The Vertebrate Zoology track is tailored specifically for those ECCB students with a deep interest in vertebrates, their diversity, ecology, and conservation and/or are interested in pursuing veterinary school. This track capitalizes on the collective experience of ECCB faculty in the areas of vertebrate ecology, evolution, genetics, anatomy, physiology, and behavior to provide a comprehensive understanding of vertebrate biology and ecology. In addition to core courses in ecology and conservation, ECCB students in the Vertebrate Zoology track complete coursework in vertebrate ecology, diversity, and evolution, and enroll in national or international field courses that focus on vertebrates, including their collection and identification. This is a flexible track that permits the inclusion of courses specifically required by graduate programs as well as schools of veterinary medicine. Students on this track may use free electives to personalize or broaden their experience to meet certification requirements for vertebrate-focused professional societies (e.g., American Fisheries Society and The Wildlife Society). The Vertebrate Zoology track satisfies all prerequisite requirements for veterinary school.
Program Details
- Degree: B.S. Ecology and Conservation Biology
- Credit Hours: 120 total credit hours
Career Options
The Vertebrate Zoology track capitalizes on the collective experience of ECCB faculty in the areas of vertebrate ecology, evolution, genetics, anatomy, physiology, and behavior to provide a comprehensive understanding of vertebrate biology and ecology that will prepare students for vet school professional studies, as well as careers within government and non-government agencies associated with the conservation and management of vertebrates.
Other Opportunities
In addition to supporting pre-veterinary (Pre-Vet) students, we welcome those interested in pre-dentistry, pre-medical, pre-nursing, pre-pharmacy, and pre-physician assistant programs. Our department offers unique pathways to prepare for these professional schools while gaining expertise in ecology and conservation biology. Many of the required courses for these programs are already included in the Vertebrate Zoology Track, and we are currently updating the curriculum to better integrate these options.
Below are examples of courses that can be substituted into major electives. For guidance, please consult Professional School Advising (https://opsa.tamu.edu/) before committing to a professional school pathway.
Examples of Courses for Pre-Medical School and Pre-Dentistry
| Course Number | Course Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| COMM 2031 | Public Speaking | 3 |
| CHEM 120¹ | Fundamentals of Chemistry II | 4 |
| BICH 409² or BICH 410² | Principles of Biochemistry or Comprehensive Biochemistry I | 3 |
| GENE 301³ or GENE 320³ or BIMS 320³ | Comprehensive Genetics or Biomedical Genetics or Biomedical Genetics | 3 |
| VTPB 405⁴ or BIOL 351⁴ or BIOL 206⁴ | Biomedical Microbiology or Fundamentals of Microbiology or Introductory Microbiology | 4 |
| CHEM 257 | Organic Chemistry 1 | 4 |
| CHEM 258 | Organic Chemistry 2 | 4 |
| PHYS 201 | College Physics | 4 |
| PHYS 202 | College Physics | 4 |
| BIOL 319 | Integrated Human Anatomy and Physiology I | 4 |
| BIOL 320 | Integrated Human Anatomy and Physiology II | 4 |
Footnotes:
- The course is taken under the University Core requirement.
- Biochemistry (BICH 409 or BICH 410) is substituted for CHEM 222.
- Genetics (GENE 301, GENE 320, or BIMS 320) is substituted for ECCB 400.
- Microbiology (VTPB 405, BIOL 351, or BIOL 206) is taken under Ecological Concepts: Individual Function.
Examples of Courses for Pre-Nursing Program
| Course Number | Course Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| COMM 2031 | Public Speaking | 3 |
| VTPB 405 or BIOL 351 or BIOL 206 | Biomedical Microbiology, or Fundamentals of Microbiology, or Introductory Microbiology | 4 |
| NUTR 202 | Fundamentals of Human Nutrition | 3 |
| PHYL 111 or PHYL 251 | Introductory Physiology or Human Anatomy and Physiology | 4 |
| PBSI 107 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| PBSI 225 | Lifespan Developmental Psychology | 3 |
| BIOL 319 | Integrated Human Anatomy and Physiology I | 4 |
| BIOL 320 | Integrated Human Anatomy and Physiology II | 4 |
Footnote:
- The course is taken under the University Core requirement.
Examples of Courses for Pre-Pharmacy Program
| Course Number | Course Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| COMM 2031 | Public Speaking | 3 |
| MATH 1471 or MATH 1711 or MATH 1511 | Calculus I for Biological Sciences or Engineering Mathematics I or Engineering Mathematics I | 4 |
| CHEM 120¹ | Fundamentals of Chemistry II | 4 |
| VTPB 405² or BIOL 351² or BIOL 206² | Biomedical Microbiology, or Fundamentals of Microbiology, or Introductory Microbiology | 4 |
| CHEM 257 and CHEM 258 | Organic Chemistry | 4 each |
| GENE 301 or GENE 320 or BIMS 320 | Comprehensive Genetics or Biomedical Genetics | 3 |
| PHYS 201 | College Physics | 4 |
| BIOL 319 | Integrated Human Anatomy and Physiology I | 4 |
Footnotes:
- The course is taken under the University Core requirement.
- Microbiology (VTPB 405, BIOL 351, or BIOL 206) is required for Pre-Pharmacy.
- Calculus (MATH 147, MATH 171, or MATH 151) is taken under the University Core require
Example of Courses for Pre-Physician Assistant Program
| Course Number | Course Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| COMM 2031 | Public Speaking | 3 |
| CHEM 120¹ | Fundamentals of Chemistry II | 4 |
| VTPB 405⁴ or BIOL 351⁴ or BIOL 206⁴ | Biomedical Microbiology, or Fundamentals of Microbiology, or Introductory Microbiology | 4 |
| BICH 409² or BICH 410² | Principles of Biochemistry or Comprehensive Biochemistry I | 3 |
| GENE 301³ or GENE 320³ or BIMS 320³ | Comprehensive Genetics or Biomedical Genetics | 3 |
| PBSI 107 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| PBSI 225 | Lifespan Developmental Psychology | 3 |
| BIOL 319 | Integrated Human Anatomy and Physiology I | 4 |
| BIOL 320 | Integrated Human Anatomy and Physiology II | 4 |
| HLTH 354 | Medical Terminology | 3 |
Footnotes:
- The course is taken under the University Core requirement.
- Biochemistry (BICH 409 or BICH 410) is substituted for CHEM 222.
- Genetics (GENE 301, GENE 320, or BIMS 320) is substituted for ECCB 400.
- Microbiology (VTPB 405, BIOL 351, or BIOL 206) is taken under Ecological Concepts: Individual Function.
Contact Us
Email [email protected] or contact one of our advising team members.
