UC Santa Barbara Zoology Program

Hey! Anyone here who either attended or knows about the Zoology program at UC Santa Barbara? I'm super interested in it, but I'd love to hear more from people who have a firsthand experience. Thanks in advance!

UC Santa Barbara offers a strong Environmental Studies program, and while it doesn't have zoology as a specific major, it does offer an Ecology and Evolution emphasis within its Biological Sciences major which can serve your interest in zoology well.

Coursework in this focus includes animal behavior, marine biology, and environmental toxicology, amongst others, which is pretty heavy in zoological studies. So you'll gain the insights necessary to understand how animals interact with their environments and the processes that shape them. It's one of the pluses of attending a school like UCSB which has an interdisciplinary approach, allowing you to blend biological study with environmental concerns.

The faculty also includes professors who are experts or do research in zoology, which can be great for networking or asking questions. There are also opportunities for fieldwork and research depending on a student's inclination.

Also, consider UCSB's location—it's ideally placed for any students interested in the marine sciences and ecology, thanks to its proximity to the Pacific Ocean, making it ideal for hands-on studies and research.

Keep in mind that UCSB, like the other UC schools, is test-blind, so your SAT or ACT scores won't be considered for admission. Critical factors will include your high school GPA, the rigor of your course load, your extracurricular activities, and your personal essays. Having Tier 1 or Tier 2 extracurriculars related to your interest area would definitely give you an edge.

That said, it's always better to reach out directly to the admissions office or join online virtual tours/webinars hosted by UCSB to get the most accurate information about their current offerings.