Animal Biology, Bachelor of Science College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences

The Major

Animal Biology Major; Faculty

The Major Program

The Animal Biology major offers students training in the biological and natural sciences as they apply to animals. The major covers basic biological sciences foundational to understanding animal evolution, systematics, ecology, physiology and molecular biology. Students in the Animal Biology major are encouraged to think beyond particular groups of animals in which they are interested and to consider science as a process and a way of learning new things about them, and of advancing society. The program emphasizes biological principles used in research and in solving societal conflicts with animals in agriculture, urban areas, or natural environments.

The Program

The major consists of core courses in the sciences that build an understanding of animal biology from the molecular to the ecological and evolutionary levels of organization. After completing these core courses, students choose an interdisciplinary practicum project from general animal biology, predicated on their ultimate career goals. They plan this emphasis of study in a required discussion-seminar course and in consultation with a mentor. The program includes a senior thesis, which each student employs the process and principles of science to propose and carry out the practicum project they choose, integrating the disciplines of the major. The Animal Biology major emphasizes research in biological principles as opposed to animal care and husbandry.

Practicum Research & Career Alternatives

The Animal Biology program and professional research interests of each student guides him or her in Practicum and career choices. On- and off-campus Practicum research opportunities occur in research laboratories, at field situations, in zoos and public aquariums, with governmental agencies, national and state parks with private industry, and in international programs. A degree in Animal Biology prepares students for careers in research, teaching, academia, governmental regulation, health, or agriculture where these emphasize integrative biology of animals. Careers in veterinary medicine, animal husbandry and animal management remain open to Animal Biology majors as well, however, other preparation may be required. Students in the major focus on gaining research experience, and become well prepared to continue their training at the graduate or professional level in a variety of biological disciplines.

Master Advisor

R. Kimsey

Major Advisor

E. Galvan Hack

Advising Center for the major, including peer advising, is located in 150 and Academic Advisor located in 160 Hutchison Hall; 530-754-7277; abi-advising@ucdavis.edu.

Preparatory Subject Matter
Biological Science15
Introduction to Biology: Essentials of Life on Earth
Introduction to Biology: Principles of Ecology & Evolution
Introduction to Biology: Biodiversity & the Tree of Life
Chemistry21-23
General Chemistry
General Chemistry
General Chemistry
Choose a series:
Organic Chemistry: Brief Course
and Organic Chemistry: Brief Course
Organic Chemistry for Health & Life Sciences
and Organic Chemistry for Health & Life Sciences
Mathematics; choose a series:9-12
Short Calculus
and Short Calculus
and Short Calculus
Calculus for Biology & Medicine
and Calculus for Biology & Medicine
and Calculus for Biology & Medicine
Calculus
and Calculus
and Calculus
Physics12
General Physics
General Physics
General Physics
Statistics; choose one:4
Elementary Statistics
Elementary Statistics
Applied Statistics for Biological Sciences
Animal Biology8
Animal Biology Laboratory
Animal Biology
Animal Biology
Preparatory Subject Matter Subtotal69-74
Depth Subject Matter
Animal Biology5
Animal Biology Seminar
Senior Practicum
Senior Practicum Discussion
Biological Science4
Genes & Gene Expression
Choose a series:6-10
Animal Biochemistry & Metabolism
Animal Biochemistry & Metabolism
Structure & Function of Biomolecules
Bioenergetics & Metabolism
Choose one:3-5
Systemic Physiology
Avian Physiology
Insect Physiology
Physiology of Fishes
Choose one:3-4
Comparative Vertebrate Organology
Functional Insect Morphology
Evolution & Ecology4
Introduction to Evolution
Choose one:4
General Ecology
Population Ecology
Introduction to Ecology
Population & Quantitative Genetics
Depth Subject Matter Subtotal29-36
Restricted Electives
Focused specialty upper division courses as outlined in the student's major proposal (from ABI 187) with approval of an advisor.25
Restricted Electives Subtotal25
Total Units123-135