Physiology and Behavior Option
This option is offered within the following major(s):
The Biology major Physiology and Behavior option is designed to provide a rigorous foundation in the comparative physiology and behavior of animals. Core biological sciences from the Biology major are coupled with course work in behavior, physiology and organismal biology. Undergraduate research or internship experience is strongly recommended for option students, and three credits can be applied to the electives for the option. The Physiology and Behavior option provides excellent preparation for graduate programs in animal behavior, physiology and other areas of organismal biology.
Option Code: 743
Options in the Biology major require 15 or fewer additional credits (one term) beyond the basic Biology major, and most students can complete the additional course work in the Physiology and Behavior option in four years. Courses used to satisfy the Physiology and Behavior option requirements also satisfy the Organismal Biology, Physiology, Writing Intensive Course and Experiential Learning or Integrative Biology Elective requirements for the Biology major.
Students may not pursue either the Physiology and Behavior, Pre-Dental, Pre-Medical or Pre-Veterinary Medicine options with the Biology major—no dual combinations are permitted.
It is recommended that Physiology and Behavior option students take PH 201-PH 203. Students should also consider taking PSY 202 which is optional but required for some of the Psychology elective courses.
For further information, see MyDegrees or the Integrative Biology website.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core | ||
| PSY 201 | *GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY | 3 |
| BI 319 | ^CRITICAL THINKING AND COMMUNICATION IN THE LIFE SCIENCES | 3 |
| Z 350 | ANIMAL BEHAVIOR | 3 |
| Z 425 | EMBRYOLOGY AND DEVELOPMENT | 5 |
| Z 431 | VERTEBRATE PHYSIOLOGY I | 4 |
| Z 432 & Z 442 | VERTEBRATE PHYSIOLOGY II and VERTEBRATE PHYSIOLOGY LABORATORY | 5 |
| Z 438 | BEHAVIORAL NEUROBIOLOGY | 3 |
| Organismal Biology | ||
| Select one course from the following: | 4-5 | |
| INVERTEBRATE BIOLOGY and INVERTEBRATE BIOLOGY LABORATORY | ||
| VERTEBRATE BIOLOGY and VERTEBRATE BIOLOGY LABORATORY | ||
| MARINE AND ESTUARINE INVERTEBRATE ZOOLOGY (Taught at Hatfield Marine Science Center) | ||
| Experiential Learning of Physiology and Behavior Elective Courses | ||
| Select one of the following tracks: | 3-4 | |
| Track I Experiential Learning | ||
| Select any combination of three credits from the following: | ||
| RESEARCH AND SCHOLARSHIP (by approval) | ||
| INTERNSHIP (by approval or international internships approved by the Integrative Biology Lead Advisor) | ||
| Track II Physiology and Behavior Elective Course | ||
| Select one course from the following: | ||
| TOPICS IN ANIMAL LEARNING | ||
| INTRODUCTION TO NEUROSCIENCE | ||
| SYMBIOSES AND THE ENVIRONMENT | ||
| MONSTER BIOLOGY | ||
| BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR | ||
or ANS 341 | ANIMAL BEHAVIOR AND COGNITION | |
| COMPARATIVE/FUNCTIONAL VERTEBRATE ANATOMY | ||
| ENVIRONMENTAL PHYSIOLOGY | ||
| VERTEBRATE ENDOCRINOLOGY | ||
| Total Hours | 33-35 | |
| * | Baccalaureate Core Course (BCC) |
| ^ | Writing Intensive Course (WIC) |
Option Code: 743