A multi-disciplinary approach centered around the life sciences and math (quantitative analysis) are fundamental to ecology. You may find this tricky to find. If in doubt start with biology. Good luck, it is the road least travelled at the end of the day.

This is unfortunately not a straightforward answer, as it will depend on what classes are available in your college / university. However, a first approach would be to take as many ecology classes as you can. Population / community ecology, population dynamics, evolution, evolutionary ecology, behavioural ecology, & sensory ecology are all great options. If you already know what group you want to study (in your case big cats), then any course that provides knowledge on evolution and anatomy on that group would help – zoology & mammalogy come to mind.

Finally, it's always helpful to have some statistical modelling tools. I'd recommend the book "Modelling for Field Biologists and Other Interesting People" by Hanna Kokko.

I hope this helps!

Thank you!

you can learn through classes, observation and dissection in four years bachelor's degree in animal behavior offered by many schools/colleges/universities.

Hi Aimee-Elizabeth,

I agree with Luis. These are certainly the basic courses you need as an ethologist. I would also recommend a course in a basic programming language- i.e. "R" which will give you a tool you can use no matter what area of Science you choose.

Hope this helps-

Peter

Also- a modern course in Animal Behavior would be essential for being an ethologist.

Moreover, I would join the Animal Behavior Society and plan to attend their annual meetings (now online) to connect with this vibrant community. In this way you can get an idea of the current research questions being asked and at the same time, meet the people doing the work.

Aimee, will want to major in biology or zoology or ecology, depending on what is offered at the university that you want to attend. If you have a choice of universities, choose one with a strong biology or ecology curriculum. Most universities start with general courses on a broad range of topics such as general biology or general zoology and general botany, plus language, math, history, geography, geology, physics, etc, then as you advance into the upper levels you get to take more specific courses in your field, such as animal ecology, animal behavior, evolutionary biology, wildlife ecology, plant ecology, comparative anatomy, etc. As you advance, you should consider graduate school to advance your career.

Also, most universities have the curriculum already fairly well mapped out for each choice of major. Look in the university catalogue under biology and see what your choices are fir each year. They will give you the courses that you must take each semester over four years in order to graduate with a batchelor’s degree in biology. After that you should think seriously about attending graduate school to obtain an advanced degree, especially if you want to go into research. Graduate school is where you can really focus on your chosen field of study, such as behavioral ecology of large felines.

Freshman Year: Get a good grounding in biology and math. You will need both of these as you get into animal behavior and ecology.

Hello Aimee-Elizabeth; You asked about what to take as a Freshman. You won't have much choice because the required introductory courses in Biology are the prerequisites most of the more advanced courses you will want to choose from. However, think broadly. You will need to be a very good zoologist and a pretty good botanist.

Because the field of ethology is intensely analytical, you will benefit from a strong math/statistical background.

You will LOVE the subject! In the middle of your Freshman year look for a "research experience for undergraduates" (REU). These are opportunities to work in the field with an active research program. The biology department in your college will be able to help as can your academic advisor. The best of luck, Jim Des Lauriers

I agree with Luis, plus population dynamics, biology, animal ecology, genetics, statistics, conservation biology, plant interactions, botany,

Luis,

All during Freshman year? Quite ambitious.

A multi-disciplinary approach centered around the life sciences and math (quantitative analysis) are fundamental to ecology. You may find this tricky to find. If in doubt start with biology. Good luck, it is the road least travelled at the end of the day.

Hi Aimee-Elizabeth again,

Another course (obviously) to be taken in the first year of college, regardless of your future field, is English! It is difficult to stress the importance of English composition, grammar and style. There is a long-term trend at universities in the US at least, to include more writing assignments in all courses to increase the number of written papers required.

Polls have shown that in many countries, people's greatest fear is speaking in front of an audience. To complement writing skills, it is also recommended to take (at some point) a course in public speaking.

Peter