Mammalogist: Job Description and Education Requirements
Learn about the education and preparation needed to become a mammalogist. Get a quick view of the requirements as well as details about degree programs, job duties and the career outlook to find out if this is the career for you.
Mammalogists are biological scientists who study mammals. They typically work in museums, zoos and government agencies. Education requirements include a bachelor's degree with a biology focus. Entry into some research or teaching positions generally requires completing graduate studies in a specialized area of zoology, wildlife management or environmental studies.
|Required Education||Bachelor's degree at minimum; graduate degree for research or teaching|
|Job Growth (2012-2022)*||5% for all zoologists and wildlife biologists|
|Median Salary (2013)*||$57,430 for all zoologists and wildlife biologists|
Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Mammalogist Job Description
Mammalogists, sometimes called zoologists or wildlife biologists, are biological scientists that study mammal population management, taxonomy, evolutionary history, behavior, anatomy and physiology. These professionals also look at how mammals interact with their environment.
Mammalogists' job duties include helping manage wild game species like rabbits, deer and birds. Mammalogists may also be responsible for controlling rodent populations and ensuring that they don't harm agricultural crops. Other duties include protecting wildlife habitats and preventing wildlife diseases from spreading to humans and domestic animal species.
According to the American Society of Mammalogists (ASM), mammalogists may find employment at zoos, museums, private game preservations, veterinary offices, universities and academic institutions (www.mammalsociety.org). They may also work for various state and federal game departments like U.S. National Park Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) states that 34% of zoologists and wildlife biologists, a category that includes mammalogists, worked in federal, state and local government agencies as of 2012 (www.bls.gov). The BLS also reported that employment of zoologists and wildlife biologists was expected to rise 5% from 2012-2022. This rise is in part due to population growth and the increasing need to study human impact on wildlife and their habitats. As of May 2013, the BLS reported a median annual salary of $57,430 for zoologists and wildlife biologists.
Mammalogists typically begin their undergraduate studies by majoring in zoology, biology, ecology or similar fields. Undergraduate classes in these majors focus on genetics, anatomy, biology, ecology, botany, environment and evolution of human and animal species. Students also enroll in lab courses allowing them to gain hands-on experience with lab equipment, observe chemical reactions and study mammal biochemistry.
After achieving bachelor's degrees, mammalogists may pursue their studies further by earning a master's or doctoral degree in a specialized field like zoology, wildlife management or environmental science. These programs may offer students the opportunity to take coursework geared towards mammalian physiology, toxicology and other subjects. Students may be required to complete independent studies on topics in marine biology, mammal behavior and molecular ecology. Some academic institutions are affiliated with museums or zoos where students may participate in valuable field studies and work experiences.
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