Degree Overview: Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Degree in Animal Behavior
Majors Overview April 19, 2014Psychology and biology are combined studies in Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree programs in Animal Behavior. Neuroscience is also added into the program by some schools. Animal Behavior programs are designed to explore animal development, society, and biology.
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Degree Programs in Animal Behavior
Students interested in enrolling into a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Animal Behavior program typically find it relatively easy to gain admittance. Enrolled students in the program are provided active learning experiences in the field and the lab, both in off-campus and on-campus venues, including protected habitats and zoos. Students involved in many programs are even afforded opportunities to study abroad wherein they can study animals in their natural habitats. Mammalians, aerial species and aquatic life are included in the animal types they can study.
During the program, students can perform work alongside faculty and peers, aimed at producing original research projects. Opportunities are provided by some schools, whereby research can be used by students for the creation of an honors thesis to be presented at professional gatherings, or an article to be published in specialized journals.
Coursework
It takes four years to complete a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree program in Animal Behavior whose coursework includes how biology, social structure and development in animals are interconnected. Psychology and the physical sciences intersect to create the need for an array of subject areas of study, such as cultures, languages, physics and math. Some of these topic areas are:
•Studying Ecosystems
•Genetic Issues and Evolution
•Bio- and Neurochemistry
•Physiological Development
•Research and Documentation Methods
•Human and Animal Sociology
Career Choices
The nature of job opportunity will be influenced by the candidate’s major area of concentration within the field of animal behavior. A student may opt for a career as a marine biologist if their concentration was mainly aquatic life; others, whose focus area was evolution, might seek an occupation at a natural history museum. They may choose from jobs titles such as:
•Wildlife rehabilitation assistant
•Natural history museum exhibit caretaker
•Animal trainer
•Marine ecology researcher
•Zookeeper
Continuing Education Choices
A master’s degree in Animal Behavior is offered by a few schools, allowing students to continue their education in the field; however, many individuals opt for other subject areas related to environmental science, psychology, zoology and natural science. Law or medical school may also be the chosen option for students who aim to become environmental lawyers, animal rights advocates or veterinarians.