New course for animal science majors: animal ethology and welfare science

We are excited to announce the launch of “ACBS 222: Animal Ethology and Welfare Science”, co-taught by Drs. Dieter Steklis, Netzin Steklis and Emma Grigg. As a part of the core curriculum for animal sciences majors, this course offers a robust framework for understanding and addressing animal welfare issues in both academic and professional settings.

Course material will explore the growing field of animal welfare science, connecting the disciplines of ethology, sentience, ethics, and animal welfare. Recent developments, such as the UK’s Animal Welfare Sentience Act (2022) and the New York Declaration of Animal Consciousness (2024), highlight the importance of recognizing animals’ sentience and the ethical responsibility to improve their welfare.

Students will learn that animal sentience and welfare is not just a matter of philosophical or ethical concern but that it is also of practical value, as a growing body of scientific evidence demonstrates the connection between improved animal welfare and increased quality and/or quantity of a desired animal product (e.g., milk or meat). In response to these advancements, our course aims to equip students with a thorough understanding of the biological and ethical foundations of animal welfare, and methods of assessing animal welfare in a variety of contexts, from research laboratories to animal farms, pets at home, exotics, animals in zoos, and wildlife. The course will prepare students for careers that prioritize and enhance the well-being of animals across a variety of these contexts.