The Professional Science Master's (PSM) in Natural Sciences – Zoo, Aquarium, and Animal Shelter Management Specialization is a unique opportunity to blend business skills and applied science with a specific focus on helping animal organizations. Our two-year Professional Science Master’s degree program focuses on experiential learning and development of skills in addition to academic learning.
The PSM in Natural Sciences, Zoo, Aquarium, and Animal Shelter Management Specialization is an affiliated Professional Science Master’s (PSM) degree. Affiliation is administered by the Commission on Affiliation of PSM Programs (formerly named PSM National Office) to ensure a strong and distinctive PSM brand. The PSM is designed for students who are seeking a graduate degree in science or mathematics and understand the need for developing workplace skills valued by top employers.
Students interested in graduate work should refer to the Graduate and Professional Bulletin.
Learning Objectives
Upon successful completion of this program. students will be able to:
- Compare and contrast biological aspects of different animals kept in captivity and how this affects their care, diet and behavior evaluation and assessment of welfare.
- Apply critical thinking in solving animal-related issues, including how ethical dilemmas relate to animal organizations.
- Analyze and develop their approach to leadership in animal organizations, including managing human capital, communication, conflict resolution and how their personal characteristics affect their leadership style.
Innovate and apply techniques in marketing, fundraising, donor cultivation, grant writing, non-profit accounting and finance to benefit animal organizations.
Effective Fall 2024
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| NSCI 579/VS 579 | Applied Animal Behavior | 4 |
| NSCI 601 | PSM Ethics for Animal Professionals | 1 |
| NSCI 611 | Leadership in Animal Organizations | 3 |
| NSCI 621 | Workplace Wellness - Animal Organizations | 3 |
| NSCI 631 | Non-Profit Marketing and Community Relations | 3 |
| NSCI 641 | Fiscal Management for Animal Welfare Leaders | 2 |
| NSCI 651 | Non-Profit Fund Development and Grant Writing | 3 |
| NSCI 688A | PSM Capstone: Preparation | 2 |
| NSCI 688B | PSM Capstone: Proposal Writing | 2 |
| NSCI 688C | PSM Capstone: Project | 1 |
| NSCI 688D | PSM Capstone: Support for Deliverable and Job Search | 2 |
| NSCI 688E | PSM Capstone: Completion | 3 |
| NSCI 693A | Graduate Seminar: Zoo, Aquarium, and Animal Shelter Management | 4 |
| Select one course from the following: | 2-3 | |
| Pet Nutrition | ||
| Zoo Nutrition | ||
| Animal Metabolism | ||
| Professional skills electives (select from the list below with approval of advisor) | 8-9 | |
| Program Total Credits: | 43-45 | |
A minimum of 43 credits are required to complete this program.
Professional Skills Electives
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Aquarium | ||
| BZ 415 | Marine Biology | 4 |
| BZ 515 | Physiological Ecology of Marine Vertebrates | 3 |
| FW 300 | Biology and Diversity of Fishes | 2 |
| FW 405 | Fish Physiology | 3 |
| FW 540 | Fisheries Ecology | 3 |
| Behavior | ||
| ANEQ 315 | Equine Behavior | 2 |
| ANTH 370 | Primates | 3 |
| ANTH 375 | Evolution of Primate Behavior | 3 |
| BMS 325 | Cellular Neurobiology | 3 |
| BMS 505/NB 505 | Neuronal Circuits, Systems and Behavior | 3 |
| BZ 430 | Animal Behavior and Conservation | 3 |
| BZ 433 | Behavioral Genetics | 3 |
| BZ 479/VS 479 | Biology and Behavior of Dogs | 3 |
| BZ 505 | Cognitive Ecology | 3 |
| BZ 535 | Behavioral and Cognitive Ecology | 3 |
| PSY 600E | Advanced Psychology: Animal Learning | 3 |
| Breeding/Reproduction | ||
| ANEQ 310 | Animal Reproduction | 3 |
| ANEQ 312 | Animal Ultrasonography | 2 |
| ANEQ 328 | Foundations in Animal Genetics | 3 |
| ANEQ 330 | Principles of Animal Breeding | 3 |
| ANEQ 334 | Principles of Equine Genetics | 3 |
| BMS 521 | Comparative Reproductive Physiology | 3 |
| BMS 640 | Reproductive Physiology and Endocrinology | 4 |
| BMS 642 | Research Techniques for Gametes and Embryos | 1 |
| Comparative Physiology/Taxonomy | ||
| BZ 329 | 4 | |
| BZ 330 | 4 | |
| BZ 335 | Ornithology | 4 |
| BZ 401 | Comparative Animal Physiology | 3 |
| FW 300 | Biology and Diversity of Fishes | 2 |
| Companion Animal | ||
| ANEQ 322 | Pet Nutrition | 2 |
| BZ 479/VS 479 | Biology and Behavior of Dogs | 3 |
| SOWK 550 | Animal Assisted Therapy and Human-Animal Bond | 3 |
| Education and Human Dimensions | ||
| EDRM 707 | Quantitative Data Collection Methods/Analysis | 3 |
| EDRM 708 | Narrative Inquiry | 3 |
| EDRM 711 | Ethnographic Research | 3 |
| NRRT 505 | Environmental Education History and Theory | 3 |
| NRRT 506 | Methods in Environmental Education Research | 3 |
| NRRT 507 | Environmental Education Planning | 3 |
| NRRT 508 | Current Issues in Environmental Education | 3 |
| Habitat Design | ||
| HORT 331 | Landscape Design | 2 |
| LAND 365 | Landscape Contract Drawing and Specifications | 3 |
| LAND 366 | Landscape Design Expression | 4 |
| Nutrition | ||
| ANEQ 322 | Pet Nutrition | 2 |
| ANEQ 323 | Zoo Nutrition | 2 |
| ANEQ 345 | Principles of Nutrition: Equine Applications | 3 |
| ANEQ 720 | Nutritional Energetics | 3 |
| ANEQ 725 | Rumen Metabolism | 3 |
| NR 367 | Concepts in Vertebrate Nutrition | 3 |
| Management | ||
| BUS 500 | Foundations for Business Impact | 2 |
| BUS 614 | Accounting Concepts | 2 |
| BUS 615 | Managerial Accounting | 2 |
| FIN 305 | Fundamentals of Finance | 3 |
| MKT 370 | Digital Marketing | 3 |
| NR 401 | Techniques in Public Relations | 2 |
| NR 501 | Leadership and Public Communications | 3 |
| NR 535 | Action for Sustainable Behavior | 3 |
| NR 555 | Preparation of Grant Proposals | 2 |
| NRRT 460 | Tourism Event and Conference Planning | 3 |
| NRRT 471 | Starting and Managing Tourism Enterprise | 3 |
For more information, please visit Requirements for All Graduate Degrees in the Graduate and Professional Bulletin.
Summary of Procedures for the Master's and Doctoral Degrees
NOTE: Each semester the Graduate School publishes a schedule of deadlines. Deadlines are available on the Graduate School website. Students should consult this schedule whenever they approach important steps in their careers.
Forms are available online.
| Step | Due Date |
|---|---|
| 1. Application for admission (online) | Six months before first registration |
| 2. Diagnostic examination when required | Before first registration |
| 3. Appointment of advisor | Before first registration |
| 4. Selection of graduate committee | Before the time of fourth regular semester registration |
| 5. Filing of program of study (GS Form 6) | Before the time of fourth regular semester registration |
| 6. Preliminary examination (Ph.D. and PD) | Two terms prior to final examination |
| 7. Report of preliminary examination (GS Form 16) - (Ph.D. and PD) | Within two working days after results are known |
| 8. Changes in committee (GS Form 9A) | When change is made |
| 9. Application for Graduation (GS Form 25) | Refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School Website |
| 9a. Reapplication for Graduation (online) | Failure to graduate requires Reapplication for Graduation (online) for the next time term for which you are applying |
| 10. Submit thesis or dissertation to committee | At least two weeks prior to the examination or at the discretion of the graduate committee |
| 11. Final examination | Refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School Website |
| 12. Report of final examination (GS Form 24) | Within two working days after results are known; refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School website |
| 13. Submit a signed Thesis/Dissertation Submission Form (GS Form 30) to the Graduate School and Submit the Survey of Earned Doctorates (Ph.D. only) prior to submitting the electronic thesis/dissertation | Refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School website. |
| 14. Submit the thesis/dissertation electronically | Refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School website |
| 15. Graduation | Ceremony information is available from the Graduate School website |