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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.