Zoology Major or Minor

One of the only Christian universities that offers unique courses and training in zoology to prepare students for a career in animal studies.


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Quality Assurance

The zoology degree program at Olivet prepares students for success in their chosen careers. Employers note that ONU alumni enter the workplace with surprising amounts of experience not often seen in a recent graduate. Familiarity with animal care and zoological research makes ONU zoologists sought after employees, graduate students and veterinary students. Alumni continue to report about the excellent jobs offers and promotions and they receive.

Make Original Discoveries

Olivet students conduct high-quality research to discover new and exciting things about our world! Students have published peer reviewed articles with faculty in international journals on topics like tropical cloud forest frog range expansions and the effects of cattle and bison pasture on pollinators. Students may also get the chance to accompany faculty to our local and national scientific meetings and present their work!

Visit the Department of Biological Sciences

Zoology Turtle

Animal Care Teams

The ONU Animal Care Program provides students with critical experience in animal care. The community built around the program and the related ONU Animal Outreach Program results in fun and enduring relationships with other students and faculty mentors as students hone skills in animal handling, husbandry, diet preparation and habitat design and maintenance for over 60 native and exotic species. The diverse terrestrial and aquatic divisions, led by student leaders, allow students to gain years of exotic animal care experience.

Beyond enriching the zoology education, this experience has helped alumni stand out from the crowd when they apply to veterinary schools and clinics, zoos, aquariums and sanctuaries. Join us!

lizard belly
cleaning lizard tanks and feeding lizards
Animal Care Room
Zoology Program Study Abroad students in forest

Outside the Classroom

Recent Zoology student/faculty excursions include:

  • Arctic Field Biology course & research to the Arctic Circle, Alaska
  • Tropical Field Biology course & research to the cloud forests of Costa Rica
  • Exploring the world-renowned animal collections at the Field Museum
  • Field trips to the Lincoln Park Zoo
  • Behavioral study of 14,000 sandhill cranes at Jasper-Pulaski Fish & Wildlife Area, Indiana
  • Behavioral studies of wild bison at Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie
  • Summer research with faculty studying threatened and endangered red-headed woodpeckers, tropical forest frogs and grassland bumblebees
  • Small mammal studies for the Illinois DNR at Kankakee River State Park
  • Marine and Island Ecology course with the Shedd Aquarium to the Bahamas
  • 12+ summer courses at Au Sable Institute of Environmental Studies in northern Michigan and Washington State
Student on main campus wearing pink sweater and holding water bottle.

Where Your Future Begins

We Believe. You Belong Here. Discover why Olivet is a place where faith meets calling. Take the first step today.

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