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Central Washington University
Primate Behavior and Ecology Program (Established 1999)
Educational Program
Web Site: http://www.cwu.edu/~primate/index.html

Director: Dr. Lixing Sun
Phone: 1-509-963-2780   Fax: 1-509-963-2730   E-Mail: lixing@cwu.edu
400 East University Way, Ellensburg, Washington 98926-7537 UNITED STATES
Department: Anthropology, Biology, and Psychology
Institution: Central Washington University

Mission: The Central Washington University Bachelor of Science in Primate Behavior and Ecology program (PBE) provides students with multidisciplinary perspectives on the relationships between nonhuman primates and the environment in both captive and free-range settings. Specific course requirements in anthropology, psychology, biology, and primatology give students a solid academic background, which is enriched by opportunities for fieldwork, research, and husbandry training. The program prepares students for graduate programs; for conservation careers in governmental and nongovernmental organizations; or for careers with primate laboratories, zoos, sanctuaries, and other captive facilities. The integraive nature of the program provides an effective framework for fulfilling CWU's mission of preparing srudents for respondible citizenship and environmental stewardship. A double major is required for pursuit of the PBE degree: students also complete a 45 to 100 credit major in anthropology, biology, or psychology. Some PBE core requirements and electives can count as credits towards both degrees, so the actual amount of the second major may be as low as 27 credits.

Principal Research Programs: The Chimpanzee and Human Communication Institute (Ellensburg, WA),the CWU-Anhui University Biodiversity and Field Research Program (China), and student internships at the Woodland Park Zoo (Seattle, WA) and the OPR Coastal Primate Sanctuary (Longview, WA).

Training Opportunities: Undergraduate degrees in Primate Behavior and Ecology. Graduate degree in Primate Behavior. Public education through the Chimpanzee & Human Communication Institute.

Financial Aid: Some departmental and University Scholarships.

Number of Staff: 7

Associated Field Sites: Joint CWU-Anhui University Biodiversity & Primate Field Research Program, Huangshan, China: research site is home to two groups of habituated macaques. As an intensive field-based program, students can expect to spend the majority of their time at the VWM park engaged in hands-on training in behavioral data collection, habitat assessment, and herpetological survey techniques. Students develop research porjects in teams. Past research includes the effects of ecotourism on the families of macaques and the effects of stress on mother-infant relationships in Tibetan macaques.

Supported Species: Macaca mulatta (rhesus macaque), Macaca thibetana (Milne-Edward's macaque), Pan troglodytes (common chimpanzee)

Last Updated: 2005-01-23

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