Curriculum

Gain scientific training in the major areas of the life sciences including genetics and cell biology, physiology, ecology and evolution, and conservation biology through a collection of challenging online courses. A wide range of electives allows you to explore a variety of topics in animal biology, including a diversity of vertebrate and invertebrate animals from marine, freshwater and terrestrial environments.

Through rigorous and relevant coursework, you’ll gain a comprehensive understanding of the relationships between, and challenges of, biological issues and society.

(Note: The zoology major is not suitable for students in pre-veterinary medicine, pre-medical, pre-dental, pre-pharmacy and some other health profession fields, as it does not include some key prerequisite coursework for those disciplines. Additionally, you are unable to dual or double-major in biohealth sciences or fisheries and wildlife sciences while pursuing a zoology degree.)

Degree requirements

A minimum of 180 quarter credits are required to graduate with your degree in zoology, including:

• OSU's Baccalaureate Core (general education)
• Major requirements: Zoology

Honors degree online

As an undergraduate degree-seeking student, you can apply to earn an honors degree online in your academic major. Earning this prestigious degree gives you the opportunity to collaborate with faculty on research, complete a comprehensive thesis experience and engage in co-curricular activities.

Sample course topics

• Invertebrate and vertebrate biology
• Animal behavior
• Marine biology and ecology
• Evolution
• Population biology
• Environmental physiology
• Biology and conservation of marine mammals
• Herpetology
• Aquatic entomology

Biology and chemistry requirements

As a zoology major, you must complete a sequence of three introductory biology courses with a C- or better grade to continue on to upper-division biology and zoology coursework. You must also complete a general chemistry series and CH 331 – Organic Chemistry with a C- or better in each course.

Study in summer on the Oregon coast

You have the option to enroll in marine biology and other marine science summer courses offered at OSU’s Hatfield Marine Science Center in Newport, Oregon. These summer courses can be fully integrated with your zoology degree requirements. There are also summer research opportunities at HMSC that can be used to further your experience.

Transfer credits

Some degree requirements may be transferred from other institutions. Please note that a minimum of 45 credits of the last 75 credits in this degree program must be completed at Oregon State (online or on campus) to meet the academic residency requirement.

Previously earned credits will need to be reviewed upon admittance to OSU for appropriate articulation. Additional information about transferring credits is available through OSU’s Transfer Credit Central.

Add a minor

As an Oregon State Ecampus student, you can add a minor to your degree program. OSU boasts a diverse offering of minors online, giving you a great way to enhance your studies and gain a competitive advantage in the job market.

(Note: The biology minor is not available to zoology students as it is too similar to the zoology major.)