Animal Behavior
Offered by the Biology, and Psychology departments.

Living things come in all sizes, from a single-celled organism to the great blue whale—and the study of animal behavior covers them all. The animal behavior minor brings in theory and concepts from both biology and psychology, giving you a broad look at the building blocks of life and a peek into animal minds. You’ll investigate an organism’s relationship with the world around it: how they find and defend resources, choose a mate and care for their young. Gain experience for careers in wildlife, conservation, animal training or research, or prepare for veterinary or graduate school.

For further information contact Kathleen Morgan at kmorgan@wheatoncollege.edu or 508-286-3934.

Programs

Recent student internships

The Wheaton Edge offers experiences beyond the classroom.

Sidney Sipes

2021, Neuroscience

Mars Fellows Career Exploration Fund

Southwick's Zoo, Mendon, MA

This experience brought me closer to learning what I want to do for a career, which is to be a keeper for primates. I would like to further explore my interest in great apes after caring for chimpanzees during this internship.

Caroline Genther

2021, Biology

Martha Van Cott Singdahlsen '57 Wheaton Fund Career Exploration Fund

Mystic Aquarium, Mystic, CT

Interning with the Animal Rescue Program at Mystic Aquarium helped me to further my career goals in marine animal rehabilitation by giving me knowledge, skills and mentors in the field.

Sydney O'Brien

2020, Biology

Mars Fellowship for Career Exploration

Beardsley Zoo, Bridgeport, CT

I learned that I can do anything if I set my mind to it. Many zoo keepers are women, and I spent 10 weeks learning from three empowering women how to be independent and tackle problems on my own.

Nicole Lussier

2020, Biology

Merit Scholarship

Southwick's Zoo, Mendon, MA

This internship gave me hands-on experience in handling, training, presenting and caring for over 120 exotic and native animals, and made me realize that I want a career in zoology.

Faculty

Kathleen Morgan

Associate Professor of Psychology