Students: Undergraduate Programs: Majors and Minors

Avian Biology
Discover the only living dinosaur—birds.

As an Avian Biology major you will learn about the vital roles birds play in human society. Domesticated birds are popular pets across the globe. Meat and eggs produced by birds are the largest source of animal protein produced and eaten by humans. Other bird products such as feathers, oils and leather are highly valuable in the clothing, pharmaceutical, cosmetics or fertilizer industries. Scientific research with birds continues to yield critical information for advancements in human medicine, developmental biology and cognition. Wild birds provide service to humans as a focus of ecotourism and recreational hobbies, consumers of insect pests, pollinators of plants and indicators of environmental quality for virtually every ecosystem present in the world.

The Avian Biology major combines elements from the biological, ecological and agricultural sciences. It will allow you to pursue your interest in birds through the study of topics such as physiology, anatomy, reproduction, nutrition, behavior, production and management while preparing you for a job in the trillion dollar global bird industry or for admission to professional schools such as veterinary, medical, pharmacy and law.

Sound like your kind of science degree? Check out more info below or go ahead and apply now to study Avian Biology.

What Can I Study?

Visit the course plan below for a typical course sequence for an Avian Biology major. You will determine the right classes for your interests with the help of your advisor.

• Avian Biology (4-Year Course Plan) (pdf)

The UGA Bulletin has more information about required classes and available electives for the avian biology major.

Additional Opportunities

Pre-professional opportunities:
Pre-Veterinary Medicine

Study Abroad:
Costa Rica: Avian Biology, Thailand: Cultural, Social, and Environmental Sustainability, France: French and European Agricultural and Environmental Sciences

Internships:
Congressional Agricultural Fellowship, Cooperative Extension Internship, Emerging Scholars Internship, Georgia Farm Bureau Legislative Internship, Rural Caucus Legislative Internship, Winegrowers of Georgia Internship

Clubs:
Ag Hill Council, AGHON (Honorary), Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity, Alpha Zeta (Honorary), CAES Ambassadors (Honorary), Collegiate 4-H, Collegiate FFA, Collegiate FFA (Tifton campus), Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences (MANRRS), Poultry Science Club, Pre-Vet Club, Sigma Alpha Sorority, Student Government Association

High School Programs:
Avian Adventures, Weekend in the Classic City, Young Scholars Internship Program