Behavioral and Biological Sciences
The study of Behavioral and Biological Sciences investigates the intersections between biochemistry, psychology, genetics, neurobiology, behavior, immunology and anthropology. Students choosing the Bachelor of Arts, or Bachelor of Science, in Behavioral and Biological Sciences will learn the foundations of both biological and psychological sciences as they apply to the study of human and animal behavior, as well as ethical considerations and implications of research. The student experience will include a selection of lectures and laboratory courses to develop foundational understanding, hands-on experimental understanding and critical thinking skills. Students trained in these areas will be prepared for business and research positions, for pursuing advanced degrees in medical school, pharmacy or graduate programs and will contribute in the following areas:
- Health and wellness, making a direct and significant impact in areas in which citizens have received “poor marks.”
- Health and the environment, indirectly, by working in research and within industry to change manufacturing processes and improve products.
- Leadership in business, industry and politics.
- K-12 education through service learning and outreach.
Please visit the Behavioral and Biological Sciences webpage for more information.
In addition to the major requirements, students must complete all CASL Degree Requirements.
Prerequisites to the Major
Not counted in the minimum 36 credit hours required for the major.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| PSYC 101 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| BIOL 130 | Intro Org and Environ Biology | 4 |
| BIOL 140 | Intro Molec & Cellular Biology | 4 |
| CHEM 134 | General Chemistry IA | 4 |
| CHEM 136 | General Chemistry IIA | 4 |
| CHEM 225 | Organic Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHEM 226 | Organic Chemistry II | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 25 | |
Major Requirements
Minimum 36 credits hours required depending on selection of courses.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| BIOCHEMISTRY | 3 or 6 | |
| Select one of the following: | ||
| Principles of Biochemistry | ||
| Biochemistry I and Biochemistry II | ||
| GENETICS/CELL BIOLOGY | 3-4 | |
| Select one of the following: | ||
| Cell Biology | ||
| General Genetics | ||
| Molecular Biology | ||
| NEUROSCIENCE | 4 | |
| Introduction to Neurobiology | ||
| BIOLOGY, EVOLUTION AND ANIMAL BEHAVIOR | 3 | |
| Select one of the following: | ||
| Biological Anthropology and Human Evolution | ||
| Introduction to Primates | ||
| Beyond Race: Understanding Human Variation | ||
| Human Body, Growth & Health | ||
| Medical Anthropology | ||
| Ornithology | ||
| Population Genetics & Evolutn | ||
| Behavior and Evolution | ||
| Behavioral Ecology | ||
| Animal Behavior | ||
| Animal Learning and Cognition | ||
| Primatology Field Course | ||
| PHYSIOLOGICAL PSYCHOLOGY | 3 | |
| Select one of the following: | ||
| Human Physiology | ||
| Physiological Psychology | ||
| COGNITION | 6 | |
| Select two of the following: | ||
| Cognitive Psychology | ||
| Psychology of Language | ||
| Cognitive Neuroscience | ||
| Learning and Memory | ||
| Sensation and Perception | ||
| Applied Cognitive Psychology | ||
| EPIDEMIOLOGY/HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY | 3 | |
| Select one of the following: | ||
| Nutrition and Health | ||
| Epidemiology | ||
| Principles of Epidemiology | ||
| Health Psychology | ||
| ETHICS IN RESEARCH | 1 or 3 | |
| Select one of the following: | ||
| Ethics in Research | ||
| Medical Ethics | ||
| STATISTICS | 3 | |
| Select one of the following: | ||
| Prin of Stat and Exper Design | ||
| Biostatistics I | ||
| EXPERIMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY | 4 | |
| Experimental Psychology | ||
| CAPSTONE | 3-4 | |
| Bio and Beh Science Capstone | ||
| Physiology of Excitable Cells | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 36-43 | |
NOTE: At least 18 of the 36 credit hours for the major must be elected at UM-Dearborn.
Recommended Electives:
ANTH 415 Nutrition and Health , BIOL 304 Ecology , BIOL 410 Diversity Issues Health Care , HHS 435 Obesity and the Lifecourse , PSYC 300 Life-Span Developmental Psych , PSYC 320 Social Psychology , PSYC 440 Abnormal Psychology , PSYC 442 Child Psychopathology , PSYC 446 Human Sexual Behavior , PSYC 470 Advanced Physiological Psych , PSYC 473 Clinical Neuropsychology , PSYC 474 Animal Learning and Cognition
Honors Designation in Behavioral and Biological Sciences
In order to be considered for Honors designation, a student must complete and submit an honors application (attached) to the BBS Program committee Director via his/her/their advisor no later than the end of the term prior to graduation.
Honors in BBS will be earned by meeting all of the following criteria:
- cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher in BBS major courses
- cumulative GPA of 3.3 or higher in all university courses
- completion of a minimum of 6 six credit hours of Independent/Directed Research (BBS 498,499), spread over 2 or more years, under the supervision of one principal investigator, who will serve as thesis advisor. This research must have a BBS program (broadly defined) focus.
- Completion of a thesis-like document that thoroughly describes the background, experimental design, methodology and discussion of data generated in the context of the scientific literature.
- Presentation of the research thesis before a committee of three faculty: the thesis advisor, two full time Faculty from the BBS program committee or one BBS faculty member and one external member of the student’s choosing. The defense should be held a minimum of 2 weeks prior to the final-exams week of the semester in which the student is graduating. The committee must be provided with a draft of the thesis one week prior to the defense OR Presentation of the research in a public forum (e.g. scientific meeting, College of Arts, Sciences, and Letters (CASL) Research Day, Department of Natural Sciences Poster Day).