ANSC 1500

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

Course Description

Course information provided by the 2025-2026 Catalog.

This course introduces students to core principles of animal biology through cat and dog evolution, domestication, genetics, and physiology. We’ll discuss how dogs and cats evolved in divergent ways, shaping adaptation to human environments. We’ll explore the quirky world of feline and canine genetics and uncover why dogs display incredible diversity in size and shape, including maladaptive morphology or deleterious mutations associated with breeding. Species-specific adaptations influencing reproductive and physical traits, such as dogs’ exceptional scent perception and feline reproduction, the most efficient among placental carnivorans, will be discussed. This course blends lectures, interactive discussions, and student-led case studies, encouraging students to apply knowledge to real-world scenarios. Designed for non-life sciences majors, this class offers a fun, accessible way to explore the fascinating biology behind our favorite four-legged companions.

Enrollment Information REF-F25 Not open to: Animal Science students.

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

Last 3 terms offered 2024FA, 2024SU, 2023FA

Learning Outcomes REF-FA25

• Apply fundamental principles of inheritance to evaluate how selective breeding impacts the health and genetic diversity of cats and dogs.
• Compare and contrast key physiological systems in cats and dogs.
• Compare and contrast developmental milestones and life stages in cats and dogs.
• Explain the biological and evolutionary factors contributing to differences in reproductive strategies and success between cats and dogs.
• Construct evidence-based arguments addressing controversial topics related to cat and dog evolution, genetics, and welfare (e.g., selective breeding practices, vegan diets, neutering, declawing, debarking, tail docking, and feral population management).

View Enrollment Information