Majoring & Minoring

Students may major in Animal Behavior with a BA or a BS.  A minor is also offered in consultation with the Program Chair.

Major in Animal Behavior (BA or BS)

61 semester hours, including Biology 50-102, 112, 122, 162, 334; two from Biology 50-364, 394, 424, 434, 444; Chemistry 51-153/151, 163/161; Psychology 33-103, 111, 204, 214, 453; Psychology 33-223 or 363; Biology 50-353 or Psychology 33-433; Biology 50-213 or Psychology 33-253; six hours from Biology 50-973, Psychology 33-833, 853 (Capstone) Mathematics 52-113.

Additional recommended courses: Biology 50-163, Mathematics 52-154, Philosophy 18-103.

Minor in Animal Behavior

22 semester hours, including Biology 50-112, 122; Mathematics 52-113; Psychology 33-103; Biology 50-213 or Psychology 33-253; nine additional hours of courses in the Animal Behavior major above the introductory level, chosen with the approval of the program chair.

In addition to the required and selected courses listed above, students participate in research projects under the supervision of faculty members. The research may be conducted in department laboratories or at field sites. Research opportunities are also available at off-campus laboratories and facilities.

Related to the student’s research experience, a final requirement for the Animal Behavior major is completion of the capstone project (usually in the senior year). This project consists of conducting original research in the student’s area of interest and in cooperation with one of the program’s faculty advisers. This requirement is fulfilled through the second three-hour block of research credit (50-973, 33-833 or 33-853), depending on interest and results in a written and oral presentation of research findings.