Course Requirements

Once enrolled, all students must take certain core courses and at least two elective courses. The aim of the core curriculum is to introduce students to the breadth of approaches to animal behavior, and to encourage the interdisciplinary thinking that distinguishes our program. These courses are required of all students in the program:

Core courses: 20 units

  • Scientific Approaches to Animal Behavior (ANB 201): 3 units
  • Fundamentals of Animal Behavior (ANB/PSC 218A and 218B): 10 units
  • Advanced statistical analysis (e.g. PSC 204A; PSC 204B, C or D; STA 205, 106, 108, 138; AGR 204, 206): 4 units
  • Seminar in Animal Behavior (ANB 290): 3 units

Elective courses: 6 units

Students must also take two elective courses (of at least 3 units each) in their area of interest, chosen in consultation with and approved by their Course Guidance Committee. The graduate advisors can provide lists of recommended courses focusing on the behavior and conservation of wild animals, animal management and welfare, ethology and evolutionary bases of animal behavior, and physiological bases of animal behavior.

Recommended Courses and Experience: the following courses are not required, but are strongly recommended:

  • A course in teaching science (e.g. BIS 310, PSC 390A, B)
  • At least one additional course in statistics or modeling (e.g. PBG 231, PSC 120)

Students are also strongly urged to obtain at least 30 contact hours of teaching in courses directly related to the subject of animal behavior. This may include assisting with laboratory or field study courses as well as giving lectures to undergraduates.

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Summary:

There are 26 units required. At least 16 of the 26 units completed for the degree must be taken in graded courses offered at the 200 course level. (Courses in the 300 and 400 series may be accepted if they have been approved for graduate credit.) Graduate students must register for a minimum 12 units per quarter to maintain full-time status.

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