Animal Behavior,
Ecology & Conservation

Courses & Curriculum

The Animal Behavior, Ecology and Conservation major (ABEC) program of study combines lectures with hands-on learning experiences in both required and elective courses. The offerings are broad ranging so that the student has the opportunity to sample widely in the discipline, or to concentrate thoroughly in specific areas of interest. Students are encouraged to participate in research projects and internships that will allow them to relate their coursework lessons to real world situations.  

Major Requirements - 15 courses:

Plus any eight from the following:

The ABEC major offers broad training on topics related to the nature of animals, their behavioral ecology, and mankind’s relationship to them. It is designed for students who wish to engage in a rigorous course of study in behavioral biology, while critically examining issues pertaining to animal welfare and wildlife conservation. A central theme underlying this program is the use of scientific knowledge about animal behavior for the benefit of the other species with which we share the planet.  

This background serves as solid preparation for:  

1. Graduate studies in animal behavior and conservation biology
2. Zoo based employment 
3. Animal training 
4. University animal welfare compliance
5. Companion animal evaluation and welfare 
6. Animal advocacy (wildlife conservation)

The program of study combines lectures with hands-on learning experiences in both its required and elective courses. The courses are broad ranging so that the student has the opportunity to sample widely in the discipline, or to concentrate thoroughly in specific areas of interest. Students are strongly encouraged to participate in research projects and internships that will allow them to relate their coursework to real world situations.  

Animal Behavior, Ecology and Conservation Curriculum

1. Core Curriculum Requirements: 
View the Core Curriculum requirements.  All students complete these requirements as part of their overall Canisius education.

2 . ABEC Major:  15 courses

3.  Free electives:
Free electives are courses in addition to the Core Curriculum and major requirements sufficient to reach a minimum of 120 credit hours for graduation. Students may graduate with more but not fewer than 120 credit hours. 

Minors

The ABEC program offers three minors for students who wish to concentrate in specific areas:  

The Anthrozoology Minor (six courses)
The Anthrozoology minor is designed for students who want to concentrate on mankind’s relationships with other animal species. This minor is open to any student from any major. 

One required course:

ABEC 319 Anthrozoology

Plus any five of the following:

ABEC 318 Applied Animal Behavior
ABEC 330 Animals, Public Policy, & the Law
ABEC 490 Canisius Ambassadors for Conservation
ABEC 491 Internship 1 (if in Anthrozoology field)
ABEC 495 Research Seminar (if Anthrozoology Project)
BIO 320 Conservation Biology
BIO 350 Zoo Biology
ENG 285 Writing and Animal Studies: Representations in Film and Literature
PHI 245 Animal Ethics
PHI 348 Environmental Ethics
RST 321 Religious Perspectives on Animals

The courses in this minor may be taken independently of the others and in any order. Interested students usually begin with the course that best fits their schedule. Most of the courses are offered every other year, so interested students should plan accordingly. 

The Zoo Biology Minor (six courses)
The Zoo Biology minor is designed for students who want training relevant to careers associated with captive exotic animals. This minor is open to any student from any major.

One required course:

BIO 350 Zoo Biology

Plus any five of the following:

ABEC 491 Internship1 (if zoo/aquarium based)
ABEC 492 Internship2 (if zoo/aquarium based)
ABEC 250 Zoo Animal Husbandry
ABEC 318 Applied Animal Behavior
ABEC 360 Research Methods in Animal Behavior
ABEC 495 Research Seminar (if zoo-based Project)
BIO 110 Zoo Nutrition
BIO 312 Primatology
BIO 316 Social Organization of Mammals
BIO 325 Reproductive Biopsychology

The courses in this minor may be taken independently of the others and in any order. Interested students usually begin with the course that best fits their schedule. Most of the courses are offered every other year, so interested students should plan accordingly. 

The Animal Behavior Minor (six courses)
The Animal Behavior minor is designed for students who want to concentrate on animal behavior as a topic of study. This minor is open to students from majors other than ABEC.

One required course:

ABEC 215 Comparative Animal Behavior

Plus any five of the following:

ABEC 220 Animal Learning
ABEC 318 Applied Animal Behavior
ABEC 360 Research Methods in Animal Behavior
ABEC 404 Wildlife and Ecology in South Africa
ABEC 491 Internship 1 (if animal behavior project)
ABEC 492 Internship 2 (if animal behavior project)
ABEC 495 Research Seminar (if animal behavior project)
BIO 166 Biology of Birds (or BIO366 Ornithology)
BIO 312 Primatology
BIO 316 Social Organization of Mammals
BIO 317 Sex, Evolution and Behavior
BIO 325 Reproductive Biopsychology
BIO 355 Behavioral Neuroscience
BIO 371 Behavioral Ecology

The courses in this minor may be taken independently of the others and in any order. Interested students usually begin with the course that best fits their schedule. Most of the courses are offered every other year, so interested students should plan accordingly.

COURSES:  2011-2013

BIO 111  Introductory Biology 1      4 credits
Intra- and inter-specific interactions between organisms, interactions between organisms and their environment, and mechanisms of evolutionary change and speciation.  (Lab required)

BIO 112  Introductory Biology 2         4 credits
Introduction to principles governing biological processes at the organismal level in plants and animals. Function of organisms is stressed. (Lab required)

MAT 141  Inferential Statistics (or PSY201 Behavioral Statistics)  3 credits
Descriptive statistics, probability, sampling distributions, hypothesis testing and inferential statistics.  

ABEC 215 Comparative Animal Behavior  3 credits
Behavior across a wide range of species. Similarities and contrasts allow deductions regarding mechanisms and evolution. 

BIO 320  Conservation Biology          3 credits
Study of the plight of endangered species, the biological consequences of fragmented populations, and scientific bases of habitat/species restoration.

PHI 245  Animal Ethics               3 credits
The philosophical principals underlying concerns for animal welfare/animal rights. Application to real-world examples is stressed.  

RST 229  Religious Perspectives on Animals       3 credits
Comparative survey of mankind’s religious perspectives on other species.  

ABEC 220  Animal Learning with lab      4 credits
Animal learning and memory research with emphasis on practical animal training.  (Lab required)

ABEC 250  Zoo Animal Husbandry          3 credits
Modern practices in the management of exotic species in captivity.  

ABEC 251 Zoo Animal Management     3 credits
Modern practices in zoo mission implementation.  

ABEC 318  Applied Animal Behavior      3 credits
Application of scientific knowledge about animal behavior in problem solving related to human management of companion animals and zoo animals. Application to veterinary and conservation related conditions included.  

ABEC 319  Anthrozoology                3 credits
The scientific study of mankind’s relationship with other species.  Themes include companion animals, animal welfare and wildlife conservation.

ABEC 330 Animals, Public Policy, and the Law      3 credits
The study of how laws and public policy encompass the interests of animals, and the ways in which we humans deal with other being.  

ABEC 350  Zoo Biology          4 credits
The roles of zoos in conservation, education, and research.  Environmental, genetic, nutritional and behavioral factors in the management of captive animal populations and species survival plans.  

ABEC 360 Research Methods in Animal Behavior        3 credits
Study of the principal procedures used in animal behavior research.  Each student conducts own project at Buffalo Zoo.  

ABEC 404 Wildlife and Ecology in South Africa        3 credits
Study of primate communities in South African highlands and their relationships with the other organisms with which they share their habitats.  

ABEC 490  Canisius Ambassadors for Conservation          3 credits
Field study of endangered species and ecology, followed by educational outreach to school and public audiences.  

ABEC 491  Internship 1     3 credits
Internship in animal-related setting. Joint supervision by faculty and agency personnel. Application of classroom lessons to real-world situations.  

ABEC 492  Internship 2     3 credits
Advanced internship in animal-related setting. Joint supervision by faculty and agency personnel. Application of classroom lessons to real-world situations.  (completion of ABEC491 required as prerequisite)

ABEC 495  Research Seminar     3 credits
Independent animal-focused research conducted under the supervision of a faculty member. 

BIO 110 Animal Nutrition    3 credits
Principles of nutrition as it applies in practice to health, husbandry and reproduction of non-human animals.

BIO 166 Biology of Birds (or BIO366 Ornithology)     3-4 credits
Phylogenetic relationships, ecology, natural history and behavior of birds. World-wide diversity and local species. Field techniques.  

BIO 312 Primatology         3 credits
Phylogeny, taxonomy and behavioral biology of prosimians, monkeys, apes and humans.  

BIO 316  Social Organization of Mammals              4 credits
Behavior and social structure of rodents, felines, canines, cetaceans, elephants, monkeys, apes and humans.  (lab required)

BIO 317  Sex, Evolution and Behavior            3 credits
Reproductive behavior of diverse animal species from an evolutionary perspective. Focus is on how evolutionary accounts explain male-female differences in life style and behavior.  

BIO 320  Field Ecology    4 credits
Introduction to the flora, fauna and physical characteristics of regional ecosystems, with emphasis on field methods and application of ecological theory.  (lab required)

BIO 325  Reproductive Biopsychology  3 credits
Neuro-endocrine mechanisms underlying behavior associated with sex, pregnancy, and parental care. Equal focus on human and non-human behavior.  

BIO 343  Entomology    4 credits
Introduction to the diversity and natural history of insects, with emphasis on identification of species.  (lab required)

BIO 372 Evolution         3 credits
Principles of natural selection and the history of phylogenetic descent.  

BIO 355  Behavioral Neuroscience   3 credits
Functions of the nervous/endocrine systems in mediating motivation, movement, sensation, ingestion, aggression, emotion, sleep, learning, memory, thought and behavior disorders.  

BIO 365  Vertebrate Zoology    4 credits
The biology of the vertebrates, including anatomy, evolution, ecology, natural history and behavior.  (lab required) 

BIO 370  Ecology    3 credits
Focus on the complex interactions between diverse species and their environments. Adaptations and interdependency of organisms.  

BIO 371  Behavioral Ecology    3 credits
Behavioral adaptations and interactions within and among species of animals within the context of ecological considerations.  

BIO 372 Evolution         3 credits
Principles of natural selection and the history of phylogenetic descent.  

ENG 285 Writing and Animal Studies: Representations in Film and Literature
Review of the important roles that non-human animals play in our literary culture. 

PHI 348  Environmental Ethics    3 credits
Examination of various theories of environmental ethics that threat the issue of what ethical responsibilities human being ought to have in their relationship with the natural world.