Biobehavioral Systems in Health and Development: Theory and Processes

Catalog description

Examination of theories and basic processes for understanding individuals as dynamic biobehavioral complex systems functioning through continual inter- actions. BB H 501BB H 501 Biobehavioral Systems in Health and Development: Theory and Processes (3)Understanding the etiology of illness and the design of intervention strategies for promoting healthy development, preventing illness, and accomplishing remediation and rehabilitation require a multidisciplinary understanding of the theoretical basis of normal healthy human development and the complex biological processes that form the basis of health and development. This course (BB H 501) presents the theoretical framework of humans as complex dynamic systems, followed by modules on processes of cell biology and genetics as complex systems. The second course (BB H 503) continues with modules of the processes of neurobiology, endocrinology, immunology, and pharmacology followed by a section on integrative biology and health. The modules of biological processes are developed from the perspective of how the physiological aspects of the area of biology is relevant to behavioral development and on what aspect of this area of biology is linked to behavior. These processes are considered in the context of their role in the comprehensive theoretical models developed in the first section of the course. Similar integration with a primary emphasis on behavioral processes is offered in other courses that form the core graduate curriculum in Biobehavioral Health. Evaluation of the theories section will be by written exam, oral presentation, and seminar participation. Evaluation of the cell biology, genetics, and neurobiology components will be by written exam for each component. This initial required course in the biobehavioral health sequence is designed to provide a multidisciplinary framework of theory and knowledge of biobehavioral processes and their implications for health and illness on which other biobehavioral health courses can build. It is the first of a two-course sequence (BB H 501 and BB H 503). It will be required by all graduate majors in Biobehavioral Health. It will be available to students in other doctoral programs it could be a part of a Biobehavioral Health minor for other students. This course will be offered every fall semester beginning with the first fall semester after approval and will enroll a maximum of twenty students.Faculty: George Vogler and Byron Jones