M.Sc Zoology Course, Admissions, Eligibility, Syllabus, Fees, Career

What is MSc Zoology?

Master of Science Zoology or MSc zoology is a two-year postgraduate degree programme that deals with the advanced concepts of zoology and its relevance to the human world. The degree programme focuses on the biology, structure, and behaviour of animals. Zoology is about the study of animals of all kinds and the MSc degree adheres to the scientific side of zoology and relevant research.

MSc or Master of Science is a degree that specifically adheres to science-related aspects of zoology. Candidates who wish to pursue an MSc in zoology must be well-versed in subjects such as biochemistry, animal biodiversity, cell and molecular biology, ecology, physiology, and environment management. These subjects are some of the most essential concepts building part of the zoology syllabus. After the completion of MSc zoology, candidates are offered various opportunities in terms of employment as well as education and research.

Highlights - MSc Zoology:

MSc Zoology Eligibility Criteria:

MSc zoology eligibility criteria are defined as the minimum set of parameters that have to be met by the students in order to be eligible for the admission process. Candidates who do not meet the criteria are disqualified from further participation in the admission process. Hence, candidates are advised to check the eligibility criteria for concerned colleges and courses beforehand. Some of the common eligibility criteria that must be followed by the students are mentioned below:

• Candidates must have completed their 10+2 with physics, chemistry, and biology as compulsory subjects.
• Candidates must have completed their bachelor’s degree in zoology or a related field, such as BSc zoology or BSc Biology with at least 50 per cent aggregate.
• Candidates must take the entrance exam as specified by the university. (if applicable).

MSc Zoology Admission Process:

The MSc zoology admission process is conducted on the basis of both merit and entrance exams. The admission process is more or less the same for every institute considering the basis is the same. Merit-based and Entrance-based admission process is conducted in online mode. Candidates are required to follow certain procedures which ensure their participation in the admission process.

• The MSc zoology admission process is conducted both online and offline.
• Candidates are required to visit the admissions website and check the eligibility criteria.
• Candidates who meet the eligibility criteria must apply for admission.
• In order to apply, candidates must download and fill out the application form with relevant details concerning personal information and academic qualifications details.
• After filling out the application form, candidates are required to submit a signed copy of the application form online along with the application fee.
• As soon as the admissions committee receives the applications from all candidates, the applications are assessed and a merit list is prepared on the basis of the student's previous academic scores or entrance scores. (whichever is applicable).

Top Entrance Examination:

Admission to MSc zoology is generally offered on the basis of the student’s previous academic records. However, there are a few colleges and universities that conduct their own entrance examinations for admission to MSc zoology degree programmes. Some of the popular entrance examinations for MSc zoology are mentioned below:

MSc Zoology Cutoff:

MSc zoology cutoff is released after the completion of the admission process. Universities and colleges release the branch-wise cutoff for all master's degree programmes. MSc zoology cutoff is known as the minimum marks that are to be attained by students for admission to a particular course of study or a particular college.
There are various determining factors involved in cutoffs such as the number of seats available in a college for a particular course, the difficulty level of the entrance examinations, and the number of prospective students.

MSc Zoology Skills Required:

MSc zoology is a degree programme that requires students who have a great interest in the field of animal biology. Candidates with observant mind and curiosity towards animals can choose to pursue an MSc in zoology. Other than this, there are certain qualities that an MSc zoology candidate must possess in order to make it big in the industry. Some of the most necessary skills that play an important role in forming a successful MSc zoology candidate are mentioned in the table below:

MSc Zoology Syllabus:

MSc Zoology syllabus is almost the same for every university and college. The syllabus is designed in a way that it caters to both academic and industrial aspects of zoology. The MSc degree ensures that the subjects are strictly related to science and research. Candidates can find the complete MSc zoology syllabus according to the semesters mentioned below:

MSc Zoology fee structure:

The average fee structure for MSc zoology is around Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 4 lakhs for the entire course. The fee structure is decided on the basis of facilities provided by the college. Scholarships also play a major role in determining the overall fee structure that students have to pay. Candidates with exceptional academic performance are exempted from tuition fees by various colleges while some prefer providing scholarships on the basis of both merit and the economic situation of the candidate.

Scope of MSc Zoology:

The Scope of MSc zoology is quite decent. After the completion of MSc zoology, candidates have various options from working as a professional to studying as a research student. The course has different levels of opportunities in terms of higher education. Some of the most popular higher studies options are mentioned below:

• Post Graduate Diploma: Post graduate diploma is one of the most popular courses in today's scenario. Candidates who wish to specialise in a particular field choose to pursue a post-graduate diploma since it provides a certain career path and direction to the students. Some of the most popular areas in zoology are animal behaviours and neurology, ecology and evolutionary biology, marine biology, genetics, biomedical science, and more.
• Ph.D: Candidates who wish to move towards the research side of zoology must consider pursuing a Ph.D since it offers great research opportunities and faculties that might help students dive deeper into the research area of zoology.

Career Options After Completing MSc Zoology:

The degree programme offers different types of career development options which can be easily accessed by students when looking for work opportunities. Some of the most popular career options when it comes to MSc zoology graduates are wildlife conservation, ecosystem monitoring, environment management, animal diversity prospecting, and more. Candidates also have the opportunity to work as zoologists in pharmaceutical companies. A research associate is also a popular career option among MSc zoology students. Apart from working in the industry, candidates can also choose to work as a lecturers or professors in colleges or universities.

Zoologist: A zoologist is a professional who is responsible for conducting research and studies on different animal species. A zoologist is responsible for studying the evolution, origin, behaviours, diseases, and life cycles of animals.

Lab Technician: A lab technician is a professional who is responsible for maintaining and organizing laboratory equipment. A lab technician also performs minute experiments involving technical knowledge.

Research Associate: A research associate is a professional who is responsible for conducting extensive research in the field of zoology involving certain specializations such as animal behaviour, animal reproduction, and animal genetics.

Zookeeper: A zookeeper is a professional who is responsible for taking care of and looking after the animals living in a zoo. A zookeeper is responsible for ensuring that all the rules are followed and guidelines are met by the visitors.

Top Recruiters:

• Amway
• Saraswati PU Science College
• Zealous Services
• SBA Enviro Systems
• Unico Global
• Stella Medical Foundation

Benefits of Studying MSc Zoology

There are several benefits and reasons why one should choose to pursue an MSc in zoology. MSC zoology is a degree programme whose curriculum involves different functions, forms, and behaviours of animal species which is used as an application to understand the biological principles of animals and derive result-proof observations. This degree programme is well structured and provides students with hands-on experience for understanding different concepts related to zoology and animal science.

Expected Salary After Completing MSc Zoology

The expected salary that one can get after completing an MSc in zoology is variable value and depends on the skills of an individual as well as the organisation. For freshers with less than 1 year of experience, the average salary is around Rs. 4 lakhs per annum. After gaining experience for about 3 years, the average total compensation increases up to as much as Rs 6 lakh to Rs. 8 lakhs per annum. The top-level salary for a candidate with a minimum of 5 years of experience is around Rs. 10 lakhs per annum.

Top MSc Zoology Colleges in India

There are various colleges offering MSc Zoology degree programmes in India with quality education and decent placements. Some of the top MSc zoology colleges in India are mentioned below:

Top Private MSc Zoology Colleges in India

Top private MSc zoology colleges in India are the ones that offer quality education and decent placement records. Private MSc zoology colleges are gaining popularity among students due to their industrial exposure. Some of the top private MSc zoology colleges in India are mentioned below:

Top Government MSc Zoology Colleges in India

MSc zoology government colleges are the most popular colleges in India and are generally the first choice among students due to their fees, quality of education, and placements. Some of the top government MSc zoology colleges in India are mentioned below:

Top MSc Zoology Colleges in the Top States:

There are various MSc zoology colleges in India and various states accommodate some of the most popular zoology degree colleges in top states. The list of top MSc zoology colleges in top states is mentioned in the table below: