814-471-1105
Coordinators: Dr. Gail Drus, gdrus@francis.edu, 814-471-1267; Ms. Shelley Kirkpatrick, skirkpatrick@francis.edu, 814-472-3179

Program Description:

The Aquarium and Zoo Science, B.A. degree is specifically built to prepared students for careers in aquariums and zoos upon completion. The students will complete a broad survey of biology the first year and then build upon this by completing courses in animal care, animal nutrition, vertebrate zoology, invertebrate zoology, microbiology, genetics, and marine biology. Skills will be developed by students while completing their animal care practicum and internships along with laboratory exercises. Students will have the opportunity to develop presentation skills both in front of and inside a large aquarium, presenting information to school children and visitors to the biology department.

Student Learning Outcomes:

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

Employ the scientific method, including the use of discipline-specific techniques, to discover and validate biological knowledge;
Demonstrate scientific literacy through reading, writing, presenting, and discussing research;
Demonstrate knowledge of how atoms and molecules interact to permit the function of living systems, and how cells sense, control, and respond to stimuli in their environments;
Demonstrate knowledge of molecular genetics and how this leads to the expression and inheritance of traits;
Explain how organisms reproduce and develop, how their anatomical structure permits function, how they maintain internal conditions, and how they sense and respond to external stimuli, across the full range of biological diversity;
Describe how evolution by natural selection explains the unity and diversity of life on earth, and articulate how organisms interact at the population, community, and ecosystem levels.

Estimated Completion Time:

Typically 4 years of full-time study

Capstone Requirement:

The senior capstone requirement is completed by taking BIOL 402 Evolution.

Total Credits Required:

128 credits

Courses Required for the Major: (77-78 credits)

Major Requirements in Biology:

Organismal Biology Electives:

Eight credits (2 courses) from the following:

Aquarium or Zoo Internships:

Six credits from the following:

Collateral Requirements: 27 credits

Statistics Elective:

One course from the following:

Psychology Minor:

Plus five additional courses from Psychology to complete requirements for a Psychological Science minor (15 credits).