Zoo Animal Technology, A.S.

Program Code: 3106

Are you passionate about animals? Do you want to save the world and make a difference for wild animals and wild places? The Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo is located on Santa Fe College’s Northwest Campus, and accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA).

Supervised by the professional staff of the SF Teaching Zoo, you gain hands-on experience in every aspect of zoo animal management, from daily care, to habitat construction and maintenance, to educating the public on our diverse collection of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates. Our students are not assistants to anyone; they are our zookeepers. Find your niche, learn to go above and beyond the day-to-day operations of zoos and become a conservation champion!

Our graduates occupy positions in zoos, aquariums, aviaries, wildlife parks, conservation organizations, veterinary clinics, science museums and animal care facilities around the United States and the world. Program graduates are contributing to the field through their leadership, dedication and professional training.

General Education Requirements

Communication (6 Credit Hours)

ENC 1101 - College Composition 1 Credit Hours: 3.0
SPC 2608 - Public Speaking Credit Hours: 3.0

Mathematics (3 Credit Hours)

Choose one from the following:

MAC 1105 - College Algebra Credit Hours: 3.0
MGF 1130 - Mathematical Thinking Credit Hours: 3.0
STA 2023 - Introduction to Statistics Credit Hours: 3.0

Humanities (3 Credit Hours)

Choose one from the following:

ARH 1000 - Art Appreciation Credit Hours: 3.0
HUM 2020 - Introduction to the Humanities Credit Hours: 3.0
LIT 1000 - Literature Appreciation Credit Hours: 3.0
MUL 1010 - Music Appreciation Credit Hours: 3.0
PHI 2010 - Introduction to Philosophy Credit Hours: 3.0
THE 1000 - Introduction to Theater Credit Hours: 3.0

Natural Sciences (4 Credit Hours)

Choose from the following:

BSC 2005 - Fundamentals of Biology Credit Hours: 3.0
BSC 2005L - Fundamentals of Biology Lab Credit Hours: 1.0
BSC 2010 - General Biology 1 Credit Hours: 3.0
BSC 2010L - General Biology 1 Lab Credit Hours: 1.0
BSC 2085 - Anatomy and Physiology 1 Credit Hours: 3.0
BSC 2085L - Anatomy and Physiology 1 Lab Credit Hours: 1.0
CHM 2045 - College Chemistry 1 Credit Hours: 3.0
CHM 2045L - College Chemistry 1 Lab Credit Hours: 1.0
PHY 2048 - General Physics 1 with Calculus Credit Hours: 3.0
PHY 2048L - General Physics 1 with Calculus Lab Credit Hours: 1.0
PHY 2053 - General Physics 1 Credit Hours: 3.0
PHY 2053L - General Physics 1 Lab Credit Hours: 1.0

Social Sciences (3 Credit Hours)

Choose one from the following:

AMH 2010 - United States History to 1877 Credit Hours: 3.0
AMH 2020 - United States History Since 1877 Credit Hours: 3.0
POS 2041 - American National Government Credit Hours: 3.0

Total General Education Hours: 19

Professional Core Requirements*

PAZ 1002 - Introduction to Zoos and Aquariums Credit Hours: 3.0
PAZ 1310 - Basic Keeper Technology Credit Hours: 3.0
PAZ 1310L - Basic Keeper Technology Lab Credit Hours: 2.0
PAZ 1331 - Animal Management Laboratory 1 Credit Hours: 4.0
PAZ 1332 - Animal Management Laboratory 2 Credit Hours: 4.0
PAZ 2317 - Related Zoo Topics Credit Hours: 3.0
PAZ 2320 - Herpeculture Credit Hours: 3.0
PAZ 2322 - Aviculture Credit Hours: 4.0
PAZ 2325 - Mammal Culture Credit Hours: 4.0
PAZ 2328 - Aquarium Culture Credit Hours: 3.0
PAZ 2333 - Animal Management Laboratory 3 Credit Hours: 4.0
PAZ 2334 - Animal Management Laboratory 4 Credit Hours: 4.0
PAZ 2540 - Animal Nutrition Credit Hours: 3.0
PAZ 2551 - Animal Breeding Credit Hours: 3.0

Total Professional Core Hours: 47

Total Program Hours: 66

*All PAZ courses must be taken in the sequence determined by the Zoo Animal Technology Program. All PAZ courses must be successfully completed with a C or better grade before continuing in the sequence because each PAZ course acts as the prerequisite for subsequent courses in the sequence.