The minor in Animal Behavior consists of 18 hours of courses. The minor is designed to give students flexibility to explore different areas of animal behavior, including animal research, care, and welfare.
Requirements
The minor consists of approximately six courses (a minimum of 18 credit hours). Up to nine credit hours may also be used toward meeting curricular requirements for the student’s major or another minor requirement concurrently. Students can obtain a minor in Animal Behavior and also a major in related disciplines, including Psychology, Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, and Animal Science. Students cannot obtain an Interdisciplinary Major and Minor in Animal Behavior.
View Course catalog & College Requirements
Featured Courses
EEB/PSYCH 450
Animal Behavior
Behaviors are some of the most conspicuous, extraordinary, and sometimes puzzling traits of organisms. In this survey of animal behavior, we draw from a variety of interrelated fields, including ecology and evolutionary biology, psychology, neuroscience, endocrinology, biochemistry and physics, to understand the proximate and ultimate causes of animal behavior.
EEB/PSYCH 459
Comparative Animal Behavior Laboratory
In this laboratory course, we take a hands-on approach to the study of animal behavior. Work in this field is aimed at uncovering the mechanisms, development, function, and evolution of behavioral systems in non-human animals. This course is designed to authentically engage students in the process of science. Students build a background in ethics, experimental design, and statistical analysis and then work as part of a team to design and carry out an experiment.
EEB/PSYC 454
Animal Communication
Animal communication is the deeply interdisciplinary field aimed at understanding the mechanisms, development, function, and evolution of communication in animals. Why and how do animals communicate? By what mechanisms do animals produce and perceive signals? What information is communicated with signals? How are animal signals shaped by natural and sexual selection? How do signals propagate in the environment?
EEB 607
Special Topics in Animal Behavior
Special Topics in Animal Behavior is a graduate-level seminar in which students engage with cutting-edge research in our field and interact closely with faculty affiliated with the UTABC. Students and faculty present works in progress and benefit from offering and responding to constructive feedback.
EEPS 420/520
Trace Fossils: Behavior, Environment, and Applications
An investigation of organism-substrate interactions during the present and throughout geologic time. Topics include ichnologic theory, a review of modern and ancient trace makers, ichnofacies models, and applications to sedimentologic and stratigraphic problems, environmental impacts on substrate-dependent ecosystems, as well as oil, gas, and groundwater exploration.
ANSC 490/515
Animal Behavior and Welfare
This course is designed to encourage critical thought about animal welfare in human-managed species. Students analyze contemporary welfare issues and policies based on our scientific understanding of animal experiences. While the course emphasizes farm animals, it also draws on examples from zoo, lab, companion, wild, and rehabilitation settings.
EEB 315
Parasites, Disease, and Behavior
Have you ever wondered how animals, including humans, practice social distancing to prevent the spread of pathogens or how parasites manipulate the behavior of their hosts. This course will introduce students to the many ways human and non-human animals change their behavior in response to parasites. For each behavior, we will explore the underlying evolutionary and ecological contexts and epidemiological implications.