Anyone got a Zoology degree?

[Zak]

Originally Posted by GlasgowGecko

I actually think a better question to ask is: Who doesn't have a Zoology degree. Honestly the number of people appling for, and getting degrees in Zoology is going through the roof right now, which makes progression even more difficult.

My advice for anyone wanting to go on into a more research focus position is to avoid zoology, and move more towards molecular biology or genetics (in one of its various forms). This way you will be able to answer questions that zoologists, with a very generic background, cannot.

Andy

I agree, definitely a huge rise in applications for the 'green' side of biology, but equally you can ask: Who doesnt have a degree? Degrees are ten a penny, its what you do after or you've got to show along side your degree that counts.

It would be equally frustarting to study genetics and then realise theres no funding in the research you want to do. Companies only want to invest when theres something to achieve at the end ie new drug, better understanding of disease. I doubt theres much money being pumped into genetic studies of reptiles.

[GlasgowGecko]

Originally Posted by Zak

I agree, definitely a huge rise in applications for the 'green' side of biology, but equally you can ask: Who doesnt have a degree? Degrees are ten a penny, its what you do after or you've got to show along side your degree that counts.

It would be equally frustarting to study genetics and then realise theres no funding in the research you want to do. Companies only want to invest when theres something to achieve at the end ie new drug, better understanding of disease. I doubt theres much money being pumped into genetic studies of reptiles.

Quite the contrary in fact. With the increase in public awareness of Chitrid fungus and associated diseases, linked with the fact that many reptiles and amphibian species are currently considered environmental indicator species means that there is money available from various funding bodies, for a whole host of projects including population genetics, and 'biochemical' type studies. I think what you have to realise is that there is very little industrial money for biological science. The vast majority of money comes from funding bodies such as NERC, BBSRC, Wellcome trust etc... and as such there is theoretically NO bias as to where the money goes it is awarded on the projects merit. Money for behavioural type zoology is quite low at the moment, because the techniques are simply not competing for money with more 'sexy' scientific research.

Andy

[Lucky Eddie]

Originally Posted by GlasgowGecko

Money for behavioural type zoology is quite low at the moment, because the techniques are simply not competing for money with more 'sexy' scientific research.

Andy

Same was true in the last recession 30 years ago. That's why I went into packaging to pay the bills.

Trouble is interviewers think zoology = zoo keeper, and that was the only other likely source of income.

Unfortunately ecological and behavioural research does not pay the bills unless you are lucky enough to win huge TV coverage.

I hate Attenborough.