Are you interested in working at a zoo or aquarium? In this very competitive field, it helps to have good training! Portland Community College in Portland, Oregon offers a unique opportunity to earn an Associate’s Degree in Biology and Management of Zoo Animals. Graduates are prepared to serve the zoological community in a variety of capacities including zookeeper or aquarist, animal trainer, zoo educator, animal presenter, wildlife rehabilitator, registrar and laboratory animal technician. Students have the opportunity to work closely with animals and staff at the Oregon Zoo and to gain additional experience in related fields and at many other unique facilities in the region. Our program has been designated as an official Learning Partner of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), which means that some of the courses in the BMZA program will also qualify as required electives for different concentrations in the AZA Professional Development Certificate Program <https://www.aza.org/certificate.aspx>. The AZA Certificates are organized into concentrations such as behavioral husbandry, education and interpretation, and management and operations. *Applications to the program will be accepted from mid-January to mid-April for the 2015-2017 program which begins in September 2015. There are some prerequisites (see below), so if you want to apply, you will want to get these requirements done prior to April 2015. More details follow below. Please go to http://www.pcc.edu/programs/zoo-animals/ <http://www.pcc.edu/programs/zoo-animals/> for further information. * [image: Inline image 1] Biology and Management of Zoo Animals Rock Creek Bldg 7, Rm 202 | Faculty Department Chair: Joyce Kaplan <http://www.pcc.edu/scripts/sdquery.pl?all=Joyce+Kaplan> | 971-722-7688 | joyce.kaplan@pcc.edu *The Call of the Wild* Caring for wildlife in captivity today is very complex and involves many different fields, as well as being intricately tied to species survival in the wild. Zoos are no longer simply showcases where animals are presented for the entertainment of guests. Modern zoos work to conserve threatened and endangered species, from the large to the small, both on the zoo grounds and in their natural habitats. A variety of career fields are available including education and public relations, record-keeping, research, conservation biology (including overseas work), horticulture, veterinary services, and a career ladder that may include zookeeper, senior keeper, curator, and zoo director. The biology and management of zoo animals requires a great deal of knowledge to maintain a sustainable population of animals in captivity and insure their physical and mental well-being. It is critical to learn about the anatomy, physiology, reproduction, behavior, and nutrition of a very wide variety of animals. You also need a great deal of practical experience working with all types of exotic animals to be able to put your knowledge into practice. Animal husbandry, handling, health management, population management, training, enrichment, record-keeping, and exhibit care and management are all important. Education and guiding the public towards an appreciation of animals is a new and critical role of the zookeeper as well. You will need to excel in public relations as well as in animal management. *Degrees and Certificates* In this program you can earn the following: · *Associate of Applied Science Degree* For program admission information, please visit http://www.pcc.edu/programs/zoo-animals/admission.html . *Prerequisites and Requirements* (must be completed before April 2015): (College placement tests are administered through assessment centers.) · High school diploma, GED certificate, or equivalent required. · Completion of WR 121 <http://catalog.pcc.edu/search/?P=WR%20121> or higher with a C grade or better or previous degree. · Completing MTH 65 <http://catalog.pcc.edu/search/?P=MTH%2065>, or MTH 63 <http://catalog.pcc.edu/search/?P=MTH%2063> with a C or better, or passing a math class with a C or better for which MTH 65 <http://catalog.pcc.edu/search/?P=MTH%2065>or higher level math skills are a prerequisite, or passing the PCC competency exam for MTH 65 <http://catalog.pcc.edu/search/?P=MTH%2065>. · Completion of BI 112 <http://catalog.pcc.edu/search/?P=BI%20112> or BI 211 <http://catalog.pcc.edu/search/?P=BI%20211> and BI 212 <http://catalog.pcc.edu/search/?P=BI%20212> or equivalent major's biology coursework (including molecular /cellular/genetics components). · Completion of CH 151 <http://catalog.pcc.edu/search/?P=CH%20151> or CH 104 <http://catalog.pcc.edu/search/?P=CH%20104> or equivalent general chemistry course with laboratory. · Completion of a minimum of one additional course from the General Education/Discipline Studies list · Documentation of computer literacy through CAS 133 <http://catalog.pcc.edu/search/?P=CAS%20133>, equivalent coursework or experience. · A minimum of 20 documented hours of direct animal husbandry experience. · All prerequisite coursework and experience must be complete by the end of winter term prior to the early spring application deadline. Courses planned for spring term will not be considered. Pass/No Pass evaluation is not acceptable in the prerequisite courses. Hope you will join us! Cheers, Sarah Courbis, Ph.D. sarahcourbis@gmail.com
