Student Experience

Laboratory experience is key to your training

As an Animal Behavior major, you will take a variety of formal lab courses relevant to animal behavior. We encourage our students to get involved in hands-on supervised research in faculty labs, too, where they have the opportunity to delve deep into current research. You learn how to generate hypotheses, design and carry out experiments to test those hypotheses, and interpret and present your results.

Many students who do supervised research present their data at our annual Animal Behavior Conference, and even co-author journal articles based on their work.

Into the internship arena

You also have the opportunity to complete an internship in animal behavior for course credit. This gives you the chance to apply your academic knowledge in the broader community, gaining career-oriented experience, and developing professional connections.

Our students have completed internships in a wide variety of settings, including wildlife rehabilitation centers, zoos, science museums, pet training businesses, and bison preserves.

Learn about internship opportunities

Morgan Napier

August 2016 graduate, B.S. in Animal Behavior

As a student of Animal Behavior, I have gained a unique skill set that allows me to easily cross between disciplines of biology, animal behavior, environmental science, and psychology. The versatility of the Animal Behavior degree set me apart from my peers when applying to graduate schools, which led to my acceptance to the Masters of Conservation Biology program and a position in the Rubega Behavior Lab at the University of Connecticut. The Animal Behavior program helped me discover my interests and explore my own ability to synthesize an exciting career trajectory for myself.

Get involved in Animal Behavior

We offer a variety of lectures and events throughout the year, including a national Animal Behavior Conference.

Check out our events

Interested in joining an animal related student club or organization?

Animal Club

The Animal Club at Indiana University is a group of animal-loving students that serve local animal shelters and rescues through volunteering and fundraising. In past years, the club has worked with a variety of animals from cats and dogs to rabbits and farm animals. Club meetings and social events provide opportunities for students to meet others, interact with animals, and have fun!

Please follow the link below to become an official member:
Fill Out our Membership Form

Contact: marhuyn@iu.edu

Bloomington Birders

Bloomington Birders is an official Audubon On-Campus Chapter, dedicated to birds and bird conservation. Members of this club are encouraged to attend biweekly birdwatching trips along with attending various events dedicated to birds and local conservation efforts. Join the GroupMe here: https://groupme.com/join_group/62790624/VksCZKxe

Contact Information:
Address: 505 S Swain Ave, Bloomington, IN 47401
Contact Email: mjbenko@iu.edu
Phone Number: 317-979-1301

Equestrians at IU

The Equestrian Team at Indiana University is about 35 members strong, approximately half of which are competitive. Aside from horse shows there are many socials, demonstrations, fundraisers, volunteer opportunities, clinics, campus events, and other horse-related activities offered to club members throughout the year. We have something to offer everyone! Our members come from a variety of different riding backgrounds, some with little to no previous horse experience. The beauty of being a club sport is that there are very few requirements; the level at which you participate is totally up to you. The Equestrian Team is a great way to learn new things, improve your skills, and make friends! Please email horses@iu.edu if you are interested in joining us.

Contact Information:
Address: WIC 290, Bloomington, IN 47405
Contact Email: horses@iu.edu

ICAN Service Dogs at IU

We are a group of students with a mission to educate, fundraise, and volunteer with the Indiana Canine Assistant Network (ICAN). ICAN focuses not only on the service dogs in the program but on the individuals involved in this process.

ICAN was one of the first organizations to begin training service dogs in prisons to provide the means to reintegrate into society. This is done through the use of specialized training in order to maximize the skills necessary to be a successful service dog. These dogs are then carefully paired with disabled individuals to offer a more independent lifestyle.

ICAN Service Dogs at Indiana University works closely with this organization to provide a better understanding of the mission of this program through fundraising and volunteering.

To join, please email icanatiu@indiana.edu for more information!
Contact Information:
Address: IMU Student Activities Tower, Room 489
900 E 7th St, Bloomington, IN 47405
Contact Email: icanatiu@indiana.edu

IU Reptile Club

Learn to identify Indiana natives. Field trips, hiking, volunteering, fun! Based in Bloomington, IN

reptileclubiu on Instagram, DM to get involved! Join our GroupMe!

Contact Kaylen Ohlwine at kohlwine@gmail.com or text (260) 353-9109.

Lights Out Bloomington

Lights out Bloomington is a local chapter working to reduce bird window collisions. Lights Out is a national organization that works with building managers and cities to prevent bird deaths and save energy by promoting bird-safe buildings and reducing nighttime lighting.

During the 2022, Wanamaker’s team monitored 26 buildings on the campus with a team of three undergraduates and one master's student during spring and fall migrations.

Contact information:
Sarah Wanamaker strikes@indiana.edu

Students for Animal Behavior at IU

The purpose of this club is to educate students about the benefits of a career in the animal field, including animal wellness, knowledge of conservation, and research/internship opportunities, while also volunteering at local organizations, providing opportunities for networking/outreach, and advocating for the Animal Behavior program. Ask to join our GroupMe!

Contact Information:
Contact Email: sabatiu@indiana.edu
Phone Number: 307-267-9521
https://iub.campuslabs.com/engage/organization/sab_iu

Consider a study abroad program

IU and the College of Arts and Sciences offer many opportunities for students interested in studying in another country. You can choose short-term or long-term experiences that allow you to practice another language and explore different cultures.

College International

College International offers high impact study abroad experiences focused on the College’s liberal arts tradition for our majors and other IU students.

IU Overseas Studies

IU’s Office of Overseas Study promotes study abroad to all IU students by offering programs in a wide range of disciplines.

Program in Animal Behavior

Student Experience

Laboratory experience is key to your training

Into the internship arena

Morgan Napier

Get involved in Animal Behavior

Interested in joining an animal related student club or organization?

Consider a study abroad program

College International

IU Overseas Studies

The College of Arts & Sciences

Student Experience

Laboratory experience is key to your training

Into the internship arena

Morgan Napier

Get involved in Animal Behavior

Interested in joining an animal related student club or organization?

Consider a study abroad program

College International

IU Overseas Studies

Center for the Integrative Study of Animal Behavior social media channels

The College of Arts & Sciences