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UC Among First to Offer Behavioral, Cognitive Suite of Programs

College Adds Animal Behavior, Neuroscience, Psychobiology Majors

Written By Victoria Lamanna '15, PR Intern

Contact - cleogrande@utica.edu

Utica, NY (05/18/2015) - This fall, Utica College will introduce a new suite of undergraduate psychology and biology majors - Animal Behavior, Neuroscience and Psychobiology. Utica College will be only one of two schools in the United States and Canada to offer all three of these degrees in behavioral and cognitive sciences.

“These majors will provide opportunities for select students who are interested in integrative sciences associated with the nervous system, brain, and behavior to pursue a degree that better meets their interests and career goals,” said Sharon Wise, Ph.D., professor of biology and associate dean of natural sciences and mathematics. “The neuroscience and psychobiology majors combine the academic and research interests of a number of our students.”

The Animal Behavior program will examine behavior from a biological and psychological perspective. Students will examine the evolutionary, ecological, psychological, genetic and neurological factors that influence the behaviors of animals, and ways in which behaviors can be modified by learning, training, and changes to an animal’s natural environment. Utica College is one of ten schools in the country currently offering this program.
 
Through a partnership with the Utica Zoo, students will be able to learn applied animal behavior with hands-on experience from local zookeepers and trainers who will teach key concepts such as zoo research, animal care husbandry, and animal training at the zoo.

Career opportunities for students graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Animal Science include research assistants at a university, zoo, museum or government facility, animal care specialists, animal care workers, veterinary assistants and managers of a research laboratory. The degree can also position students for zoo and aquarium husbandry, or museum or zoo education. This degree is also the foundation for students looking to pursue an advanced degree in research, higher education teaching, conservation or veterinary medicine.

In addition, Psychobiology will be offered for students interested in both psychology and biology and wish to understand the biological bases and consequences of behaviors. The program will focus on the biological bases of behavior, cognition, learning, emotion, sensation, perception and memory.

A bachelor’s degree in Psychobiology is the first step for students seeking post-graduate professions in health, medicine, neurobehavioral sciences or psychology. Career opportunities include high school teacher, mental health counselor, family therapist, physician’s assistant, physician, psychologist, school and career counselor, or social worker.

Neuroscience, the third major to join the suite of psychology and biology programs, is the study of the nervous system, including its structure, function, evolution, and development. Students will master the fundamental aspects of psychology, chemistry, and biology in order to understand the nervous systems of humans and other animals.

The Neuroscience major provides opportunities for students pursuing a career in neurologic and biological sciences, health, medicine or psychology.

New courses that will be offered through the three new research-intensive programs include animal behavior, training and husbandry, neuropharmacology and sensory biology.

A limited number of openings are available for the programs. Visit utica.edu or call (315) 792-3006 for more information.

About Utica College – Utica College, founded in 1946, is a comprehensive private institution offering bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. The College, located in upstate central New York, approximately 90 miles west of Albany and 50 miles east of Syracuse, currently enrolls over 4,000 students in 36 undergraduate majors, 27 minors, 21 graduate programs and a number of pre-professional and special programs.