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.
Dearborn Discovery Core (General Education)
All students must satisfy the University’s Dearborn Discovery Core requirements, in addition to the requirements for the major. Students must also complete all CASL Degree Requirements.
Prerequisites to the Major
Not counted in the minimum 46 credit hours required for the major.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 4 |
| CHEM 226 | Organic Chemistry II | 4 |
| PSYC 101 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 27 | |
Major Requirements
Minimum 46 credits hours required depending on selection of courses.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| BIOCHEMISTRY | 4 | |
| Principles of Biochemistry | ||
| GENETICS/CELL BIOLOGY | 4 | |
| Select one of the following: | ||
| Cell Biology 2 | ||
| General Genetics 3 | ||
| Molecular Biology 4 | ||
| NEUROSCIENCE | 6 | |
| Select one of the following courses: | ||
| Principles of Neurobiology and Neuroendocrinology | ||
| Cognitive Neuroscience 1 | ||
| Select one of the following laboratory courses: | ||
| Integrative Neurobiology, Physiology and Endocrinology Lab | ||
| Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory 1 | ||
| BIOLOGY, EVOLUTION AND ANIMAL BEHAVIOR | 4 | |
| Select one of the following: | ||
| Biological Anthropology and Human Evolution | ||
| The Developmental Origins of Health and Disease | ||
| Medical Anthropology | ||
| Comparative Animal Physiology | ||
| Population Genetics & Evolution | ||
| Behavior and Evolution | ||
| Integrative and Comparative Zoology | ||
| Behavioral Ecology 3 | ||
| Animal Behavior | ||
| PHYSIOLOGICAL PSYCHOLOGY | 3-4 | |
| Select one of the following: | ||
| Human Physiology | ||
| Physiological Psychology | ||
| ADDITIONAL LABORATORY | 2 | |
| Select one of the following: | ||
| Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory 1 | ||
| Cell Biology and Cellular Physiology laboratory 2 | ||
| Integrative Neurobiology, Physiology and Endocrinology Lab | ||
| Behavioral Ecology Lab 3 | ||
| Molecular Biology Laboratory 4 | ||
| COGNITION | 8 | |
| Select two of the following: | ||
| Cognitive Psychology | ||
| Psychology of Language | ||
| Cognitive Neuroscience | ||
| Learning and Memory | ||
| Sensation and Perception | ||
| Applied Cognitive Psychology | ||
| Animal Learning and Cognition | ||
| EPIDEMIOLOGY/HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY | 3-4 | |
| Select one of the following: | ||
| Nutrition and Health | ||
| Epidemiology | ||
| Principles of Epidemiology | ||
| Health Psychology | ||
| STATISTICS | 4 | |
| Select one of the following: | ||
| Prin of Stat and Exper Design | ||
| Biostatistics I | ||
| EXPERIMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY | 4 | |
| Experimental Psychology | ||
| CAPSTONE | 4 | |
| Select one of the following: | ||
| Behavioral and Biological Sciences Capstone | ||
| Physiology of Excitable Cells | ||
| Sequence Analysis and Bioinformatics | ||
| Neurobiology of Brain Disorders | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 46-48 | |
- 1
PSYC 400 and BBS 400 may be taken concurrently.
- 2
BIOL 301 and BIOL 302 may be taken concurrently.
- 3
BIOL 456 and BIOL 457 may be taken concurrently.
- 4
BIOL 474 and BIOL 475 may be taken concurrently.
NOTE: At least 20 of the 46 credit hours for the major must be elected at UM-Dearborn.
Recommended Electives:
ANTH 415 Nutrition and Health , BIOL 304 Ecology , BIOL 410 Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Health Care: Research and Treatment , 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).
Learning Goals
- Explain how molecular and genetic processes contribute to behavior.
- Explain how environmental and socio-cognitive experiences contribute to behavior.
- Describe the causes orpossible causes of behaviora ldisease or illness, and provide scientific rationale for the pharmacological and socio-cognitive treatment of illness and disease.
- Read, interpret, and critique the literature in biology and behavioral science. a) Communicate in written and spoken formats about scientific principles and findings. b) Interpret and design appropriate experiments and apply principles of data analysis using statistical methods.
- Understand professional and ethical responsibilities.