Towson University - Biology |
| Interdisciplinary Studies Program: Animal Behavior |
| The study of animal behavior has received an increasing amount of attention from the public because of the emphasis placed by zoological parks on behavioral biology and the large number of presentations in the media regarding animal behavior and sociobiology. |
| The Animal Behavior Track is designed to offer a solid foundation in the diverse approaches used to study behavioral biology. The program uses a carefully selected combination of courses in biology and psychology to achieve this goal. In addition, students are required to complete either an independent research project or an internship in order to apply their knowledge in an intensive research experience. |
| Students who complete the program may be qualified for positions at zoological parks, aquariums, and nature centers. In addition, they will have the necessary technical knowledge to pursue a career in freelance writing about animal behavior. However, students who are considering attending graduate school will need to complete additional courses in either biology or psychology. Most of the students currently enrolled in the program also are majoring in either Biology or Psychology. |
| Students who are considering the Animal Behavior Track must meet with one of the program coordinators before declaring Interdisciplinary Studies as a major. |
| The Animal Behavior Track requires students to complete 45 credit hours with a grade equivalent of 2.00 or higher. If 45 hours have not been reached following completion of the required courses, the additional course or courses must be taken from the following biology or psychology electives list. |
| Required Courses (31-32 credits) |
| BIOL 110
(Contemporary General Biology) 4 credits PSYC 101 (Introduction to Psychology) 3 credits BIOL 207 (General Zoology) 4 credits PSYC 212 (Behavioral Statistics) 4 credits BIOL 371 (Animal Behavior) 4 credits PSYC 460 (Ethology and Comparative Psychology) 3 credits PSYC 314 (Research Methods in Psychology) 4 credits or BIOL 381 (Biological Literature) 3 credits BIOL 413 (Evolution) 3 credits PSYC 491 (Independent Investigation in Psychology) 3 credits* or BIOL 491 (Independent Research in Biology) 3 credits* or IDIS 495 (Internship in Interdisciplinary Studies) 3 credits |
| Biology Electives |
| A minimum of
two courses from the following:** BIOL 351 (Field and Systematic Vertebrate Zoology) 4 credits BIOL 353 (Invertebrate Zoology) 4 credits BIOL 367 (Endocrinology) 3 credits BIOL 402 (General Ecology) 4 credits BIOL 456 (Ornithology) 4 credits BIOL 458 (Mammalogy) 4 credits BIOL 461 (Entomology) 4 credits BIOL 465 (Mammalian Physiology) 4 credits BIOL 467 (Herpetology) 4 credits BIOL 469 (Comparative Animal Physiology) 4 credits BIOL 481 (Directed Readings in Biology) 1-3 credits* |
| Psychology Electives |
| A minimum of
two courses from the following:** PSYC 305 (Psychology of Learning) 3 credits PSYC 309 (Psychopharmacology) 3 credits PSYC 315 (Motivation) 3 credits PSYC 317 (Sensation and Perception) 3 credits PSYC 341 (Environmental Psychology) 3 credits PSYC 381 (Readings in Psychology) 1-3 credits* PSYC 447 (Sex Differences: Psychological Perspectives) 3 credits PSYC 465 (Physiological Psychology) 3 credits PSYC 486 (Advanced Experimental Design) 3 credits PSYC 470-479 (Current Topics in Psychology) * |
| *Must be approved by
coordinator. **Students should consult the most recent TU Undergraduate Catalog for course prerequisites and discuss all course selections with their advisor(s). Don't have an advisor? Contact the Department of Biological Sciences or the Department of Psychology. |
| For more information, contact Interdisciplinary Programs. |