ANSC 1500

Biology of Cats and Dogs: No Woof and Meow About It

Course Description

Course information provided by the 2025-2026 Catalog.

The purpose of this course is to provide students with core principles of science through the study of cat and dog biology. The course is divided into three modules: 1) The evolution and genetics, 2) Physiology and life cycles, 3) Nutrition and energy requirements. The course will be a combination of short lectures, in-class exercises based on readings and lectures, weekly workshops to reflect and develop arguments related to material covered in lectures, and case-studies at the end of each module. This course is suitable for non-life sciences majors.

Enrollment Priority REF-FA25 Not open to: Animal Science students.

Distribution Requirements (BSC-AG, BIO-AG, OPHLS-AG)

Last 4 terms offered (None)

Outcomes REF-FA25

• Use the basic principles of inheritance to assess impacts of selective breeding on cats and dogs.
• Compare and contrast the physiological systems and life cycles of cats and dogs.
• Explain the divergence in feeding strategies and nutrient requirements between cats and dogs based on their respective evolution.
• Interpret pet food labels.
• Generate arguments on controversial issues that relate to the evolution and biology of felids and canids (e.g., selective breeding and brachycephalic dogs, grain-free diets and misinformation, veganism and welfare of cats and dogs).

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