Animal Behavior Concentration - Interdisciplinary Studies Major
Program Director: Dr. Mark Bulmer
Smith Hall 251
Phone: 410-704-4065
Email: mbulmer@towson.edu
Program Director: Dr. Paul Pistell
Liberal Arts 2124
Phone: 410-704-3483
Email: ppistell@towson.edu
The Program
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 Concentration 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 are also majoring in either Biology or Psychology.
Students who are considering the Animal Behavior Concentration must meet with one of the program coordinators before declaring Interdisciplinary Studies as a major. Students who are also majoring or minoring in Psychology or Biology should contact the respective co-coordinator: Mark Bulmer (Biological Sciences), Paul Pistell (Psychology).
Requirements for the Concentration
The Animal Behavior Concentration requires students to complete 45 units with a grade equivalent of 2.00 or higher. If 45 units have not been reached following completion of the required courses, the additional course or courses must be taken from the biology or psychology electives list (see below).
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| BIOL 120 & 120L | PRINCIPLES OF BIOLOGY [LECTURE] and PRINCIPLES OF BIOLOGY [LAB] | 4 |
| or BIOL 200 & 200L | INTRODUCTION TO CELLULAR BIOLOGY AND GENETICS [LECTURE] and INTRODUCTION TO CELLULAR BIOLOGY AND GENETICS [LAB] | |
| BIOL 202 | INTRODUCTION TO ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION | 4 |
| or BIOL 413 | EVOLUTION | |
| BIOL 207 | GENERAL ZOOLOGY | 4 |
| BIOL 371 | ANIMAL BEHAVIOR | 4 |
| PSYC 101 | INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY | 3 |
| PSYC 212 | BEHAVIORAL STATISTICS | 4 |
| PSYC 314 | RESEARCH METHODS IN PSYCHOLOGY | 3-4 |
| or BIOL 381 | WRITING IN THE BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES | |
| PSYC 460 | ETHOLOGY AND COMPARATIVE PSYCHOLOGY | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| ELECTIVE IN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH | ||
| INTERNSHIP IN BIOLOGY | ||
| INTERNSHIP IN INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES | ||
| DIRECTED RESEARCH EXPERIENCE IN PSYCHOLOGY | ||
| Biology Electives | ||
| Select a minimum of two of the following: 1 | 5-8 | |
| ANIMAL PHYSIOLOGY | ||
| MARINE BIOLOGY | ||
| INVERTEBRATE ZOOLOGY | ||
| GENERAL ECOLOGY | ||
| WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT | ||
| TROPICAL ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION | ||
| FISH BIOLOGY | ||
| ORNITHOLOGY | ||
| MAMMALOGY | ||
| ENTOMOLOGY | ||
| HERPETOLOGY | ||
| DIR READ:BIOL | ||
| Psychology Electives | ||
| Select a minimum of two of the following: 1 | 4-6 | |
| PSYCHOLOGY OF LEARNING | ||
| PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY | ||
| MOTIVATION | ||
| SENSATION AND PERCEPTION | ||
| ENVIRONMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY | ||
| READINGS IN PSYCHOLOGY 2 | ||
| SEX DIFFERENCES: PSYCHOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVES | ||
| PHYSIOLOGICAL PSYCHOLOGY | ||
| ADVANCED EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN | ||
| SPECIAL TOPICS IN PSYCHOLOGY 1 | ||
| Total Units | 41-47 | |
| 1 | Students should consult this catalog for course prerequisites and discuss all course selections with their adviser. |
| 2 | Must be approved by coordinator. |
Suggested Four-Year Plan
Based on course availability and student needs and preferences, the selected sequences will probably vary from those presented below. Students should consult with their adviser to make the most appropriate elective choices.
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Term 1 | Units | Term 2 | Units |
| MATH 115 (Suggested Core 3) | 3 | Choose one of the following: | 3-4 |
| PSYC 101 (Core 6) | 3 | BIOL 202 (Core 8) | |
| Choose one of the following: | 4 | ||
| Core 2 (or Core 1) | 3 | ||
| Core 4 | 3 | ||
| Core 1 (or Core 2) | 3 | Core 12 | 3 |
| Core 14 | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| 16 | 15-16 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Term 1 | Units | Term 2 | Units |
| BIOL 207 | 4 | PSYC 460 | 3 |
| PSYC 212 | 4 | Core 5 | 3 |
| WMST 231 (Suggested Core 13) | 3 | Core 9 | 3 |
| Core 11 | 3 | Core 10 | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| 17 | 15 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Term 1 | Units | Term 2 | Units |
| BIOL 207 | 4 | BIOL 371 | 4 |
| PSYC 314 or BIOL 381 | 4 | PSYC Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| 17 | 16 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Term 1 | Units | Term 2 | Units |
| BIOL 491, 493, IDIS 495, or PSYC 391 | 3 | BIOL Elective | 3 |
| PSYC Elective | 3 | BIOL Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| 12 | 12 | ||
| Total Units 120-121 | |||
- Students possess the ability to integrate knowledge and modes of thinking across two or more disciplines.
- Students communicate effectively in the presentation of interdisciplinary materials through various modes of transmission.
- Students conduct, analyze and apply research from two or more disciplines or through interdisciplinary research.