BZ 478 Biology and Behavior of Cats (3 credits-Online)

Professor: Dr. Jennie Willis Offered: Spring semester

This three credit class is open to CSU students, students at other University or interested members of the public. The class is a omprehensive inquiry into how aspects of physiology, neurobiology, development and genetics influence the behavior of domestic cats. Evolution and domestication are explored as contextual reference for some behavior problems, and differentiated from true abnormal behavior. Emphasis is on interpreting scientific experiments in feline biology. You will come away with a true scientific understanding of cats and cat training.

BZ 479 Biology and Behavior of Dogs (3 credits-Online)

Professor: Dr. Jennie Willis Offered: Spring and Summer Semesters

This course enables students to develop a comprehensive understanding of how aspects of physiology, neurobiology, development and genetics influence the behavior of domestic dogs. Evolution and domestication will be explored as contextual reference for some behavior problems, and differentiated from true abnormal behavior. Emphasis will be on interpreting scientific experiments in canine biology.

Students who complete this course will have a working knowledge of learning theory and how the biology of dogs affects behavior. Course topics include:

• Behavior and ecology of domestic and wild dogs
• Theories of domestication
• Sensory perception and its relationship to behavior
• Body language and communication
• The brain and behavior
• Morphological and behavioral genetics
• Genetic disorders of domestic dogs
• Social, biological, and behavioral development of dogs
• Applied behavior and training methods
• Understanding abnormal and problem behaviors

NSCI 579 Applied Animal Behavior and Training (4 credits-Online)

Professor: Dr. Jennie Willis Offered: Fall Semester

This comprehensive course in animal behavior and training teaches the scientific principles behind animal learning and also hones your training skill. You will need access to an animal learner and a human learner for the labs in this class.

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

• Explain role of the brain and nervous system in behavior
• Compare and contrast intersection of early development and genetics on behavior
• Evaluate enrichment and animal enclosures for opportunities to perform natural behaviors
• Explain the science behind animal learning
• Apply the mechanics and timing to training tasks
• Arrange antecedents to allow your learner to be most successful each session
• Use feedback provided to improve your training skill
• Design a training plan for a learner in your care
• Apply the principles of graded counterconditioning to a behavioral issue or fear
• Propose a novel solution for a behavior issue in a managed care or home setting

BZ 435C Study Abroad Kenya: Biology and Behavior of Mammals (3 credits)

Professor: Dr. Jennie Willis Offered: Summer semester as a three week study abroad course in Kenya

This three week immersive course hones your observational skills for animal identification and behavioral interpretation. You will learn to apply different field sampling techniques, use and create your own ethogram and design your own research question around animal observation in the wild.

BZ 435D Study Abroad Madagascar: Biology and Behavior of Primates (3 credits)

Professor: Dr. Jennie Willis

Offered: Summer semester as a three week study abroad course in Madagascar

This three week immersive course takes you deep into the rainforest to explore critically endangered species of lemurs. You will learn to different behavioral data collection methods, use forest transects and other field techniques and trap and even get to evaluate mouse lemurs up close! This course is an excellent introduction into behavioral biology in the field.