What is Animal Studies?

Animal Studies as a Major

100

What is the general structure of the Animal Studies Major? 

Interdisciplinary, 10 classes, required double major or additional minor

200

Is the Animal Studies Degree a B.A. or B.S.?

B.A. 

300

What are the required classes for the Animal Studies Major?

Intro to Animal Studies, Statistics, Animal Behavior, Practicum, and Capstone  

400

What are the areas of the Animal Studies Major that allow you to choose your classes? 

Science class, Humanities Society and Culture class, Application class, and two elective classes

500

What are some examples of elective classes that apply to the Animal Studies Major? 

Animal Assisted Therapy, Animal Controversies Seminar, Wild Cat Science, Animals in Law, Animal Ethics, Animals in Religion, etc.

Animal Studies as a Field

100

Erin Frick 

She runs the FAB Lab on campus (Frick Animal Behavior Lab) and her research interests are in animal behavior, animal welfare and conservation, and biopsychology of learning in animal models. She also has experience conducting research with wild animals and animals housed in managed care facilities

200

Sarah Nadler 

Animal-assisted therapist, recruits students on campus to help train her therapy dog in training Orlo, and has led and participated in research studies exploring the individual differences between dogs, dolphins, lemurs, and sea lions, and learned through experience in equine-assisted and dolphin-assisted therapeutic programs

300

Lauren Highfill 

Runs the Eckerd College Comparative Psychology Lad. Research interests include animal personality, comparative cognition, and conservation psychology of different species including elephants, orangutans, and dogs.

400

Erin Kidder 

Conducts research on how we commodify, consume, and care for and about animals in stock shows and rodeos. She also explores the interactions between humans and animals, including how we construct social norms that impact these interactions

500

Tina McMahon Foley

 Head Naturalist at Cape Ann Whale Watch, runs the internship program, collects and contributes data to the Center for Coastal Studies

My Most Valuable Animal Studies Moments

100

Animal Studies + Psychology 

This combination helped me understand the interconnectedness of humans and the natural world and helped generate a sense of deep respect for other non-human animals

200

Mentor Meetings 

I had a place to brainstorm, ask questions, and get direction from people who knew me and the field well

300

Biophilic Self-Actualization 

  Explored my own connection to nature, deepening my respect for our natural world 

400

Animal Controversies Seminar 

 Strengthened my critical thinking skills and emotional communication skills

500

Practicum 

  Found my passion and gained direction for my future 

Animal Studies Post-Grad

100

Possibilities 

Clearwater Marine Aquarium (husbandry/training), Apollo the Bird training, ZooTampa, SPCA education (professor/naturalist), research labs, continuing education

200

Realities 

Never-ending work to be done, a sense of hopelessness to cope with, uneducated people who will act only on emotions, propaganda. Also, joy, spreading a sense of passion and wonder, finding community, and connecting with our natural roots

300

Graduate Programs 

Arizona State University, Blackburn College, North Carolina State University, Oakland University, Rowan College at Burlington County, St. Petersburg College, University of Florida, University of South Florida, and more!

400

Validation 

It is okay if you don’t know what you want to do post-grad. A lot of people figure it out as they go! Animal Studies is such an interdisciplinary field that there is a huge range of things that you can do that will still be relevant on your resume. Experience is everything so just get out there and volunteer, advertise yourself, and have fun!

500

My Dreams

Make my own job at Cape Ann Whale Watch, be a naturalist on a whale watch boat in Hawaii, incorporate lessons and classes about animal cognition and behavior into early education curriculums, speak around the world about animal behavior and cognition, and hopefully change the way things are done