Animal Studies Minor

Overview

The animal studies minor at Saint Joseph’s University offers courses in biology, psychology, environmental science and more to help prepare students for careers working with and for animals.

WHAT IS THE ANIMAL STUDIES MINOR?

Animal studies at Saint Joseph’s University brings together scholarship from the social and natural sciences as well as the humanities. A background in animal behavior will help you understand the interactions and relationships between human and non-human animals. In the animal studies minor, you’ll take courses focusing on:

Human and animal relations and interactions
Animal biology/physiology
Animal behavior and cognition
Role played by animals in the larger world

WHAT CAN I DO WITH AN ANIMAL STUDIES MINOR?

Animal studies combines coursework in biology, psychology and environmental science with independent research and independent study opportunities. This approach helps to prepare graduates for a wide range of careers in animal-related industries. Students have gone on to pursue a wide range of jobs, including:

Veterinarian
Animal care attendant
Veterinary supplier
Veterinary pharmacist
Animal trainer
Wildlife rehabilitator
Animal nutritionist

HOW WILL SAINT JOSEPH’S UNIVERSITY PREPARE ME FOR A FUTURE CAREER?

HOW TO PURSUE ANIMAL STUDIES AT SAINT JOSEPH’S UNIVERSITY

All students seeking to minor in animal studies must take one of the following courses (these courses all have prerequisites): Animal Behavior (BIO 401), Biological Bases of Behavior (PSY 201) and Comparative Animal Behavior (PSY 225).

Students in the following majors are encouraged to consider a minor in animal studies:

Biology
Psychology
Environmental Science

Course Catalog Information

Biology

A biology degree from Saint Joseph’s University exposes you to all levels of biological organization, from the sub-cellular to the broad ecosystem. Our program is built with core courses covering the fundamentals of biology, a distribution of upper-level course across the major areas of biology and free electives.

Psychology

The Department of Psychology offers courses in all of the major subfields of psychology, as well as a clinical concentration of courses in support of those who are interested in pursuing careers in clinical psychology, counseling psychology and related mental health fields.

Environmental Science

All over the world, societies have become increasingly concerned about the safety of air, food and water. Recent weather‐related events have sparked an interest in understanding the earth's climate and the human factors that play a role in global climate change. This heightened public awareness of the perils facing our natural resources has increased the demand for environmental scientists and specialists.