Additional Information
A master's degree is the minimum for an animal physiologist who wishes
to be involved in research. A PhD is preferred. However, a person with a bachelor's
degree can find work in the field in non-research positions.
"The training never ends. This is truly lifelong learning," says animal
physiologist Louise Milligan.
"The formal training consists of four years of undergraduate work to earn
a bachelor's degree, then two years for a master's degree, then another four
years for a PhD. Then comes two to three years as a post-doctoral fellow,
following which, if you are lucky, a job!"
Focusing on mathematics, biology and chemistry while in high school is
one way to prepare. But to be successful, a person also needs to love animals.
They must be curious about how and why animals exist.
Peter Hansen works for the department of dairy and poultry sciences at
the University of Florida. Hansen suggests trying the career before committing
to it for the long term. "Try it while you're an undergraduate student," he
says. "Try doing a research project or an experiment with a professor before
you decide you want to be an animal physiologist."