Zoology (pronouncing "zo" as in "zone,") is a branch of biology that focuses on the study of animals. Within this branch, people may also specialize and study certain forms of animals. For example a person working in zoology might study fish biology and work as an ichthyologist. Alternately, a zoologist could specialize in the study of mammals and be called a mammalogist.

The discipline of zoology dates to the Ancient Greeks. In fact our primary system of classifying animals is largely based on Aristotle’s work, though he made numerous classification errors. Early zoologists who followed Aristotle include many unknown collectors of animals who attempted to understand animals, or who were merely fascinated by the animal kingdom.

Modern zoology arrived with the invention of the microscope, but it would be a mistake to leave out the extremely important contributions of Charles Darwin. With Darwin’s theory of evolution, understanding the relationship between humans and animals increased and further spurred interest in animals because humans were thought by some to have descended from them. As Darwin’s theory gained acceptance, humans became part of the animal kingdom in a way that was both inclusive and humbling.

Zoologists that followed Darwin often studied animals in relationship to humans. Knowledge of the possible relationships of animals changed some classifications, and studies in zoology continue to refine animal classifications. The more zoologists learn about animals, the more diverse and complex the field of zoology becomes.

Since specializations within zoology are so diverse, it’s somewhat difficult to describe exactly what a zoologist does. This can vary a great deal. Most zoology students in Bachelor of Science programs study biology, chemistry, ecology, microbiology, cell biology, and other fields that will help them to specialize.

Some zoologists become so only through graduate work. They may hold a Bachelor’s degree in a branch of science like chemistry or biology, and then pursue Master’s or Ph.D. level work in zoology. Other university programs offer Bachelor’s degrees in zoology.

The field of zoology is a large one, with numerous specialists and numerous disciplines attached to it. Zoology scientists might study all animals, and branch out into ecological studies, or they may evaluate the chemistry of certain animals. Some zoologists devote their work to the study of one animal only, while other zoology scientists evaluate the lives of long extinct animal populations in the field called paleozoology.

A paleozoologist might study with paleontologists, paleobotanists, and may include physical anthropology in their studies. Anthrozoologists study both cultural and physical anthropology since they principally study interactions between animals and people. One interesting branch of zoology is cryptozoology, which evaluates and attempts to classify animals only rumored to exist, like the Loch Ness monster or the Yeti. Cryptozoologists might also do field studies if an animal thought previously extinct is re-discovered.

Zoology is certainly an important field, enhancing our understanding of the world in which we live. For the zoologist, there are numerous working opportunities, though some may not be particularly lucrative financially. Zoologists may contribute their studies to animal behaviorists, work in zoos, study animals in the wild, participate in archaeological digs, apply their knowledge to improve raising of animals for food, be part of cloning experiments, or work primarily in labs analyzing the cell biology of animals. This large disciple, covering a variety of subfields, also may act as accessory to many related branches of science.