BCAS 308 Genetics and Principles of Inheritance - 3 credits/48 clock hours
This course aims to give a broad introduction to eukaryotic genetics, with primary emphasis on how genes determine traits
and how these traits are inherited. Companion animal examples of these concepts will be highlighted.
This is an online course.
Perquisites:
BCAS 302 Introduction to Companion Animal Science
BCAS 301 Principles of Biology
BCAS 304 Introduction to Psychology
BCAS 306 Basics of Animal Behavior
BCAS 413 Principles in Evolution
BCAS 307 Animal Anatomy and Physiology
BCAS 409 Animal Learning - 3 credits/48 clock hours
This course serves as an examination of basic scientific assumptions as they apply to the practice of applied companion
animal behavior analysis. The course will include an analysis of animal learning behavior processes, including respondent
and operant conditioning. This analysis will focus on the theory behind the procedures used by applied animal behavior
specialists for increasing and decreasing animal behavior. Students will receive the theoretical framework behind animal
behavior analysis within the context of real-life clinical examples. A discussion of current and past research on animal
cognition will also be entertained.
This is an online course.
Perquisites:
BCAS 302 Introduction to Companion Animal Science
BCAS 301 Principles of Biology
BCAS 304 Introduction to Psychology
BCAS 306 Basics of Animal Behavior
BCAS 413 Principles in Evolution
BCAS 307 Animal Anatomy and Physiology
BCAS 308 Genetics and Principles of Inheritance
BCAS 411 Comparative Animal Psychology - 3 credits/48 clock hours
This course is a survey of animal behavior from a psychologist's perspective. It is organized around basic issues of
evolution and adaptation, and considers a variety of topics including animal cognition, navigation, communication, social
behavior, feeding, and aggression. The course stresses behavior of birds and mammals, including primates and people.
This is an online course.
Perquisites:
BCAS 304 Introduction to Psychology
BCAS 306 Basics of Animal Behavior
BCAS 413 Principles in Evolution
BCAS 307 Animal Anatomy and Physiology
BCAS 308 Genetics and Principles of Inheritance
BCAS 403 Animal Endocrinology - 3 credits/48 clock hours
The structures and functions of the endocrine glands and their role in the integration of the animal will be presented.
This is an online course.
Perquisites:
BCAS 302 Introduction to Companion Animal Science
BCAS 301 Principles of Biology
BCAS 306 Basics of Animal Behavior
BCAS 413 Principles in Evolution
BCAS 307 Animal Anatomy and Physiology
BCAS 308 Genetics and Principles of Inheritance
BCAS 701 Independent Project - 6 credits/96 clock hours
Student will select a related topic with the approval of the instructor and will identify and research at least 20
scientific articles, develop a critical analysis, and present the findings to the class via an online PowerPoint
presentation or class teleconference.
This is an online course.
Perquisites:
BCAS 302 Introduction to Companion Animal Science
BCAS 301 Principles of Biology
BCAS 304 Introduction to Psychology
BCAS 306 Basics of Animal Behavior
STAT 301 Introductory Statistics
BCAS 403 Animal Endocrinology
BCAS 413 Principles in Evolution
BCAS 309 Animal Ethics and Welfare
BCAS 307 Animal Anatomy and Physiology
BCAS 308 Genetics and Principles of Inheritance
BCAS 409 Animal Learning
BCAS 411 Comparative Animal Psychology
And 4 courses from Electives Part 1
And 3 courses from Electives Part 2
Electives Part 1: Choose 4 from the following 6:
BCAS 401 Animal Nutrition - 3 credits/48 clock hours
Emphasizing dog and cat nutrition, students will be introduced to the nutritive requirements of pets, types and sources of
nutrients, composition and identification of feeds, and current feeding recommendations.
This is an online course.
Perquisites:
BCAS 302 Introduction to Companion Animal Science
BCAS 301 Principles of Biology
BCAS 307 Animal Anatomy and Physiology
BCAS 308 Genetics and Principles of Inheritance
BCAS 409 Animal Learning
BCAS 402 Animal Reproduction - 3 credits/48 clock hours
Comparative anatomy, physiology, and endocrinology of animal reproduction. Techniques for the control and manipulation of
reproductive processes, emphasizing companion animal species.
This is an online course.
Perquisites:
BCAS 302 Introduction to Companion Animal Science
BCAS 301 Principles of Biology
BCAS 306 Basics of Animal Behavior
BCAS 413 Principles in Evolution
BCAS 307 Animal Anatomy and Physiology
BCAS 308 Genetics and Principles of Inheritance
BCAS 409 Animal Learning
ASA 607 Animals and the Law - 3 credits/48 clock hours
The current legal standard of animal welfare does not and cannot establish rights for animals. As long as they are viewed as
property, animals will be subject to suffering for the social and economic benefit of human beings. Topics will include
animals as property, civil and criminal liability, dog bite statistics, issues in pets and housing, penalties for harm and
cruelty to animals, and how to work with local law schools and law enforcement in achieving your shelter mission and
objectives. An analysis of the animal rights movement and philosophy explores the human-animal relationship and looks at a
creative and rigorous theoretical basis for redefining that relationship.
This is an online course.
BCAS 305 Family Systems and Diversity - 3 credits/48 clock hours
This course will investigate the individual system (the individual), the interactional system (the couple), and the
intergenerational system (family of origin) and the effects among each other. Family dynamics and the dynamics within
society will be emphasized.
This is an online course.
Perquisites:
BCAS 302 Introduction to Companion Animal Science
BCAS 304 Introduction to Psychology
BCAS 306 Basics of Animal Behavior
BCAS 413 Principles in Evolution
BCAS 307 Animal Anatomy and Physiology
BCAS 308 Genetics and Principles of Inheritance
BCAS 409 Animal Learning
BCAS 411 Comparative Animal Psychology
BCAS 410 Behavioral Ecology and Conservation - 3 credits/48 clock hours
This course will introduce animal behavior concepts from an ecological and evolutionary perspective, emphasizing animal
social behavior.
This is an online course.
Perquisites:
BCAS 302 Introduction to Companion Animal Science
BCAS 301 Principles of Biology
BCAS 306 Basics of Animal Behavior
BCAS 413 Principles in Evolution
BCAS 307 Animal Anatomy and Physiology
BCAS 308 Genetics and Principles of Inheritance
BCAS 409 Animal Learning
BCAS 411 Comparative Animal Psychology
CABC 523 - Biological Psychology/Pharmacology - 3 credits/48 clock hours
This course explores the role of brain chemicals (neurotransmitters, peptides, and hormones) in animal behavior. Students
will investigate hypotheses addressing the neurobiology of behavioral disorders and how they can be treated by
pharmacological interventions.
This is an online course.
Perquisites:
BCAS 302 Introduction to Companion Animal Science
BCAS 301 Principles of Biology
BCAS 306 Basics of Animal Behavior
BCAS 413 Principles in Evolution
BCAS 307 Animal Anatomy and Physiology
BCAS 308 Genetics and Principles of Inheritance
BCAS 409 Animal Learning
Electives Part 2: Choose 3 from the following 4
BCAS 414 Companion Loss and Bereavement - 2 credits/32 clock hours
The psychology of pet loss, grief therapy, current attitudes and practices surrounding the loss of a pet will be discussed
in this course.
This is an online course.
BCAS 415 Psychology of Pet Ownership - 2 credits/32 clock hours
This course will provide and overview of past and current psychological studies on pet-owning human behavior and individual
attitudes on pet ownership.
This is an online course.
Perquisites:
BCAS 302 Introduction to Companion Animal Science
BCAS 304 Introduction to Psychology
BCAS 306 Basics of Animal Behavior
BCAS 308 Genetics and Principles of Inheritance
BCAS 409 Animal Learning
BCAS 411 Comparative Animal Psychology
BCAS 416 Basic Animal Health Care - 2 credits/32 clock hours
The course will provide a solid foundation for basic animal health care procedures, such as routine vaccinations, spay and
neutering, first aid practices, nutritional deficiencies, internal and external parasites and dental care. The interplay of
pet health and behavior will be emphasized.
This is an online course.
BCAS 408 - Animal Assisted Therapy - 2 credits/32 clock hours
Animal assisted therapy provides opportunities for motivational, educational, recreational, and/or therapeutic benefits to
enhance quality of life. It can be delivered in a variety of environments by specially trained professionals,
paraprofessionals, and/or volunteers, in association with animals that meet specific criteria. AAT is a goal-directed
intervention in which an animal that meets specific criteria is an integral part of the treatment process. This course will
explore AAT as it is designed to promote improvement in human physical, social, emotional, and/or cognitive functioning .The
history of AAT, certification programs will be explored and the research behind the process will be evaluated.
This is an online course.
Total Credits/Clock Hours = 60 credits/960 clock hours
The objective of this program is to prepare individuals with an interest in working with animals for positions in the field
of animal science and care with specific emphasis on domesticated companion animals. Students study foundation and upper
level courses in biology, psychology, learning and behavior, animal atomy/physiology, welfare, nutrition, reproduction,
endocrinology, pharmacology and behavioral ecology. A field study project is also a requirement.