Aquarium & Zoo Science, Bachelor of Arts

Introduction

Aquarium & Zoo Science Degree from Saint Francis University

Turn your passion for animals into a fulfilling career.

The Aquarium and Zoo Science major is a B.A. degree program with a heavy emphasis on biology, animal husbandry, and psychology. Hands-on coursework includes animal care, animal nutrition, vertebrate zoology, invertebrate zoology, microbiology, genetics, and marine biology.  

In this program, you will gain practical experience geared to what employers in this industry need.

• hands-on courses with animal care projects on and off-campus

• dedicated animal care practicum experience and a tailored internship

• career-enhancing student clubs that align with your goals   

Offered: On-Campus

Hands-on Experience

Our 1,500-gallon aquarium is large enough for a single diver to enter, and students are involved in the operation of the large-scale filtration system needed to maintain it. Access to materials in the on-campus marine lab allows students to do discipline-specific research.

Practicum & Internships

A 52-hour Animal Care Practicum working in an animal care facility prepares students for their main internship where they find a facility of interest to spend a 240-hour internship, usually over summer break. These experiences build students' repertoire of animal care and husbandry skills while enhancing employment prospects through the connections they make.

Professional Affiliations

• Saint Francis University is the official Conservation Partner of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA)
• Saint Francis University is an Academic Support Organization for the Association of Minority Zoo & Aquarium Professionals (AMZAP) 

Clubs & Honor Society Involvement

SCUBA: Students learn to scuba dive or continue to build diving skills while exploring the fascinating underwater world (invaluable experience for those pursuing employment in aquariums after graduation).

Environmental Action Society: This organization promotes environmental education and outreach to the students, faculty, and staff of Saint Francis University as well as to the community at large. Members also have fun in the environment while preserving it!

Biology Club: This club is designed to help students prepare for their future in the sciences as well as to offer opportunities to participate in fellowship and networking activities. 

TriBeta Biological Honor Society: Saint Francis is home to the Upsilon Beta Chapter of Beta Beta Beta, the National Biological Honor Society. Numerous student members have received research scholarship grants from the TriBeta national office and presented their research at the District Convention. 

The best way to explore what the student experience really looks like is to schedule a visit

We would love to meet you and discuss your career goals!

Career Outlook in Aquarium and Zoo Science

Career opportunities exist within nature centers, wildlife rehabilitation centers, aquariums, and zoos. Students can also seek employment with whale watch groups and other types of non-profit activities where animal knowledge and presentation abilities are valued.

Animal care and service workers are in high demand. The  Occupational Outlook Handbook (from the Bureau of Labor Statistics) projects that demand for these jobs will grow by 34% from 2020-2030, much faster than average for all occupations. About 66,200 openings for animal care and service workers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. 

Animal Caretakers 

The median annual wage for animal caretakers was $26,080 in May 2020. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $19,310, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $40,210.

Animal Trainers

The median annual wage for animal trainers was $31,520 in May 2020. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $21,550, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $62,040.