Animal Behavior, Ecology, and Conservation (BS)
Chair: Sue Margulis, PhD (Fall 2022); Malini Suchak, PhD (Spring 2023)
Introduction
The Animal Behavior, Ecology, and Conservation Program combines the rigorous scientific study of Animal Behavior with a values-focused curriculum in the liberal arts tradition. It is for students who want to thoroughly understand the facts and theoretical underpinnings of animal behavior and who want to use that understanding to promote animal welfare and wildlife conservation.
Qualifications
Students must maintain a 2.0 GPA in their major and a 2.0 overall average to graduate with a degree in Animal Behavior, Ecology, and Conservation.
Advisement
All students should have an advisor in the major and should contact the department directly to have an advisor assigned if they do not already have one. Meetings with academic advisors are required prior to students receiving their PIN for course registration each semester. All majors should work closely with their advisor in discussing career expectations, choosing their major electives, developing their entire academic program and planning their co-curricular or supplemental academic experiences.
Double Majors
Students who wish to expand their educational opportunities may decide to declare a double major. This decision may be based on career goals, planned graduate studies, and/or other student interests. Before a student declares a double major, it is important to meet with the appropriate academic departments for advisement. In order to declare a double major, the student must complete the Major/Minor Declaration form. This form will be submitted electronically and reviewed and approved by each department chairperson as well as the appropriate associate dean.
Per college policy, each additional major requires a minimum of 15 credits that do not apply to the student's first or subsequent major. Some double major combinations can be completed within the minimum 120 credit hour degree requirement, but in other cases additional course work may be required. Please note that students will receive only one degree unless the complete the dual degree requirement including at least 150 undergraduate credit hours, regardless of the number of majors they complete. Both (all) majors appear on a student’s transcript.
Minors in Other Disciplines
Minors provide students the opportunity to pursue additional interests but generally do not require as many courses as a major. Minors generally range from five to eight required courses. To receive a minor, the student must complete at least 9 credit hours of coursework distinct from their other credentials (i.e., majors, other minors). The complete list of minors is available on the Canisius website and in the catalog and provides links to each minor. Some majors and minors can be completed within the minimum 120 credit hour degree requirement, but in some cases additional coursework may be required. Students must complete the appropriate minor request form.
BEC majors often choose to pursue one or more of the following minors offered within the department: anthrozoology minor, conservation minor, and zoo biology minor. Additionally, ABEC majors interested in informal education should consider the education minor offered in the School of Education and Human Services.
Major Experiences
Many elective courses involve travel, field work, and/or service. The department also offers numerous internship opportunities. Students are encouraged to participate in these experiences.
Curriculum
An Ignatian Foundation
All undergraduate students must complete either the Canisius Core Curriculum or the All-College Honors Curriculum. Many schools refer to their college-wide undergraduate requirements as "general education" requirements. We believe that the core curriculum and the honors curriculum are more than a series of required classes; they provide the basis for a Jesuit education both with content and with required knowledge and skills attributes that are central to our mission.
Free Electives
Students may graduate with a bachelor's degree with more but not less than 120 credit hours. Free electives are courses in addition to the Canisius Core Curriculum or All-College Honors Curriculum and major requirements sufficient to reach the minimum number of credits required for graduation. The number of credits required to complete a bachelor's degree may vary depending on the student's major(s) and minor(s).
Major Requirements
The ABEC major requires 7 courses, plus a total of 24 additional credits from elective courses:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ABEC 101 | Introductory Animal Behavior I | 3 |
| ABEC 102 | Introductory Animal Behavior II | 3 |
| BIO 111 & 111L | Introductory Biology I and Introductory Biology Laboratory I | 4 |
| BIO 112 & 112L | Introductory Biology II and Introductory Biology Laboratory II | 4 |
| Select one of the following conservation courses: | 3 | |
| Conservation Biology | ||
| Conservation Behavior | ||
| Conservation Education | ||
| Select one of the following math courses: | 3-4 | |
| Statistics for Social Sciences | ||
| Inferential Statistics and Computers for Science | ||
| Basic Statistics for Behavioral Sciences | ||
| PHI 245 | Animal Ethics | 3 |
| Major Electives (chosen from the list below) | 24 | |
| Total Credits | 47-48 | |
Major Electives
Twenty four credits must derive from the following electives:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ABEC 216 | Topics in Animal Behavior | 3 |
| ABEC 217 | Connecting ABEC to the Wider World | 3 |
| ABEC 219 | Diversity of Life | 3 |
| ABEC 220 & 220L | Animal Learning and Animal Learning Lab | 4 |
| ABEC 250 | Zoo Animal Husbandry | 1 |
| ABEC 251 | Zoo Animal Management | 3 |
| ABEC 301 | Research Participation (credit) | 1 |
| ABEC 320 & 320L | Applied Dog Behavior and Applied dog behavior lab | 4 |
| ABEC 332 | Animal Welfare | 3 |
| ABEC 333 | Conservation Behavior | 3 |
| ABEC 335 | Conservation Education | 3 |
| ABEC 339 | Animal Enrichment | 3 |
| ABEC 340 | Research Methods in Animal Behavior | 3 |
| ABEC 341 | Urban Ecology | 3 |
| ABEC 341L | Urban Ecology Lab (optional) | 1 |
| ABEC 343 | Zoogeography | 3 |
| ABEC 345 | Herpetology | 3 |
| ABEC 345L | Herpetology Lab | 1 |
| ABEC 346 | Integrative Behavior | 3 |
| ABEC 347 | Avian Conservation and Management | 3 |
| ABEC 351 | Zoo Exhibitry | 1 |
| ABEC 360 | Observational Research Methods | 4 |
| ABEC 370 | Animal Cognition | 3 |
| ABEC 402 | Desert Conservation | 1 |
| ABEC 403 | Tropical Ecology | 3 |
| ABEC 404 | Wildlife Ecology and Conservation in Africa | 3 |
| ABEC 405 | Biocultural Diversity Conservation in Costa Rica | 3 |
| ABEC 491 | Internship 1 | 3 |
| ABEC 492 | Internship 2 | 3 |
| ABEC 495 | Independent Research | 3 |
| BIO 301 | Research Methods (credit) | 1 |
| BIO 312 | Primatology | 3 |
| BIO 317 | Sex, Evolution and Behavior | 3 |
| BIO 320 & 320L | Field Ecology and Field Ecology Lab | 4 |
| BIO 322 | Conservation Biology | 3 |
| BIO 343 & 343L | Entomology and Entomology Lab | 4 |
| BIO 357 | Evolution | 3 |
| BIO 364 | Zoology: Diversity of Animal Life | 3 |
| BIO 366 | Ornithology | 3-4 |
| or BIO 166 | Biology of Birds | |
| BIO 375 | Community Ecology | 3 |
| BIO 375L | Community Ecology Laboratory (optional) | 1 |
| BIO 377 & 377L | Freshwater Biology and Freshwater Biology Laboratory | 4 |
| BIO 378 | Wetlands | 3 |
| BIO 378L | Wetlands Laboratory (optional) | 1 |
| EVST 235 | Environmental Policy | 3 |
Roadmap
Recommended Semester Schedule for Major Course Requirements:
| Freshman | |
|---|---|
| Fall | Spring |
| ABEC 101 | ABEC 102 |
| BIO 111 & 111L | BIO 112 & 112L |
| Sophomore | |
| Fall | Spring |
| BIO 317 (recommended) | PHI 245 |
| ABEC 217 (may be taken in fall or spring) | ABEC 219 (recommended) |
| Math course (choose one of the following) | |
| Junior | |
| Fall | Spring |
| ABEC elective | ABEC elective |
| ABEC elective | ABEC elective |
| Conservation course (may be taken either semester in junior year) | Conservation course (may be taken either semester in junior year) |
| Senior | |
| Fall | Spring |
| ABEC elective | ABEC elective |
Learning Goals & Objectives
Student Learning Goal 1
Students will demonstrate factual knowledge and theoretical understanding in the field of animal behavior.
Students will:
Objective A: Demonstrate mastery of topics: animal phylogeny-taxonomy, evolution of behavior, proximate causes of behavior, and anthropogenic impacts on non-human animals and the environment
Objective B: Separate observations from inferences
Student Learning Goal 2
Students will demonstrate practical knowledge and appropriate application of animal behavior and conservation in two of the following settings: domestic animals, captive wildlife, free-ranging wildlife
Students will:
Objective A: Generate realistic and effective solutions to simulated behavior problems in captive or domestic animals
Objective B: Generate realistic and effective solutions to simulated conservation problems
Objective C: Critically evaluate ethical implications of use or management of non-human animals
Student Learning Goal 3
Students will demonstrate scientific literacy and communication about
science in written or oral form
Students will:
Objective A: Critically evaluate primary literature
Objective B: Interpret data
Objective C: Clearly articulate scientific ideas, concepts, and controversies
Minors
The ABEC program offers four minors for students who wish to concentrate in specific areas:
For the ABEC minors, courses 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.
Additionally, the ABEC department contributes to the Education Minor. ABEC majors with an interest in informal education may be interested in this minor. This minor does not lead to teacher certification.
Minors are an important part of the undergraduate curriculum. If students declare a minor by sophomore year, they can usually complete it in a timely manner. Students should work with their advisor to determine if it is possible that the minor can be completed by graduation.
To receive a minor, a student must complete at least 9 credit hours of coursework distinct from their major(s) and from other minors, and students must complete more than 50% of the coursework required for the minor at Canisius. Please note that “ancillary/supporting” courses required for a major may still count as distinct courses as long as the remaining coursework still meets the 30 credit-hours required for a major. For more information about minor policies, please see the Declaring Majors and Minors page in the catalog.
Courses
ABEC 101 Introductory Animal Behavior I 3 Credits
This course covers a broad overview of animal behavior, from the ideas and theories that have shaped the field to basic approaches used to study behavior. We will discuss behavior from a variety of animals, ranging from insects to mammals (including humans!). Special attention will be given to examining the research that shapes the field.
Offered: every fall.
ABEC 102 Introductory Animal Behavior II 3 Credits
Foundational evolutionary and ecological theories in Animal Behavior. Explore key behaviors that lead to an animal’s survival including foraging, mating, habitat selection, and social behavior as well as methods to study animal behavior. Also compare animal behavior in the news to the scientific literature
Offered: every spring.
ABEC 216 Topics in Animal Behavior 3 Credits
Topics in animal behavior will cover varying subdisciplines within animal behavior to offer students an in-depth learning experience. Topics may include areas such as companion animal care, wildlife rehabilitation, captive management, and educating about wildlife.
Prerequisite: ABEC101 or ABEC102.
Offered: occasionally.
ABEC 217 Connecting ABEC to the Wider World 3 Credits
This course aims to introduce and explore the many ways that a degree in Animal Behavior, Ecology, and Conservation (including the four minor areas of Anthrozoology, Animal Behavior, Conservation, and Zoo Biology) is beneficial across a variety of professions. Through readings, discussion and interviews with professionals at various stages of their careers, students will learn how to leverage their academic experience in pursuit of a successful professional career.
Prerequisite: ABEC 101 or ABEC 102 (may be taken concurrently).
Offered: occasionally.
ABEC 219 Diversity of Life 3 Credits
Explore the immense diversity of life from an evolutionary perspective. This course will focus on the characteristics and ecological functions of the major groups of prokaryotes, protists, plants, fungi, and animals.
Prerequisite: ABEC 101 and ABEC 102 (may be taken concurrently).
Offered: once a year.
ABEC 220 Animal Learning 3 Credits
Animal learning and memory research with emphasis on practical animal training. Lab required.
Prerequisites: ABEC 101 & ABEC 102. Corequisite: ABEC 220L.
Offered: every spring.
ABEC 220L Animal Learning Lab 1 Credit
Required animal learning lab that emphasizes practical animal training.
Prerequisites: ABEC 101 & ABEC 102. Corequisite: ABEC 220.
Offered: every spring.
ABEC 250 Zoo Animal Husbandry 1 Credit
Topics in animal husbandry in the zoo setting. Focus is on the specific needs of different taxonomic groups, environmental management, veterinary monitoring, nutrition, and programming.
Prerequisites: ABEC 101 & ABEC 102.
Offered: Spring of odd-numbered years.
ABEC 251 Zoo Animal Management 3 Credits
Modern practices in zoo mission implementation. Focus on managing many facets of zoos: individual animals, populations of animals, visitors, research, education, staff, and budgets. The course is highly project-based and involves considerable group work and participation.
Prerequisites: ABEC 101 & ABEC 102.
Offered: every spring.
ABEC 300 Research Participation no credit 0 Credits
Recognition for ABEC research assistants, does not carry and credits.
Restriction: permission of instructor.
Offered: every semester.
ABEC 301 Research Participation (credit) 1 Credit
Recognition for ABEC research assistants. Can be taken up to 3 times for major elective credit; more than three times credit is free-elective.
Restriction: permission of instructor.
Offered: every semester.
ABEC 320 Applied Dog Behavior 3 Credits
Application of domestic dog behavior and learning theory principles to dog training. Building on concepts from ABEC 220, students will create and implement humane training plans to address common dog behavior issues in the home. This experiential learning course includes hands-on training activities with shelter dogs and community-owned dogs. Lab required.
Prerequisite: ABEC 220. Corequisite: ABEC 320L.
Offered: once a year.
ABEC 320L Applied dog behavior lab 1 Credit
Application of domestic dog behavior and learning theory principles to dog training. Building on concepts from ABEC 220, students will create and implement humane training plans to address common dog behavior issues in the home. This experiential learning course includes hands-on training activities with shelter dogs and community-owned dogs. ABEC 320 lecture required.
Prerequisite: ABEC 220. Corequisite: ABEC 320.
Offered: once a year.
ABEC 332 Animal Welfare 3 Credits
This course will examine critical debates and controversies surrounding our care and use of animals. We will use a case study approach, and use scientific research to evaluate real world issues in animal welfare. The case studies will cover companion animals, wildlife, zoo animals, and animals used in agriculture and research. This course involves significant writing.
Prerequisite: ABEC 101 & ABEC 102. Restriction: juniors and seniors only.
Offered: every spring.
ABEC 333 Conservation Behavior 3 Credits
How human activity has altered the planet and how those modifications affect the behavior of animals. Review of key principles through the lens of Behavioral Ecology in regards to species requirements for survival, major threats to species existence, and conservation solutions to reduce those threats. Identification of positive human behavior for conservation outcomes.
Prerequisites: ABEC 101 & ABEC 102.
Offered: every fall.
ABEC 335 Conservation Education 3 Credits
Applying the theories and principles of conservation pyschology to education in informal settings (zoos, aquariums, wildlife refuge). Assessing attitude and behavioral outcomes of conservatin education programs.
Prerequisites: ABEC 101 & ABEC 102. Restriction: juniors and seniors only.
Offered: most fall semesters.
ABEC 339 Animal Enrichment 3 Credits
This course emphasizes the roll of enrichment in various contexts (laboratory, shelter, and zoo). Multiple opportunities to design and implement enrichment are provided. The course uses the S-P-I-D-E-R framework for enrichment design and effectiveness.
Prerequisites: ABEC 101 & ABEC 102.
Offered: spring of even-numbered years.
ABEC 340 Research Methods in Animal Behavior 3 Credits
Observational and experimental research methods commonly used in studies of wild, captive, and domesticated animals. Evaluate peer-reviewed journal articles, research questions and hypotheses, collect behavioral data in observational and experimental contexts, and analyze and interpret data.
Prerequisites: ABEC 101, ABEC 102, & one of the following: MAT 131, MAT 141, or PSY 202.
Fulfills College Core: Advanced Writing-Intensive
Offered: every fall.
ABEC 341 Urban Ecology 3 Credits
Critical examination of the natural ecosystems in which cities are embedded, from soil and vegetation to biodiversity and landscape scale processes. Investigations into how cities are both centers of human production and consumption that shape global ecologies as well as areas of critical habitat for nonhuman animals, with an aim to understand and promote coexistence.
Prerequisites: ABEC 101 & ABEC 102.
Offered: fall of odd-numbered years.
ABEC 341L Urban Ecology Lab 1 Credit
Using Buffalo as a natural laboratory, visit urban sites of varying characteristics to analyze the effects of different types of urban development and management on ecosystems. Speak to local managers, collect and analyze ecological data, observe urban impacts to wildlife and ecosystems, as well as the connection between social and ecological systems in Buffalo.
Prerequisites: ABEC 101 & ABEC 102. Corequisite: ABEC 341.
Offered: fall of even-numbered years.
ABEC 343 Zoogeography 3 Credits
Zoogeography is the branch of biogeography that focuses on the historic and current distribution of animals across the earth. Evolutionary and ecological processes will be explored to understand geographical patterns.
Prerequisite: ABEC 101 and ABEC 102.
Offered: occasionally.
ABEC 345 Herpetology 3 Credits
This course will explore the diversity, evolutionary relationships, ecology, behavior, and conservation of reptiles and amphibians.
Prerequisite: BIO 111 & BIO 112.
Offered: fall of even-numbered years.
ABEC 345L Herpetology Lab 1 Credit
Optional laboratory for ABEC 345 (herpetology) covers field techniques, applied conservation methods, taxonomic diversity, and identification of local species. Seats in the laboratory section are first come, first serve.
Prerequisite: BIO 111 & BIO 112. Corequisite: ABEC345.
Offered: fall of even-numbered years.
ABEC 346 Integrative Behavior 3 Credits
Integrating numerous fields of Biology, this course will examine both proximate and ultimate causes of behavior, focusing on the neuroendocrine mechanisms that lead to the expression of behavior within given ecological contexts. Emphasis will be given to understanding historical and recent primary literature.
Prerequisite: ABEC101 and ABEC102.
Offered: spring of odd-numbered years.
ABEC 347 Avian Conservation and Management 3 Credits
Application of ecological and behavioral principles to the conservation and management of birds. Combines classroom and field experiences to explore applied aspects of anatomy, physiology, taxonomy, and behavior in the conservation and management of major North American avian groups and their habitat.
Prerequisite: ABEC 101 and ABEC 102.
Offered: occasionally.
ABEC 351 Zoo Exhibitry 1 Credit
Critical evaluation of zoo design principles. Involves travel to obtain first-hand study of distant zoological institutions. Additional fee required. Cost varies based on destination, but generally are between $200 and $350.
Prerequisite: ABEC 101 or ABEC 102.
Offered: annually.
ABEC 360 Observational Research Methods 4 Credits
Study of the principal procedures used in animal behavior research. Involves the conduct of independent research project, from formulation of hypothesis through to presentation of results. Statistical analysis of data is a key component of the class, and students are expected to have completed their statistics requirement.
Prerequisites: ABEC 101, ABEC 102, & one of the following: MAT 131, MAT 141, or PSY 201. Restriction: juniors and seniors only.
Fulfills College Core: Advanced Writing-Intensive
Offered: spring of odd-numbered years.
ABEC 370 Animal Cognition 3 Credits
This course will critically examine the mental lives of animals. We will attempt to better understand what animals are thinking and how and why they make particular decisions. The emphasis of this course is on critically evaluating research claiming to demonstrate or refute the presence of cognitive abilities across species. Topics studied will include perception, tool use, communication, emotions, and many more.
Prerequisite: ABEC 101 & ABEC 102. Restriction: juniors and seniors only.
Offered: every spring.
ABEC 402 Desert Conservation 1 Credit
This field course will focus on the complex desert ecosystems of the United States and conservation efforts. A week of summer travel will include visits to National Parks and Wildlife Refuges, Nature Preserves, and remote field study sites. Additional fee required will cover all travel costs. Please contact the course instructor for current fees.
Prerequisite: ABEC101 and ABEC102.
Offered: occasionally.
ABEC 403 Tropical Ecology 1 Credit
This field course provides an in-depth look at the ecology of tropical ecosystems and issues associated with their conservation. During the first portion of the spring semester, students will study the ecology of tropical forest and savannah environments, learn about the conservation issues that impact tropical wildlife species and local communities, and plan a small research study that will be carried out during the field portion of the course. Over spring break, students will participate in an immersive travel experience in Belize, including research activities, field site visits, and exploration of archaeological and cultural sites. Upon returning to campus, students will complete their research project and participate in weekly discussions and reflections about community-based conservation.
Prerequisite: ABEC 101 or ABEC 102.
Offered: most springs.
ABEC 404 Wildlife Ecology and Conservation in Africa 3 Credits
Field experience in Africa, emphasizing field methods for animal observation, community-based conservation, and wildlife behavior and management. This course involves early application (previous fall), AND travel during summer. Additional fee required. Please contact the course instructor for current fees.
Prerequisite: ABEC 101 & ABEC 102. Restriction: seniors only and permission of instructor.
Fulfills College Core: Core Capstone
Offered: every fall.
ABEC 405 Biocultural Diversity Conservation in Costa Rica 3 Credits
This field course provides an in-depth look at the complex sociocultural and political aspects of wildlife conservation and environmental sustainability by immersing students in research, workshops, readings, and discussions with local community groups and conservation experts in Costa Rica. We will travel to the capital of San Jose, where we will meet with professors working at University for Peace, to learn about some of the history around conservation, indigenous peoples, and sustainability in Costa Rica. We will also learn about current work being done at the national and local level in areas of environmental education and community advocacy. We will then travel to Santa Elena to spend five days engaged in wildlife tours, participating in education workshops, and hearing from guest speakers about re-wilding projects, river protection, sustainable farming, and new ecotourism programs. Finally, we will travel to the beautiful coastal town of Manuel Antonio to stay and volunteer with Kids Saving the Rainforest, a non-profit organization dedicated to wildlife rehabilitation, environmental education, and conservation of wildlife. We will work with the public in small research projects at Manuel Antonio National Park to learn about human-wildlife interactions there. Additional fee required. Please contact the course instructor for current fees.
Prerequisites: ABEC 101 & ABEC 102.
Offered: fall of odd-numbered years.
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. Students should register for the section most closely related to the intership activities. Section A is Anthrozoology, Section B is Animal Behavior, Secion C is Conservation, and Section Z is Zoo Biology.
Prerequisites: ABEC 101 and 102, junior or senior standing, minimum GPA of 2.0 in the major, a positive recommendation from a faculty member, & a completed & approved internship application..
ABEC 492 Internship 2 3 Credits
Internship in animal-related setting. Joint supervision by faculty and agency personnel. Application of classroom lessons to real-world situations. Students should register for the section most closely related to the intership activities. Section A is Anthrozoology, Section B is Animal Behavior, Secion C is Conservation, and Section Z is Zoo Biology.
Prerequisites: junior or senior standing, minimum GPA of 2.0 in the major, a positive recommendation from a faculty member, & a completed & approved internship application.
