› Biobehavioral Health UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAM
The program is designed to help you understand all of the factors that impact health, including biological, behavioral, social/cultural, and environmental
› Biobehavioral Health Solving Problems of Human Health
› BACHELOR OF SCIENCE DEGREE
As a student studying Biobehavioral Health, you will learn about the critical connections among genetics, biology, behavior, environment, and health. The Biobehavioral Health program uses methods and insights from multiple fields and allows you to explore all factors that influence the health of individuals and groups through the lifespan. You will learn to look at health issues from all angles. Graduates of the Biobehavioral Health program go on to work in many settings, including in the medical field, public health, private industry, and community health promotion. The program has a great deal of flexibility and allows you to tailor your degree to meet your career goals. It can also lay an excellent groundwork for graduate school, including medical school and other clinical fields. In addition to coursework, you will have the opportunity to participate in research projects being conducted by faculty members and researchers. Here you can gain lab or field experience, help researchers prepare genetic assays, interview patients, or complete clinical tests. You will receive support and guidance from faculty and staff as you apply for internship opportunities. Additionally, you may benefit from our well-established professional connections and our devoted alumni. Internships range from working on employer health promotion programs to conducting community health assessments or similar practical experiences.
› Program overview A bachelor of science (B.S.) degree in Biobehavioral Health will help you learn how to address and solve problems of human health and illness. With classes in chemistry, biology, physiology, and genetics, you will have the opportunity to understand the science behind health. Additional classes in psychology, human development, health policy, and other social and behavioral sciences help you explore the connections among biology, behavior, and health. The program is designed to help you prepare for entrylevel jobs in a range of biomedical and health-related areas, including in research, laboratory management, and biomedical products. This major also will provide excellent preparation for advanced study in areas such as medicine, public health, environmental health and safety, and human services. As a successful graduate of the Biobehavioral Health program, you may use your skills and expertise in the workforce to understand the basic processes that influence health and disease. You may also use your training to plan and implement health promotion programs, helping people lead healthier lives.
Minor
The Global Health minor is designed to help you understand the issues affecting the health of various populations around the world. You will be encouraged to explore the global connection of current population health problems. You will also be challenged to think critically about how particular global health challenges might best be solved. This minor is an excellent fit if you have any interest in health services careers or would like to understand health from a global perspective.
› Careers Overview The Biobehavioral Health program may be the right choice for you if you are interested in the health and medical field. There are many careers available in health where your skills and knowledge could be used. Clinical
Public Health
If you are interested in pursuing a career as a health care provider, the skills and training you have the opportunity to receive in Biobehavioral Health program are a great fit. You may work as a medical doctor, a physician’s assistant, a nurse, a physical therapist, or as an occupational therapist.
This program may be right for those interested in working in research or as a government employee with groups such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or a state health department. You may help identify health concerns facing a population or research how an epidemic can be averted.
Community Health Promotion
Employee/Corporate Health
For those interested in the social aspect of health, you may work for a services organization that helps bring health awareness and best practices to light for others. You may also work to influence policy and public opinion on health issues.
If you are interested in helping companies keep employees healthy, you may work for a corporation to deliver health promotion and intervention programs. Or you may help advocate for patients within a health system or health plan.
You may help identify health concerns facing a population or research how stress affects health
› Biobehavioral Health Department of Biobehavioral Health The Pennsylvania State University 219 Biobehavioral Health Building University Park, PA 16802 814-863-7256 bbh.hhd.psu.edu
Penn State is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer, and is committed to providing employment opportunities to minorities, women, veterans, individuals with disabilities, and other protected groups. Nondiscrimination: http://guru.psu.edu/policies/AD85.html (UNDG16065) U.Ed. HHD 16-065