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.
Effective Fall 2023
| 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 329A | Herpetology: Lecture | 3 |
| BZ 330A | Mammalogy: Lecture | 3 |
| BZ 335 | Ornithology | 3 |
| 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 |