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,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 (Animals in Science, Animals in Arts and Humanities, Animals in Human Sciences), 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)

Interdisciplinary Classes

  • One Animals in Science Class: AZ 210 Animal Diversity of Vertebrates,AZ 212 Marine Mammal Science, AZ 300 Wild Cat Science (pre-req: AZ 200), AZ 314 Great Apes (pre-req: AZ 200), AZ 350 Animal Learning and Behavior Modification (pre-req: AZ 200S), AZ 305 Animal Welfare Science (pre-req: AZ 200), AZ 327 Herptiles: Welfare & Enrichment (pre-req: AZ 200), AZ 370 Dog Behavior and Cognition (pre-req: AZ 200), PS 212 Animal Cognition (pre-req: AZ 200S or PS101S), PS 309 Biopsychology (pre-req: AZ 200S or PS101S)
  • One Animals in Arts and Humanities Class: AZ 224 Writing the Animal, AZ 309G Global Animal Studies, 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 101H Exploring Religion: Animals, TH 280A Animals and Performance
  • One Animals in Human Societies Class: AZ 217S Animals and Popular Culture, AZ 220 Animal-Assisted Interventions (pre-req: AZ 200 or PS101S), AZ 223S Intro to Animal Law, AZ 335 Human Animal Health Dynamics, AZ 315 Animals on Trial (pre-req AZ 200), AZ 380 Multispecies Ethnography (pre-req AZ 200), EC 280 Microeconomics: Environment & Animals, PO 270E Guerrillas and Gorillas

Elective Courses: Two additional courses. Can be from one ofthree interdisciplinary categories. 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, AZ 360 Wildlife Rehabilitation, AZ 385 Animal Controversies Seminar, TH 243G Bears to Cats: London Theatre History. Also, one of the following animal studies-related courses can count for one of the two electives: HD 210 Counseling Strategies: Theory and Practice (pre-req: PS 101S or HD 101S), CM 121 Fundamentals of Oral Communication, PO 102S Introduction to American National Government and Politics, PO 202E Public Policymaking in America, MN 406S Non-Profit Management, CO 202 Writing for Social Change, CW 220A Journalism, CW 348A Feature Writing, FI 210A Intro to Filmmaking, MK 270S Principles of Marketing, CS 120M Computer Programming Concepts, CO 263 Professional Writing, EN 311G Global Changemakers, EC 281S Principles of Microeconomics.

Upper-level Foundational Courses (junior/senior years)

  • Animal Behavior (pre-req: AZ 200S & statistics course)
  • 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.

      Minor Requirements

      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.