Animal Behavior B.S.

The Center for the Integrative Study of Animal Behavior (CISAB) administers the internationally-recognized academic program in animal behavior for both undergraduate and graduate students. The Animal Behavior B.S. degree is offered within the College of Arts and Sciences.

Animal Behavior is the interdisciplinary study of human and non-human behavior and its relation to other living things and the environment: evolution, ecology, and physiology.

Students pursuing the degree receive specific training in the study of the why and how of animal behavior. They consider the evolutionary and ecological functions of animal behavior, as well as the physiological mechanisms underlying species behaviors.

The curriculum includes traditional lecture and laboratory coursework. In addition, workshop courses allow Animal Behavior majors to interact with experts in basic and applied animal behavior research. This helps you focus your interests and develop the skills needed for pursuing careers in the field. Students also have opportunities to gain hands-on experience through the Animal Behavior internship program.

Students pursuing the degree are encouraged to meet with the Animal Behavior academic advisors, as well as the director of the Center for the Integrative Study of Animal Behavior.

If you are interested in animal behavior but do not wish to pursue the major, the Animal Behavior program also offers a minor and an area certificate. Check your bulletin for more information about the minor and area certificate options.

Coursework

Getting started

Your starting point with the Animal Behavior major is with introductory science courses:

ABEH-A 101 Introduction to Animal Behavior
BIOL-L 111 Foundations of Biology: Diversity, Evolution, and Ecology
BIOL-L 112 Foundations of Biology: Biological Mechanisms
PSY-P 101 Introductory Psychology 1 (or PSY-P 155 Introduction to Psychological & Brain Sciences)

You may also take the required ethics course in your first year, if you wish. REL-R 170 Religion, Ethics, and Public Life or PHIL-P 141 Introduction to Ethical Theories and Problems are popular choices to fulfill the Animal Behavior ethics requirement, although there are other options as well.

As an Animal Behavior major, you have the freedom to take courses from several disciplines. The Animal Behavior B.S. degree does not have official areas of concentration, but students must take courses in each of three perspectives:

Evolutionary/Ecological Perspectives
Environmental/Developmental/Cognitive Perspectives
Mechanisms of Behavior Perspectives

Approved courses are offered through several departments and programs in addition to Animal Behavior, including: Anthropology, Biology, Cognitive Science, Linguistics, Philosophy, Psychological and Brain Sciences, and the O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs.

Tracks and concentrations

The Animal Behavior B.S. does not have official areas of concentration. Instead, students choose courses in each of three perspectives areas, as mentioned above. Some students take a wide variety of approved courses, while others choose to focus mostly on biology, anthropology, or psychology courses within each perspectives area.

Upper level coursework

All Animal Behavior students receive advanced training in experimental approaches to the study of animal behavior, through advanced laboratory and field courses offered through multiple departments.

Upper-level courses allow students the chance to study with faculty in multiple departments. This allows them to study animal behavior from various perspectives: cognitive, conservationist, developmental, ecological, evolutionary, physiological, and psychological.

Students pursuing the degree are required to complete a minimum of 3 credit hours in supervised research or an internship. Students consider this experiential component to be a highlight of the Animal Behavior degree. If you are unable to do an internship or supervised research experience, you may take an additional formal laboratory course instead. Research may be conducted in Animal Behavior, Anthropology, Biology, Chemistry, Cognitive Science, Physics, or Psychological and Brain Sciences.

Commonly pursued majors, minors and certificates

With the help of your academic advisor, you may be able to combine several areas of interest with additional majors, minors, or certificates.

The Explore Programs tool can help you find majors, minors, and certificate programs that fit you and your goals by allowing you to filter by interest area. You might pursue a minor in Sociology, German, Creative Writing, or Atmospheric Science. Other majors, minors, and certificates can be excellent opportunities to build upon and broaden your interests.

Commonly pursued minors for Animal Behavior students include Anthropology, Biology, and Psychology. Check your bulletin for more information about these opportunities.

Enhance your major

Working with faculty

When pursuing a degree in Animal Behavior, you have the opportunity to work with faculty who have expertise and experience in the field. Take advantage of office hours to talk with your instructors about your performance in class, the content of assignments, and how the course helps you work towards your goals.

You can get involved in research as early as your first year. Many incoming first year students apply to the Arts and Sciences Undergraduate Research Experience (ASURE) program. ASURE students experience project-based learning enhanced by a community of supportive faculty and peers. Choose an ASURE path in the arts and humanities, social and historical studies, or natural and mathematical sciences. Consider joining one that will deepen your skills and knowledge in an area related to your major or a different one to become a more well-rounded thinker.

Other undergraduate research programs include the Integrative Freshman Learning Experience (IFLE), Science Technology and Research Scholars (STARS), and the Cox Scholars Program. Students in IFLE begin research the summer before their first semester at IU.

Students and faculty in Animal Behavior are part of an interdepartmental network of resources, including the IU Research and Teaching Preserve, the Center for Genomics and Bioinformatics, the Institute for Pheromone Research, and the Center for the Integrative Study of Animal Behavior (CISAB).

CISAB maintains a common-use Animal Behavior Laboratory within the Department of Biology where students doing supervised research in faculty laboratories have access to state-of-the-art training in molecular, genetic, and endocrine techniques.

Students may also choose to pursue research positions in faculty labs. Through working in a lab, you have the opportunity to participate in cutting-edge research, explore your own research interests, build relationships with faculty members, and gain valuable work and research experience. CISAB faculty members have primary appointments in Anthropology, Biology, Psychological and Brain Sciences, and other departments. They may be contacted directly about research opportunities in their labs.

Students can receive academic credit for their involvement in research. Contact your academic advisor for more information about the ways that you can earn research credit.

Animal Behavior majors have the opportunity to gain teaching experience by becoming an Undergraduate Teaching Assistant (UTA) in Biology or other departments. Introductory courses are often large classes with discussion groups; UTAs help to create a small class atmosphere inside a large course. Students may either earn academic credit or be paid for their UTA experience. Contact your academic advisor for more information about UTA opportunities.

Honors

Outstanding students may earn Honors in Animal Behavior by writing and defending an honors thesis involving their own original research. Students work with a faculty mentor to develop the research project, assemble a thesis committee, and write the thesis.

High-achieving students may be recognized for Academic Excellence in the College of Arts and Sciences, or be eligible for admission to the Hutton Honors College.

Undergraduate scholarships and awards

Animal Behavior students may seek funding for summer research. See the Center for the Integrative Study of Animal Behavior (CISAB) website for more information about summer research opportunities.

Many College departments, such as Anthropology, Biology, and Psychological and Brain Sciences, offer scholarships and awards. Contact these departments for additional information.

Students are also encouraged to explore additional scholarships by logging in to the IU Scholarships task in One.IU.

Internships

Internships offer you a chance to develop both technical and transferable skills while making vital professional contacts with others in the field. Many students begin exploring internship opportunities, including overseas study programs with internships, as early as their first year.

The Center for the Integrative Study of Animal Behavior (CISAB) internship in Animal Behavior allows students to receive academic credit for experiences at partner organizations such as:

In addition to CISAB's established partner organizations, Animal Behavior students are encouraged to explore internship opportunities through Handshake, the platform that connects students and employers. Handshake is also where students can make an appointment with a career coach, attend virtual career fairs, and apply for internship credit.

The Walter Center for Career Achievement offers scholarships to eligible College of Arts & Sciences students to help defray costs associated with completing internships. Animal Behavior students are encouraged to apply!

Learn more about internships, including the possibility of receiving credit and scholarships, through the Walter Center for Career Achievement, where you'll find many resources for both domestic and international internships.

Foreign language study

As one of the premier institutions in the U.S. for the study of languages, IU Bloomington offers courses and resources in over 80 languages.

Below is a sampling of language study resources available to students at IU Bloomington:

Overseas study

Study abroad is an important part of undergraduate education in our increasingly interconnected world. Animal Behavior students often pursue language study and other coursework through the following programs:

Some students choose an overseas program where they can find science courses that can be used to fulfill the requirements of the Animal Behavior major. Others study abroad as a way to earn credit toward an additional language major or minor, or choose courses that fulfill General Education or College of Arts and Sciences requirements.

Learn more about study abroad opportunities and locations through conversation with Animal Behavior faculty, your academic advisor, and through the Office of Overseas Study.

Student groups

Explore beINvolved to connect with any of the 750+ student organizations that already exist, or to start a new one. Student organizations include:

Residential Programs and Services at IU offers a variety of learning communities that allow students to choose to live among peers with a common interest. Some of the following learning communities may be of interest to Animal Behavior students:

For a complete list of Living-Learning Centers and Thematic Communities, visit the Residential Programs and Services at IU website.

Volunteer opportunities

There are numerous opportunities for volunteer engagement, allowing you to give back to the local community while developing useful job skills. The organizations below can help you connect with others from the university and beyond:

Sign up to receive weekly emails from the Bloomington Volunteer Network to learn about local opportunities and organizations.

Professional organizations

Professional organizations you may want to investigate include:

Use the Indiana University Library system to search Associations Unlimited, an online directory of associations, professional societies, nonprofit organizations, and much more.

Build your skills

Through the major

The major in Animal Behavior provides you with a set of skills and qualities that are relevant and transferable to many areas of study and work. These include:

Knowledge of foundational biological concepts
Experience in modern lab techniques, with individualized training and consultation
Training in specific lab techniques, including sample preparation, hormone extraction, enzyme immunoassays, EIA/ELISA, DNA/RNA extraction, PCR, gel electrophoresis, and cDNA preparation
Opportunities to design experiments, collect data, and use quantitative reasoning to analyze, interpret, and present data
Participation in collaborative interactions to analyze data and solve problems

Through a College of Arts and Sciences degree

Your coursework provides many opportunities to develop the following five foundational skills that will serve you well in every career path:

Question critically
Think logically
Communicate clearly
Act creatively
Live ethically

These foundational skills will aid you in landing your first job and advancing professionally throughout your working life. Not only are these the skills that employers say they value most in the workplace, they provide the best preparation for lifelong success in a world of complexity, uncertainty, and change.

Skills desired by employers

Each year, the National Association of Colleges and Employers asks employers what key skills and qualities they are looking for in recent college graduates.

The following are some of the most commonly desired attributes across many employment sectors:

As you explore various career fields, pay attention to specific job descriptions and requirements. If there are areas where your skills or knowledge are lacking, talk with your academic advisor and career coach about how you can develop in those areas while you are at Indiana University.

Your academic advisor and career coach can also help you find ways to strengthen and deepen the knowledge you already have, becoming more prepared for whatever path you select after your college career.

Launch your career

Plan your search

A good starting point for exploring your career options is an appointment with your career coach.

The Walter Center for Career Achievement offers job search resources, career courses, job fairs, information about internships and full-time jobs, and help with social media networking through professional organizations. Get advice about how to write your resume, ask for letters of recommendation from faculty and workplace supervisors, and prepare for job interviews, too.

Explore and enroll in Career Communities to learn more about industries relevant to your interests. These offer unique information about each field, including alumni spotlights, opportunities and resources, and in-person events.

Maximize your career preparation with a career course. Animal Behavior majors should consider enrolling in ASCS-Q 296 College to Career II: Navigate Your Arts and Sciences Experience. The section dedicated to Natural and Mathematical Sciences provides the opportunity for you to explore the relationship between your field of study and life after graduation, while developing an academic and career development plan for post-collegiate success. If you are considering continuing your studies after graduation, you may wish to enroll instead in the section dedicated to graduate school preparation. Regardless of the section you select, you will leave the class with your resume, a cover letter, and a LinkedIn profile ready to go!

The job market

A Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Behavior provides you with a diverse set of skills and depth of knowledge, preparing you for work in a variety of industries and work environments. Initial and long-term destinations for graduates include positions in many job sectors: research, education, business, industry, parks, museums, veterinary medicine, and government.

With increased focus on job growth in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) fields, there are many job opportunities for students with analytical, critical thinking, and research skills.

Animal Behavior majors may become researchers, teachers, lab managers, wildlife and conservation officers, and veterinary assistants, among other careers.

Want to see where your fellow majors go right after graduating from IU? Check out the Walter Center’s First Destinations survey!

Need more ideas? The Occupational Outlook Handbook from the Bureau of Labor Statistics offers career information about hundreds of occupations.

Talk with Animal Behavior faculty, your academic advisor, your career coach, and other students to gain insights into the career paths taken by graduates with this degree.

Post-graduate short-term experiences

After graduation, a short-term experience or internship can help you make connections, gain life skills, and assess your interest in future careers. Talk with your career coach, and use these and other resources to find opportunities that are a good fit with your educational experience and career goals:

Teaching positions give you a chance to hone language and communication skills. Find international English teaching jobs through organizations such as the Center for International Education Exchange, the Institute of International Education, and LanguageCorps.

Fellowships for post-graduate study

Fellowships are temporary opportunities to conduct research, work in a field, or fund your education. Most opportunities can be found through universities, non-profits, and government organizations.

Good resources for finding fellowship opportunities include:

Graduate and professional study

When applying to graduate or professional schools, you'll need letters of recommendation from faculty members who are familiar with your work. Make a practice of attending office hours early in your academic career, to get to know your professors and discuss your options for advanced study in the field.

Some jobs in animal behavior require only a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree. However, many careers in animal behavior require advanced degrees, such as a Master of Arts or Science (M.A., M.S.), a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), or a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M.). Earning an advanced degree requires a strong undergraduate background: good grades, high motivation, hard work, and intelligence.

Students considering graduate school should plan ahead during their undergraduate experience. An Animal Behavior B.S. degree will prepare you for entry into graduate programs in a wide variety of fields, such as research, education, and wildlife management. With careful planning, and in consultation with the Health Professions and Prelaw Center, you could also prepare to enter law school, medical school, veterinary school, or other professional programs.

Students who pursue graduate studies in Animal Behavior have gone into careers with top academic and research institutions, government and private research institutions, zoos, conservation groups, museums, and veterinary medicine.

Here are examples of graduate programs offered at IU:

Alumni connections

CISAB publishes an Animal Behavior Bulletin once a year. Signing up to receive the Animal Behavior Bulletin is a great way to stay in touch with Animal Behavior at IU. The Bulletin includes information related to special events, general activities offered by CISAB, internships completed by Animal Behavior students, highlights of current research being conducted at IU, the annual CISAB Animal Behavior conference, and upcoming national and international conferences relevant to the study of animal behavior.

The IU College of Arts and Sciences has thousands of active alumni. Check out the College Luminaries program, which connects students with the College's most influential, successful, and inspiring alumni.

Join the Walter Center Success Network to remain in touch, network directly with College of Arts and Sciences Alumni, and let others know where your path takes you.

Is it for you?

If you are interested in ecology, zoology, or evolution; wildlife management, conservation or rehabilitation; animal training; veterinary medicine; or careers in zoos, aquariums, or natural history museums, this degree might be a good choice for you.

The Animal Behavior B.S. degree attracts students from a variety of backgrounds and interests. They typically have some of the following qualities:

A desire to work with animals, approaching the study of their behavior from a scientific perspective
Interest in interdisciplinary studies, particularly among anthropology, biology, cognitive science, neuroscience, and psychology
A fascination with comparative studies of the behavior of human and non-human animals
Curiosity regarding how genes, physiology, and the environment influence behavior
Passion for conservation and environmental issues

There are numerous career paths to explore if you earn an Animal Behavior B.S. degree. Many students plan to attend graduate school to continue their research or obtain advanced degrees in fields such as wildlife conservation. Others wish to work in a setting with animals or pursue a program in veterinary medicine. Students who plan to attend veterinary school must complete additional prerequisite courses to fulfill their requirements.

Learn more

Contact one of the Animal Behavior academic advisors and schedule an appointment to explore your options.

Complete information about the requirements of the Animal Behavior degree can be found in the College of Arts and Sciences Bulletin.

Department website: https://animalbehavior.indiana.edu/
Advisor email address: abehadv@iu.edu