Re: becoming a herpetologist

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Posted by Philip Bergmann on February 01, 2000 at 19:16:30:

In Reply to: becoming a herpetologist posted by vera lynn on February 01, 2000 at 12:17:38:

I can't tell you which schools in the US offer herpetology because I'm a Canadian, but I would suggest not majoring in herpetology for your undergrad. I say this because it is a relatively narrow field with few jobs. It is better to specialise in some sort of broad theoretical area, and then tilt towards herpetology, with classes that look at herps as some options. For example, I did a double major in ecology and zoology for my B.Sc. This gives me a firm basis in zoological investigation and methodology, evolutionary and ecological theory and practice, and statistics. Now I can address a wide range of problems, even though my passion is herpetology. More and more in today's scientific world, one has take a holistic approach, better known as multidisciplinary. Chances are that fields like geology, mathematics, statistics, chemistry, and others will come in very useful for problems you will want to investigate. Then, for a Master's of Ph.D., it is better to narrow your interest down into herpetology.
Philip.

: Someone stated on another forum that there is only ONE college in the US where you can major in herpetology, but they didn't say which one. Is this true? Can't be... I was told that I could major in it at UMass Amherst, but I chose a different school because that one is too big. I am currently majoring in environmental science, and I am trying to take the courses that I think (hope) will someday help me as a herpetologist. Does anyone have suggestions as to what sort of classes to take and what to do when I graduate in order to persue herpetology? (Sorry if my thought aren't really that organized today, you know college, I haven't been getting much sleep!)

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thanks for your help (np) vera lynn 02/01/00 (0)

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: I can't tell you which schools in the US offer herpetology because I'm a Canadian, but I would suggest not majoring in herpetology for your undergrad. I say this because it is a relatively narrow field with few jobs. It is better to specialise in some sort of broad theoretical area, and then tilt towards herpetology, with classes that look at herps as some options. For example, I did a double major in ecology and zoology for my B.Sc. This gives me a firm basis in zoological investigation and methodology, evolutionary and ecological theory and practice, and statistics. Now I can address a wide range of problems, even though my passion is herpetology. More and more in today's scientific world, one has take a holistic approach, better known as multidisciplinary. Chances are that fields like geology, mathematics, statistics, chemistry, and others will come in very useful for problems you will want to investigate. Then, for a Master's of Ph.D., it is better to narrow your interest down into herpetology. : Philip. : : : Someone stated on another forum that there is only ONE college in the US where you can major in herpetology, but they didn't say which one. Is this true? Can't be... I was told that I could major in it at UMass Amherst, but I chose a different school because that one is too big. I am currently majoring in environmental science, and I am trying to take the courses that I think (hope) will someday help me as a herpetologist. Does anyone have suggestions as to what sort of classes to take and what to do when I graduate in order to persue herpetology? (Sorry if my thought aren't really that organized today, you know college, I haven't been getting much sleep!)

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