Behavioral Science Concentration
In this concentration, students are provided with the behavioral science theories, methods, and research findings to provide a disciplinary understanding of how scientists think about and understand human behavior. Students will understand and apply psychological principles to personal, social, and organizational issues. Students will develop insight into their own and others’ behavior and mental processes and apply effective strategies for self-management and self-improvement.
CEBS 100 - Introduction to Behavioral Science
This course is an introduction to and survey of the science of human behavior and mental processes. There will be a primary emphasis on the application of scientific reasoning and the empirical method to the study of topics such as learning and cognition, the biological bases of behavior, personality, motivation and emotion, social and group dynamics, developmental processes, and behavioral disorders and treatment.
CEBS 200W - Research and Evaluation in Behavioral Science
This course is an introduction to the fundamentals of quantitative behavioral research including the identification and selection of testable research problems, developing hypotheses, research designs, data analysis, writing research papers in the APA style, and ethical conduct in research. Students will learn to critically evaluate published journal articles including understanding potential sources of bias. Statistical Analysis is a prerequisite for this course.
CEBS 300 - Social Environment and Human Behavior
This course outlines how people’s behavior, feelings, and thoughts are influenced or determined by their social environment. Topics include person perception, prejudice, discrimination and diversity, the nature of attitudes and social cognition, group dynamics and behavior, and interpersonal relations.
CEBS 301 - Science of Positive Psychology
This course covers the basics of the new science of positive psychology and reviews empirical evidence of successful positive psychology interventions. The focus will be on human strengths rather than weaknesses, and on understanding human happiness, well-being, flow, optimism, and flourishing. Students will gain practical skills in applying positive psychology exercises to their own lives.
CEBS 302 - Life Span Development
This course focuses on the theoretical and empirical models that direct developmental research on adulthood and old age. A primary emphasis will be placed on reviewing the empirical literature concerning developmental changes in cognition, motivation, and emotion.
CEBS 400 - Disorders of Human Behavior
This course is an overview of psychopathology and abnormal behavior among adults. The focus will be on theoretical models of abnormal behavior as they relate to the definition, etiology, and treatment of mental disorders. Diagnostic classification, behavioral, and biological features of the major syndromes of psychopathology will be discussed.
CEBS 401 - Health and Human Behavior
This course is concerned with how behavior influences the development of and recovery from disease. The course will introduce the biopsychosocial model and review existing behavioral, psychosocial, and epidemiological data on the relationship between behavior and disease, and how behavior, emotion, and cognition can influence the disease process.