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The Bachelor of Science in Biobehavioral Health (BBH) is a 120-credit program that offers a solid foundation in the science behind health and wellness through course work in biobehavioral health, biology, epidemiology, physiology, nutrition, genetics, and statistics. To earn this degree, you must successfully complete:

  • 97–99 credits in requirements for the major
    • 31 credits prescribed courses
    • 51–53 credits additional courses
    • 15 credits supporting and related areas
  • 45 credits of General Education courses (22 of these 45 credits are included in the requirements for the major)

Course List - Bachelor of Science in Biobehavioral Health 

Prescribed Courses (38 credits)
Title Abbreviation Description Credits
Introduction to Biobehavioral Health BBH 101 (GHA) Introduction to an interdisciplinary study of health, examining the interaction of biological processes and behavior on health. 3 credits
Research Strategies for Studying Biobehavioral Health BBH 310 Surveys the various research methodologies used in biomedical research, including case, epidemiological, quasiexperimental and experimental approaches.

Prerequisite: BBH 101, STAT 200.   		 3 credits
Interdisciplinary Integration in Biobehavioral Health BBH 311 A review of literature relevant to the concepts and findings of different scientific domains as they apply to biobehavioral health.

Prerequisite: BBH 101, BIOL 110, PSYCH 100.   		 3 credits
Foundations and Principles of Health Promotion BBH 316 Basic exposure and skills development in theory and practice in health promotion.

Prerequisite: BBH 101		 3 credits
Research and Applications in Biobehavioral Health BBH 411W Research methods, multi-level analyses, and applications in biobehavioral health.

Prerequisite: BBH 101, BBH 310, STAT 200		 3 credits
Principles of Epidemiology BBH 440 (US; IL) Theory of epidemiology and significant case studies; potential applications to health care.

Prerequisite: BBH 101 or BIOL 110 or HPA 310; STAT 200 or STAT 250  		 3 credits
Biology: Basic Concepts and Biodiversity BIOL 110 (GN) A study of the evolution of the major groups of organisms including the fundamental concepts of biology.  4 credits
Genetics and Evolution of the Human Species BIOL 133 Human heredity and evolution, individual and social implications.  3 credits
Introductory Physiology BIOL 141 (GN) Explanation of the normal structure and function of the animal body, with special emphasis on human body systems. 3 credits
Introductory Principles of Nutrition NUTR 251 (GHA) The nutrients: food sources and physiological functions as related to human growth and well-being throughout life; current nutrition issues. 3 credits
Introductory Psychology PSYCH 100 (GS) Introduction to general psychology; principles of human behavior and their applications.  3 credits
Elementary Statistics STAT 200 (GQ) Descriptive statistics, frequency distributions, probability, binomial and normal distributions, statistical inference, linear regression, and correlation.

Prerequisite: Placement into MATH 021 or higher		 4 credits
Life Sciences Courses (Choose 3 credits)
Title Abbreviation Description Credits
Introductory Chemistry CHEM 101 (GN) Selected principles and applications of chemistry.

Prerequisite: MATH 021 		 3 credits
Elementary Microbiology MICRB 106 (GN) Importance of microorganisms in health and disease, agriculture, and industry; descriptive course for students not planning advanced study in microbiology. 3 credits

Note: Courses taken to fulfill this requirement may not be double counted toward the 12 credits of Basic Sciences.

Additional Courses — Basic Sciences (Choose 12 credits)
Title Abbreviation Description Credits
Introductory Biological Anthropology ANTH 021 (GN) The role of human biology and evolution in culture, society, and behavior.  3 credits
Humans as Primates ANTH 022 (GN) The biological basis of human behavior within the context of primate biology, behavior, and evolution.  3 credits
Introduction to the Biology of Aging BIOL 155 (GN) Examination of human aging from a biological perspective. Population demographics, physiological and pathological changes, and healthy lifestyles are discussed. Students who have passed BIOL 409 may not schedule this course.  3 credits
Fundamentals of Organic Chemistry I CHEM 202 Introduction to organic chemistry, with emphasis on the properties of organic compounds of biochemical importance.

Prerequisite: CHEM 101 or CHEM 110 or CHEM 106   		 3 credits
Earth in the Future: Predicting Climate Change and Its Impacts Over the Next Century EARTH 103 (GN) Climate predictions for the coming century are utilized to examine potential impacts on regions, sectors of society, and natural ecosystems. 3 credits
Energy and the Environment EGEE 101 (GN) Energy utilization and technological development, energy resources, conversion and consequences on the local and global environment, and future energy alternatives.  3 credits
Energy Conservation for Environmental Protection EGEE 102 (GN) Exposure to energy efficiency in day-to-day life to save money and energy, and thereby protect the environment.  3 credits
Elementary Microbiology MICRB 106 (GN) Importance of microorganisms in health and disease, agriculture, and industry; descriptive course for students not planning advanced study in microbiology. The combination of MICRB 106 GN and 107 GN must be taken to receive General Education credit in biology. 3 credits
Elementary Microbiology Laboratory MICRB 107 (GN) Selected techniques used to observe, identify, and count bacteria; effects of chemical and physical agents on microorganisms. The combination of MICRB 106 GN and 107 GN must be taken to receive General Education credit in biology.

Prerequisite or concurrent: MICRB 106		 1 credit
Neurological Bases of Human Behavior  PSYCH 260 An introduction to biopsychology, emphasizing the structure and function of the human brain.  3 credits
Abnormal Psychology PSYCH 470 Causes, dynamics, symptoms, and treatment of neuroses, psychoses, personality disorders, and other psychological disorders of adulthood.

Prerequisite: PSYCH 100; PSYCH 238, PSYCH 243 or PSYCH 27		 3 credits
Additional BBH Courses (Select 15 credits; 6 must be at the 400 level)
Description Credits
BBH courses chosen from a predetermined list in consultation with program. Additional course details and program requirements can be found in the Undergraduate Bulletin. Please consult with your adviser. 15 credits
Health and Developmental Science Courses (Choose 9 credits)
Title Abbreviation Description Credits
Deaf Culture CSD 269 (GS) Explores the economic, social, psychological, and political aspects of the deaf culture and its interaction with the majority hearing culture.  3 credits
Consumer Choices in Health Care HPA 057 Introduction to consumers' role in health-care decisions, including health benefits, physician and hospital choice, and end-of-life choices. 3 credits
Introduction to Health Services Organization HPA 101 Examination of the social, political, historic, and scientific factors in the development and organization of health services.  3 credits
Health Care and Medical Needs HPA 310 Health care from an individual, family, and community standpoint illustrated with specific diseases and health problems.

Prerequisite: BBH 101, BI SC 004 or BIOL 141   		 3 credits
Infant and Child Development HDFS 229 (GS) Theory, research, and methods of social/behavioral/biological sciences related to developmental processes and intervention during infancy and childhood.  3 credits
Adolescent Development HDFS 239 (GS) Social, behavioral, and biological development and intervention throughout adolescence.  3 credits
Adult Development and Aging HDFS 249 (GS) Physiological, psychological, and social development and intervention from young adulthood through old age. 3 credits
Human Development and Family Studies Interventions HDFS 311 Survey of individual and family formal and informal intervention efforts; historical and current perspectives and approaches.

Prerequisite: HDFS 129		 3 credits
Family Development HDFS 315Y Family functions over the life course; family from a multidisciplinary perspective, emphasizing adaptation and change.

Prerequisite: HDFS 129; 3 credits of social behavioral or human biological sciences		 3 credits
Family Relationships HDFS 418 Dynamics of family interaction; effects of parenthood, sibling and intergeneration relationships on family solidarity.

Prerequisite: HDFS 312W; HDFS 315 or HDFS 315W 		 3 credits

Infant Development

 HDFS 428 Conceptual analysis, assessment, and empirical investigation of normal and deviant development, prenatal through first two years of life.

Prerequisite: HDFS 229 or PSYCH 212; HDFS 312W		 3 credits
Advanced Child Development HDFS 429 Processes of development during childhood from birth to adolescence. Emphasis upon theory, method, and empirical research.

Prerequisite: HDFS 229 or PSYCH 212; HDFS 312W  		 3 credits
Developmental Transition to Adulthood HDFS 433 Conceptual analysis and empirical investigation of interrelationships between developmental processes during the period of pubertal growth.

Prerequisite: HDFS 239; HDFS 312W		 3 credits
Development Throughout Adulthood HDFS 445 Processes of development and change of behavior from early adulthood through old age, emphasizing theory, method, and empirical research.

Prerequisite: HDFS 249 or PSYCH 100; HDFS 312W or PSYCH 301W; PSYCH 200, STAT 200 or 3 credits of statistics; 6 credits in HDFS, PSYCH or SOC.   		 3 credits
Introduction to Developmental Psychology PSYCH 212 Developmental principles; physical growth; linguistic, intellectual, emotional, and social development from infancy to maturity.

Prerequisite: PSYCH 100   		 3 credits
Introduction to Well-being and Positive Psychology  PSYCH 243 Applying psychological knowledge to develop and maintain effective personal adjustment and well-being and positive social relations.

Prerequisite: PSYCH 100  		 3 credits
Health Psychology PSYCH 441 Overview of the field with an emphasis on how psychological research contributes to an understanding of health and behavior.

Prerequisite: PSYCH 100; 6 additional credits of PSYCH 		 3 credits
Leisure and Human Behavior RPTM 120 Leisure from historical and contemporary perspectives, including forces shaping leisure behavior, and relationships among leisure, the environment, and social institutions.  3 credits
Human Development and Family Studies Courses (Choose 3 credits)
Title Abbreviation Description Credits
Introduction to Human Development and Family Studies HDFS 129 (GS) Introduction to psychosocial and family development at all stages of the individual and family life cycle. Students may take only one course for General Education credit from SOC 030 or HDFS 129.  3 credits
Infant and Child Development HDFS 229 (GS) Theory, research, and methods of social/behavioral/biological sciences related to developmental processes and intervention during infancy and childhood.  3 credits
Adolescent Development HDFS 239 (GS) Social, behavioral, and biological development and intervention throughout adolescence. 3 credits
Adult Development and Aging HDFS 249 (GS) Physiological, psychological, and social development and intervention from young adulthood through old age. 3 credits
Ethics Course (3 credits)
Title Abbreviation Description Credits
Values and Ethics in Biobehavioral Health Research and Practice BBH 301W Examines bases for choices among values in personal and professional relations in human development processes and supporting services.

Prerequisite: BBH 101		 3 credits
Supporting Courses and Related Areas (15 credits*)
Description Credits
400-level health promotion from approved list, in consultation with adviser. 3 credits
University-wide offerings from approved list, in consultation with adviser. 12 credits
General Education (45 credits**)
Description Credits
Arts – GA 6 credits
Humanities – GH 6 credits
Health and Wellness – GHW 3 credits
Natural Sciences – GN 9 credits
Social and Behavioral Sciences – GS 6 credits
Writing and Speaking – GWS* 9 credits
Quantification – GQ* 6 credits
Integrative Studies (6 credits)***

*A student enrolled in this course must receive a grade of C or better.

**12 credits are included in the requirements for the major.

***This requirement only applies to students starting in summer 2018 or later. Learn more about the Integrative Studies options and consult your academic adviser when choosing courses to fulfill these requirements. 

Course Availability

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