Major

The Animal Studies major is meant to help students become more knowledgeable about animals and their various and multidimensional relationships with humans, introduce students to multiple lenses through which to understand animals and their relationship to humankind, and provide experiences that allow students to apply and expand this knowledge. At the same time, the major will require students to choose a focus area outside the field in order to help them develop knowledge and skills tailor-made to complement the individual student’s interests in studying animals.

The major includes five foundational courses (two lower-level and three upper-level), three other courses (Science; Humanities, Society, & Culture; Application), two electives, and the completion of a minor which complements their interests. Students graduate with a Bachelor of Arts degree.

Foundational Classes (first year and sophomore year)

  • AZ 200 Introduction to Animal Studies
  • Statistics course: (note: in the case of PS 200 and PS210M Methods I & II, both courses must be taken)

Other Classes

  • One Science Class AZ 212 Marine Mammal Science, AZ 314 Great Apes, AZ 331 Animal Learning and Behavior Modification (pre-req: AZ 200S), PS 212 Animal Cognition [formerly Comparative Psychology] (pre-req: AZ 200S or PS101S), PS 309 Biopsychology (pre-req: AZ 200S or PS101S), CAN ONLY COUNT ONE OF: AZ 210N Animal Diversity of Vertebrates, BI 111N Ecology Evolution and Diversity, ES 270N Introduction to Environmental Biology, MS 102N Biological Oceanography
  • One Humanities, Society, & Culture Class AZ 217S Animals and Popular Culture, AZ 220 Animal-Assisted Interventions (pre-req: AZ 200S or PS101S), AZ 223S Intro to Animal Law, AZ 224 Writing the Animal, AZ 309G Global Animal Studies, AZ 325 Conservation Education - Zoos and Aquariums (pre-reqs: AZ 200S), AS 206E Animals in Ancient Science, AS 310H Animals in Classical Cultures, CM 328 Human-Animal Communication (pre-req: AZ 200S or CM 121), HI 101H Making History: Animals in Modern Europe, LI 217H The Voice of the Animal, LI 227H Knowing the Animal Through Literature, PL 201H Philosophy Topics: Animals and Experience, PL 204H Animal Ethics, RE 252E Animals and Religion, TH 264A Animals in Stage Design, TH 280A Animals and Performance
  • OneApplication Class CM 121 Fundamentals of Oral Communication, CO 202 Writing for Social Change, CW 220A Journalism, CW 348A Feature Writing (Pre-req CW 204A or 220A), FI 210A Intro to Filmmaking, HD 210 Counseling Strategies: Theory and Practice (pre-req: PS 101S or HD 101S), MN 406S Non-Profit Management, PO 102S Introduction to American National Government and Politics, PO 202E Public Policymaking in America

Elective Courses: Two additional courses. Can be from one of the Science; Humanities, Society, & Culture; Application courses listed above; also, other electives can be Special Topics in Animal Studies, such as BE 320E Role of the Modern Zoo, AZ 325 Conservation Education - Zoos and Aquariums, TH 243G Bears to Cats: London Theatre History, Animal Learning and Training Class, or (no more than one) discipline-approved Winter Term course.

Upper-level Foundational Courses (junior/senior years)

  • Animal Behavior (pre-req: AZ 200S & Statistics)
  • AZ 344 Practicum in Animal Studies
  • AZ 498 Capstone Seminar

      • The Animal Studies Major requires students to minor (or double major) in a discipline of their choice. Note: You can only double count two courses in the Minor (or second major) for the Animal Studies major and no more than four transfer classes may count towards the major.

      The minor in Animal Studies requires six courses, three required courses and three
      additional courses as follows:

      • AZ 200 Introduction to Animal Studies
      • Statistics Course
      • Animal Behavior
      • Three additional Animal Studies courses (any that count towards the Animal Studies major, at least one at 300+ level)

      Students can double count no more than two courses for their major towards the Animal Studies Minor and no more than two transfer classes may count towards the animal studies minor.


The Animal Studies major includes five foundational courses (two lower-level and three upper-level), three other courses (Science; Humanities, Society, & Culture; Application), two electives, and the completion of a minor which complements their interests. Students graduate with a Bachelor of Arts degree. View the checklist.