Animal Behavior (ANBE)
The program in animal behavior offers an interdisciplinary major that includes subject matter in biology, chemistry, mathematics, physics, and psychology. The focus is directed toward understanding behavior and providing the student with a background uniting ecological, ethological, environmental, evolutionary, experimental, and physiological approaches to the study of animal life.
During the 50 years that Bucknell University has offered this major, Animal Behavior has been chosen by students seeking a broad background in the natural and social sciences; by those who become researchers; as a background for medical or veterinary science; and, because of the breadth of requirements, by persons filling a variety of positions in commerce, law, and public service.
The major may be pursued under either the bachelor of arts or the bachelor of science programs. The programs differ chiefly in the number of advanced science courses and laboratories. All students are encouraged to seek laboratory and field experiences in addition to required coursework. The Bucknell laboratories, as well as opportunities abroad, are well suited to complement the student’s education. Research culminating in an honors thesis is especially recommended.
Animal behavior majors will fulfill the Culminating Experience requirement by taking ANBE 320 Advanced Topics in Animal Behavior in their senior year. The course is open only to senior Animal Behavior majors and is designed to explore diverse areas and concepts in animal behavior particularly relevant to a student graduating with a degree in Animal Behavior. The course encourages majors to reflect on what they learned over the years and to look to the future for emerging ideas within the field.
Information literacy, formal presentation, and writing goals within the major will be fulfilled when students take ANBE 296 Advanced Methods in Animal Behavior/PSYC 296 Advanced Methods in Animal Behavior and ANBE 320 Advanced Topics in Animal Behavior. In ANBE 296 Advanced Methods in Animal Behavior/PSYC 296 Advanced Methods in Animal Behavior, students conduct experimental research, present their work to the class in a conference-style session, and write their research as a journal-style publication. In so doing, they search the literature to find sources that provide a theoretical basis for their study, develop the hypotheses tested, and instruct the design of their study. In ANBE 320 Advanced Topics in Animal Behavior, students will develop more theoretical and conceptual writing skills by conducting literature searches on topics in animal behavior and synthesizing the material into a review-style paper. Students will present the results of their literature reviews to the class and lead class discussions on selected topics, also enhancing their presentation skills. Although information literacy, formal presentation, and writing goals within the major will be specifically addressed in ANBE 296 Advanced Methods in Animal Behavior/PSYC 296 Advanced Methods in Animal Behavior and ANBE 320 Advanced Topics in Animal Behavior, majors will receive similar training in these skills in many other courses they take as electives and requirements within the major.
Bachelor of Arts
The Bachelor of Arts major consists of the following 11 required courses.
| Animal Behavior core course | ||
| ANBE/BIOL/PSYC 266 | Animal Behavior | 1 |
| Applied Research Methods in Animal Behavior | ||
| ANBE/PSYC 296 | Advanced Methods in Animal Behavior | 1 |
| Biology core courses 1 | ||
| Select three of the following: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Molecules and Cells (strongly recommended) | ||
| Organismal Biology | ||
| Genetics | ||
| Principles of Ecology and Evolution (strongly recommended) | ||
| Psychology core requirements | ||
| PSYC 203 | Learning | 1 |
| PSYC 250 | Biopsychology | 1 |
| Statistics requirement | ||
| PSYC 215 | Psychological Statistics | 1 |
| or MATH 216 | Statistics I | |
| Upper-level animal behavior electives 2 | ||
| Select two of the following: | 2 | |
| Amphibian Biology and Conservation | ||
| Topics in Animal Behavior | ||
| Behavioral Ecology | ||
| Evolution | ||
| Neuroethology | ||
| Tropical Ecology | ||
| Social Insects | ||
| Ornithology | ||
| Primate Behavior and Ecology | ||
| Primate Cognition | ||
| Comparative Cognition | ||
| Wildlife and Emerging Diseases | ||
| Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy | ||
| Mammalogy | ||
| Principles of Physiology | ||
| Neurophysiology | ||
| Endocrinology | ||
| Ecosystem Ecology | ||
| Invertebrate Zoology | ||
| General Entomology | ||
| Systematic Biology | ||
| Advanced Psychological Statistics | ||
| Culminating Experience requirement | ||
| ANBE 320 | Advanced Topics in Animal Behavior | 1 |
| 1 | Students should consult with an academic adviser in animal behavior to determine the most appropriate biology course selections given their academic goals. |
| 2 | Cross-listed courses are indicated. With special permission, other upper-level PSYC/BIOL courses may be considered as electives. |
Bachelor of Science
The Bachelor of Science major consists of the following 17 required courses:
| Animal Behavior core course | ||
| ANBE/BIOL/PSYC 266 | Animal Behavior | 1 |
| Applied Research Methods in Animal Behavior | ||
| ANBE/PSYC 296 | Advanced Methods in Animal Behavior | 1 |
| PSYC 290 | Advanced Methods in Biopsychology | 1 |
| or PSYC 293 | Advanced Methods in Learning | |
| Quantitative requirements 1 | ||
| Select two of the following: | 2 | |
| Advanced Data Analysis in Biology | ||
| Introduction to Computer Science | ||
| Data Structures & Algorithms | ||
| Applied G.I.S. | ||
| Calculus I | ||
| Calculus II | ||
| Calculus III | ||
| Statistics II | ||
| Topics in Applied Mathematics | ||
| Applications of Calculus to Medicine and Biology | ||
| Classical and Modern Physics I | ||
| Classical and Modern Physics II | ||
| Advanced Psychological Statistics | ||
| Biology core courses | ||
| BIOL 205 | Introduction to Molecules and Cells | 1 |
| BIOL 206 | Organismal Biology | 1 |
| BIOL 207 | Genetics | 1 |
| BIOL 208 | Principles of Ecology and Evolution | 1 |
| Psychology core requirements | ||
| PSYC 203 | Learning | 1 |
| PSYC 250 | Biopsychology | 1 |
| Statistics requirement | ||
| MATH 216 | Statistics I | 1 |
| or PSYC 215 | Psychological Statistics | |
| Chemistry requirement | ||
| CHEM 205 | Principles of Chemistry | 1 |
| Upper-level animal behavior electives 2 | ||
| Select three of the following: | 3 | |
| Amphibian Biology and Conservation | ||
| Topics in Animal Behavior | ||
| Behavioral Ecology | ||
| Evolution | ||
| Neuroethology | ||
| Tropical Ecology | ||
| Social Insects | ||
| Ornithology | ||
| Primate Behavior and Ecology | ||
| Primate Cognition | ||
| Comparative Cognition | ||
| Wildlife and Emerging Diseases | ||
| Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy | ||
| Mammalogy | ||
| Principles of Physiology | ||
| Neurophysiology | ||
| Endocrinology | ||
| Ecosystem Ecology | ||
| Invertebrate Zoology | ||
| General Entomology | ||
| Systematic Biology | ||
| Advanced Psychological Statistics 3 | ||
| Culminating Experience requirement | ||
| ANBE 320 | Advanced Topics in Animal Behavior | 1 |
| Total Credits | 17 | |
| 1 | Other quantitative-based courses may be approved with special permission. |
| 2 | Cross-listed courses are indicated. With special permission, other upper-level PSYC/BIOL courses may be considered as electives. |
| 3 | PSYC 324 may not be counted as a 300-level elective if it is used to satisfy the Quantitative Requirement. |
The recommended sequence for the Bachelor of Science major is as follows:
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Credits | Second Semester | Credits |
| ANBE 266 | 1 | BIOL 206 | 1 |
| BIOL 205 | 1 | PSYC 215 or MATH 216 | 1 |
| 2 | 2 | ||
| Sophomore | |||
| First Semester | Credits | Second Semester | Credits |
| BIOL 207 | 1 | BIOL 208 | 1 |
| CHEM 205 | 1 | PSYC 203 or 250 | 1 |
| PSYC 296 or 250 | 1 | ||
| 3 | 2 | ||
| Junior | |||
| First Semester | Credits | Second Semester | Credits |
| Animal behavior elective | 1 | Animal behavior elective | 1 |
| PSYC 203 or 250 | 1 | PSYC 290 or 293 | 1 |
| 2 | 2 | ||
| Senior | |||
| First Semester | Credits | Second Semester | Credits |
| ANBE 320 | 1 | Animal behavior elective | 1 |
| Quantitative elective | 1 | Quantitative elective | 1 |
| 2 | 2 | ||
| Total Credits: 17 | |||
All students are advised to take the biology core courses in sequence, starting with BIOL 205 Introduction to Molecules and Cells. BIOL 208 Principles of Ecology and Evolution serves as the prerequisite for most of the elective courses. Note that one semester of independent research (ANBE 391 Research) or honors credit (ANBE 399 Senior Thesis) may count toward the upper-level electives for the BA or BS.
Off-campus study and research are encouraged. Recent students have studied in Africa, Australia, New Zealand and Ecuador. Other programs in Europe, Asia, South and Central America are also appropriate. Students are advised to explore opportunities through The Office of Global and Off-campus Education (OGOE) and to coordinate off-campus coursework in consultation with a faculty adviser. Many minors complement studies in animal behavior and students are encouraged to explore options within the humanities and social sciences in consultation with a faculty adviser.
Majors in Animal Behavior will:
- Understand evolutionary theory as a unifying construct that brings together teachings of many diverse disciplines.
- Understand the proximate and ultimate bases for behavior (how and why animals behave as they do).
- Understand the process through which scientific information is derived, evaluated, and communicated.
Courses
ANBE 266. Animal Behavior. 1 Credit.
Offered Both Fall and Spring; Lecture hours:3
A survey of important theories, issues, and empirical techniques in the interdisciplinary field of animal behavior emphasizing both proximate and ultimate mechanisms and explanations for behavior. Crosslisted as BIOL 266 and PSYC 266.
ANBE 296. Advanced Methods in Animal Behavior. 1 Credit.
Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:Varies,Other:3; May require dissection or live animal experimentation
Laboratory and/or field research to accompany ANBE 266, BIOL 266, or PSYC 266. Prerequisites: PSYC 215 or MATH 216, PSYC 216 or BIOL 205 and prerequisite or corequisite ANBE 266, BIOL 266, or PSYC 266. Crosslisted as PSYC 296.
ANBE 2NT. Animal Behavior Non-traditional Study. .5-4 Credits.
Offered Fall, Spring, Summer; Lecture hours:Varies; Repeatable
Non-traditional course in Animal Behavior. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor.
ANBE 307. Conservation Genetics. 1 Credit.
Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3,Other:3
As biodiversity has quickly eroded for the past few centuries, some scientists argue that humans are causing the 6th mass extinction event. This course emphasizes the application of population genetics, molecular phylogenetics, and reproductive genetics to answering biological questions in wildlife conservation. Crosslisted as ANBE 607 and BIOL 307 and BIOL 607.
ANBE 314. Amphibian Biology and Conservation. 1 Credit.
Offered Fall Semester Only; Lecture hours:3,Other:3
The biology of amphibians, including classification, physiology, reproduction, ecology, evolution, and conservation. Laboratory section will include identification of amphibians and field work to identify conservation issues surrounding local amphibian populations. Prerequisites: BIOL 206, BIOL 208 and permission of the instructor. Crosslisted as BIOL 314 and BIOL 614 and ANBE 614.
ANBE 319. Topics in Animal Behavior. .5-1 Credits.
Offered Both Fall and Spring; Lecture hours:3; Repeatable
Occasional seminars on selected topics of current interest in animal behavior. Prerequisites: ANBE 266, BIOL 266, or PSYC 266, junior or senior status and permission of the instructor. Crosslisted as ANBE 619.
ANBE 320. Advanced Topics in Animal Behavior. 1 Credit.
Offered Fall Semester Only; Lecture hours:3
Culminating Experience seminar for senior animal behavior majors covering selected topics of current interest in animal behavior. Crosslisted as ANBE 620. Prerequisites: senior animal behavior major status and permission of the instructor.
ANBE 321. Behavioral Ecology. 1 Credit.
Offered Fall Semester Only; Lecture hours:3
How have ecological selection pressures (generated by animals’ biotic and abiotic environments) shaped the fascinating diversity of animal behaviors? Topics include habitat choice, foraging behavior, defenses against predation, cooperation and competition, sexual selection, and parental care. Heavy emphasis on primary literature and experimental design. Prerequisites: BIOL 208 and instructor permission. Crosslisted as ANBE 621, BIOL 321 and BIOL 621.
ANBE 341. Evolution. 1 Credit.
Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3
Survey of evolutionary processes, phenomena, and mechanisms. Topics covered may include natural selection, sexual selection, adaptation, evolutionary constraints, speciation, evolution and development, coevolution, behavioral evolution, and macroevolution. Prerequisites: BIOL 208 and permission of the instructor. Crosslisted as ANBE 641 and BIOL 341 and BIOL 641.
ANBE 342. Neuroethology. 1 Credit.
Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3
A course that integrates neurobiology and behavior in natural contexts. Emphasis on signal detection, recognition, discrimination, localization, orientation, and the control of complex acts. Neuronal and hormonal mechanisms, ontogeny and evolution of behavior will be considered. Prerequisites: BIOL 206 or BIOL 208 and permission of the instructor. Crosslisted as ANBE 342 and ANBE 642 and BIOL 642.
ANBE 354. Tropical Ecology. 1 Credit.
Offered Spring Semester Only; Lecture hours:3
Introduction to tropical ecology including life history strategies of vertebrates and invertebrates, biodiversity management and conservation. Emphasis on class and individual projects, data collection, and journal keeping. Prerequisites: BIOL 208 and permission of the instructor. Crosslisted as ANBE 654 and BIOL 354 and BIOL 654.
ANBE 355. Social Insects. 1 Credit.
Offered Fall Semester Only; Lecture hours:3,Other:3; May require dissection or live animal experimentation
Evolution and genetics of social behavior, caste, communication in foraging and colony defense, queen and worker control over reproduction, social homeostasis, and population dynamics. Occasionally may be taught as a laboratory science. Prerequisites: BIOL 208 and permission of the instructor. Crosslisted as BIOL 355. Juniors and seniors only.
ANBE 356. Plant-Animal Interactions. 1 Credit.
Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3,Other:3
The ecological and evolutionary interactions among plants and animals, covering pollination, herbivory, seed dispersal, human applications, and effects of global change. Crosslisted as BIOL 356, ANBE 656 and BIOL 656.
ANBE 357. Ornithology. 1 Credit.
Offered Occasionally; Lecture hours:3,Other:3
The biology of birds, including evolution, behavior, anatomy, physiology, ecology, and conservation; lab trips focus on identification of birds in the field. Prerequisites: BIOL 206, BIOL 208 and permission of the instructor. Crosslisted as ANBE 657 and BIOL 357 and BIOL 657.
ANBE 370. Primate Behavior and Ecology. 1 Credit.
Offered Fall Semester Only; Lecture hours:3; May require dissection or live animal experimentation
Introduction to research on prosimians, monkeys, and apes with emphasis on the evolutionary origin of diversity, habitat use, social structure, social behavior, and cognitive abilities. Prerequisites: BIOL 122 or BIOL 208 or ANBE 266 or BIOL 266 or PSYC 266 and permission of the instructor. Crosslisted as ANBE 670 and BIOL 370 and BIOL 670 and PSYC 370 and PSYC 670.
ANBE 371. Primate Cognition. 1 Credit.
Offered Alternate Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3; May require dissection or live animal experimentation
An investigation into the cognitive abilities and capacities of nonhuman primates emphasizing a comparative perspective. Prerequisites: ANBE 266 or BIOL 266 or PSYC 266 and permission of the instructor. Crosslisted as ANBE 671 and PSYC 371 and PSYC 671.
ANBE 372. Comparative Cognition. 1 Credit.
Offered Both Fall and Spring; Lecture hours:3
Advanced seminar exploring cognition and behavior from evolutionary and comparative perspectives. Topics will include social behavior, memory, communication, spatial cognition, learning, and meta-cognition. Prerequisites: ANBE 266 or BIOL 266 or PSYC 266 and permission of the instructor. Crosslisted as ANBE 672 and PSYC 372 and PSYC 672.
ANBE 380. SciComm: Communicating Science to Non-Scientists. 1 Credit.
Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3
Seminar covering effective strategies for communicating science to a non-scientific audience. We will use an active community-based approach to gain hands-on experience developing, implementing, and disseminating scientific information to the public. This course is open to all upper level natural science majors. Crosslisted as ANBE 681.
ANBE 391. Research. .5-1 Credits.
Offered Fall, Spring, Summer; Lecture hours:Varies,Other:Varies; Repeatable; May require dissection or live animal experimentation
Independent research, with faculty supervision, in the study of animal behavior. Crosslisted as ANBE 691. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor.
ANBE 399. Senior Thesis. 1 Credit.
Offered Fall, Spring, Summer; Lecture hours:2,Other:10; Repeatable; May require dissection or live animal experimentation
Original research leading to a thesis presentation on a topic related to the study of animal behavior. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor.
ANBE 3NT. Animal Behavior Non-traditional Study. 1-2 Credits.
Offered Fall, Spring, Summer; Lecture hours:Varies,Other:Varies
Non-traditional study in Animal Behavior. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor.
Faculty
Professors: Elizabeth A. Capaldi, Peter G. Judge (Director), Kevin P. Myers (PSYC), DeeAnn M. Reeder (BIOL)
Associate Professors: Z Morgan Benowitz-Fredericks (BIOL), Regina P. Gazes, Mizuki Takahashi (BIOL)