3 answers
Anna
Student
Surprise, Arizona
3
Questions
Updated
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Is Taxas A & M University a good college for biology? Is University of Massachusetts--Amherst a better option for biology?
I am a 6th grader trying to seek out the best college in the United States of America for biology. Ever since I was about 6 years old I have loved the idea of working with animals and their habitats. I was constantly distracted by birds, lizards, and many other creatures up until the age of 10. I have now since learned to control where my focus is but I still love the idea.
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3 answers
Steward "Tony" Pacheco
Minister, USMC Vet, John C. Maxwell Cert. Coach, Trainer, Speaker, Teacher, Straight Shooter
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Kyle, Texas
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Steward "Tony"’s Answer
Texas AM is an awesome school! many of the people I have associated with who are Aggies are the coolest and pretty smart. As a NYC kid myself, I appreciate their genuine respect for the fields they are settled in.
Thank you for sharing your perspective.
Anna
Karin P.
Lecturer, Academic Advisor, Career Coach
1085
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Göttingen, Lower Saxony, Germany
Updated
Karin’s Answer
Hi Anna,
It is great that you love animals and have an interest in nature. Biology is a great major as a basis for a broad range of careers, but there are many other majors related to "working with animals" that might be a fit for you too. To find the best fit for you, consider the kind of animals you want to work with (e.g. wild vs domestic), in what capacity you want to work with animals (e.g. veterinarian vs zoo keeper or wildlife conservationist) and how far you want to go in your education (e.g. bachelors or graduate degree).
Since you are in 6th grade, you don't need to know exactly what you want to major in or which university you want to attend. At this stage, you should rather check out different careers and degree options that have to do with animals. Here is a selection for you: animal science, biology, zoology, marine biology, veterinary science (graduate degree) or veterinary technology, equine studies, wildlife and conservation biology, animal behavior or oceanography. Animal or wildlife photography would be another option to consider.
Look for opportunities to volunteer or get some work experience in your area. You could volunteer for an animal rescue or sanctuary, help out on a farm or in a wildlife park, or volunteer at a zoo or aquarium. Some places will only let you volunteer if you are at least 16 or even 18 or accompanied by a guardian. But some places might also have teen programs.
Here are a few options:
https://www.teenlife.com/blog/stem-majors-work-animals/
https://www.handsonphoenix.org/family-and-youth
https://www.farmangelssanctuary.org/
https://www.azhumane.org/become-a-volunteer/
https://www.phoenixzoo.org/
Look for professionals in animal-related careers, like veterinarians, veterinary technicians, dog trainers, dog groomers, horse trainers, park rangers, zoo keepers etc. Also check out university websites and explore different degrees and the careers they can lead to.
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP
https://www.arizona.edu/colleges-schools
https://degrees.apps.asu.edu/bachelors?init=false&nopassive=true
It is great that you love animals and have an interest in nature. Biology is a great major as a basis for a broad range of careers, but there are many other majors related to "working with animals" that might be a fit for you too. To find the best fit for you, consider the kind of animals you want to work with (e.g. wild vs domestic), in what capacity you want to work with animals (e.g. veterinarian vs zoo keeper or wildlife conservationist) and how far you want to go in your education (e.g. bachelors or graduate degree).
Since you are in 6th grade, you don't need to know exactly what you want to major in or which university you want to attend. At this stage, you should rather check out different careers and degree options that have to do with animals. Here is a selection for you: animal science, biology, zoology, marine biology, veterinary science (graduate degree) or veterinary technology, equine studies, wildlife and conservation biology, animal behavior or oceanography. Animal or wildlife photography would be another option to consider.
Look for opportunities to volunteer or get some work experience in your area. You could volunteer for an animal rescue or sanctuary, help out on a farm or in a wildlife park, or volunteer at a zoo or aquarium. Some places will only let you volunteer if you are at least 16 or even 18 or accompanied by a guardian. But some places might also have teen programs.
Here are a few options:
https://www.teenlife.com/blog/stem-majors-work-animals/
https://www.handsonphoenix.org/family-and-youth
https://www.farmangelssanctuary.org/
https://www.azhumane.org/become-a-volunteer/
https://www.phoenixzoo.org/
Look for professionals in animal-related careers, like veterinarians, veterinary technicians, dog trainers, dog groomers, horse trainers, park rangers, zoo keepers etc. Also check out university websites and explore different degrees and the careers they can lead to.
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP
Karin recommends the following next steps:
Michelle M.
Actress
3276
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Anna !
I agree with Advisor Steward "Tony" Pacheco because a friend of mine went to Texas A and M for Landscape Architecture and she's had a great career !
What you'll need to look at are the Programs for Animal Science (if they are offered) at both Texas A and M and the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.
Texas A and M University offers a comprehensive program in Animal Science through its Department of Animal Science within the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. They offer the Bachelors, Masters and Doctorate Degrees in Animal Science, so Texas A and M is a possibility.
University of Massachusetts, Amherst also offers a program for Animal Science, but as far as I know, only for a Bachelors Degree. They also have a Pre-Veterinary Program. Contact them directly to find out if they offer a Masters and Doctorate Program in Animal Science.
To figure this out, you would have to know which career involving animals you want to have. If you know the actual career, you can then prepare efficiently for it by choosing the right Major for the degree(s) and the college that offers it. Both colleges are overall wonderful institutions, however, you need to match a program up with a career. You certainly have a lot of time to do this. A path for what you've mentioned, Biology, is going to be focused on Human Biology, not Animal Science which would be the subject that you'd need to work with animals.
It's perfectly okay (and fun) to be involved with animals and you don't need to give it up. The more you explore, the more knowledge you gain. Be around animals as much as you can. See if you can volunteer at a nearby ranch, farm or animal shelter or Zoo. Think about exactly what you want to do with Animals - being a Veterinarian, veterinary technician, and laboratory animal caretaker, research and development, positions like animal scientist, research biologist, animal nutritionist, geneticist, and reproductive scientist. These would all require being an Animal Science Major, not a Biology Major.
In addition, my advice is to explore more Universities that offer the Animal Science program for your specific career goal. Think about colleges in your state of Arizona, too. Animal Science programs are offered at The University of Arizona and at Arizona State University. You can plan some day to take a tour of these colleges and see if you can go for an oreintation even if you are in Middle School.
It's nice to know that you were first inspired at the age of 6 to want a career involving animals. I was also 6 years old when I was inspired for a future career. The advice I can give you is be involved. Join any groups or clubs that have to do with animals and do volunteer work now. When you turn 14, connect with The Arizona Humane Society because they offer several programs for teens in Surprise, AZ, focused on animal welfare and related careers. The Humane Teens program is a competitive youth leadership initiative for teens aged 14 to 17. Try not to sit idle with the work that you love like I did till I was 18 and in college. I wasn't in the environment nor did I know anyone who was an actor so I just let it lay dormant till I went to college. You'll have a special edge in college if you keep active now till you graduate High School.
Take the regular biology classes in whichever grades they offer them at your schools. You will get the basics and terminology and learn some of the equipment even if it is human biology based and it will help you when you start college.
I hope this helps and I wish you all the best !
I agree with Advisor Steward "Tony" Pacheco because a friend of mine went to Texas A and M for Landscape Architecture and she's had a great career !
What you'll need to look at are the Programs for Animal Science (if they are offered) at both Texas A and M and the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.
Texas A and M University offers a comprehensive program in Animal Science through its Department of Animal Science within the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. They offer the Bachelors, Masters and Doctorate Degrees in Animal Science, so Texas A and M is a possibility.
University of Massachusetts, Amherst also offers a program for Animal Science, but as far as I know, only for a Bachelors Degree. They also have a Pre-Veterinary Program. Contact them directly to find out if they offer a Masters and Doctorate Program in Animal Science.
To figure this out, you would have to know which career involving animals you want to have. If you know the actual career, you can then prepare efficiently for it by choosing the right Major for the degree(s) and the college that offers it. Both colleges are overall wonderful institutions, however, you need to match a program up with a career. You certainly have a lot of time to do this. A path for what you've mentioned, Biology, is going to be focused on Human Biology, not Animal Science which would be the subject that you'd need to work with animals.
It's perfectly okay (and fun) to be involved with animals and you don't need to give it up. The more you explore, the more knowledge you gain. Be around animals as much as you can. See if you can volunteer at a nearby ranch, farm or animal shelter or Zoo. Think about exactly what you want to do with Animals - being a Veterinarian, veterinary technician, and laboratory animal caretaker, research and development, positions like animal scientist, research biologist, animal nutritionist, geneticist, and reproductive scientist. These would all require being an Animal Science Major, not a Biology Major.
In addition, my advice is to explore more Universities that offer the Animal Science program for your specific career goal. Think about colleges in your state of Arizona, too. Animal Science programs are offered at The University of Arizona and at Arizona State University. You can plan some day to take a tour of these colleges and see if you can go for an oreintation even if you are in Middle School.
It's nice to know that you were first inspired at the age of 6 to want a career involving animals. I was also 6 years old when I was inspired for a future career. The advice I can give you is be involved. Join any groups or clubs that have to do with animals and do volunteer work now. When you turn 14, connect with The Arizona Humane Society because they offer several programs for teens in Surprise, AZ, focused on animal welfare and related careers. The Humane Teens program is a competitive youth leadership initiative for teens aged 14 to 17. Try not to sit idle with the work that you love like I did till I was 18 and in college. I wasn't in the environment nor did I know anyone who was an actor so I just let it lay dormant till I went to college. You'll have a special edge in college if you keep active now till you graduate High School.
Take the regular biology classes in whichever grades they offer them at your schools. You will get the basics and terminology and learn some of the equipment even if it is human biology based and it will help you when you start college.
I hope this helps and I wish you all the best !