MCCCD Program Description

Biological and Environmental Bases of Behavior

Course: BHS400

First Term: 2023 Fall

Lecture 3.0 Credit(s) 3.0 Period(s) 3.0 Load
Subject Type: Academic
Load Formula: S- Standard

Description: Examination of human behavior from biophysiological, psychosocial-cognitive, and social-cultural perspectives using relevant theories. Focuses on the nervous system, brain function, and cognition, as well as the role of psychopharmacology in behavioral healthcare.

MCCCD Official Course Competencies
1. Examine the organization of the nervous system and regions of the brain in relation to human behavior, emotion, and cognition. (I, II, III) 2. Examine the impact of trauma on neurodevelopment and behavioral health functioning. (I, IV, V) 3. Examine biological, cognitive-affective, and social-cultural theoretical frameworks supported by empirical evidence to understand individual development and human behavior. (I-V) 4. Identify genetic factors related to the etiology of chronic health conditions, mental illness, and substance use disorders. (I, V) 5. Identify the major classes of psychotropic medications, their effects on the brain, and their impacts on behavior in the treatment of mental illness. (I-V) 6. Analyze environmental and sociocultural factors associated with chronic health conditions, mental illness, and substance use disorders. (III, IV, V) 7. Evaluate psychosocial and community interventions in the integrated treatment of chronic health conditions, mental illness, and substance use disorders. (III, IV, VI) 8. Evaluate the interaction between biological and environmental factors associated with chronic health conditions, mental illness, and substance use disorders. (IV, V) 9. Examine the role of medication-assisted treatment with substance use disorders. (IV, V, VI)
MCCCD Official Course Competencies must be coordinated with the content outline so that each major point in the outline serves one or more competencies. MCCCD faculty retains authority in determining the pedagogical approach, methodology, content sequencing, and assessment metrics for student work. Please see individual course syllabi for additional information, including specific course requirements.

MCCCD Official Course Outline
I. Biophysiological foundations A. Neuroanatomy 1. Brain and central nervous system 2. Neurodevelopment B. Neurophysiology 1. Function of the nervous system 2. Function of brain systems 3. Neuroplasticity of the brain and nervous system 4. Neuronal communication 5. Sensation, perception, and consciousness C. Neuroimaging and research methods D. Biological bases of behavior II. Cognitive-Affective Foundations A. Cognitive functions 1. Sensations 2. Perceptions 3. Attention 4. Memory 5. Intelligence B. Learning 1. Classical conditioning 2. Operant conditioning 3. Reinforcement schedule 4. Social learning C. Emotions and motivation 1. Theories of emotional experience 2. Theories of motivation D. Cognitive-affective bases of behavior III. Sociocultural foundations A. Environmental and ecological psychology B. Social cognition C. Evolutionary perspective D. Sociocultural influence on physical, psychological, and emotional health E. Experience-dependent neuroplasticity IV. Interrelationships between biophysiological, cognitive-affective, and sociocultural foundations V. Health psychology A. Biological influence of health and illness B. Cognitive-affective influence of health and illness C. Sociocultural influence of health and illness VI. Interventions A. Psychopharmacology 1. Pharmacokinetics 2. Pharmacodynamics 3. Classification of psychiatric medication a. Antidepressants b. Antipsychotics c. Stimulants d. Mood stabilizers e. Anxiolytics 4. Complementary and alternative medicine approaches B. Cognitive-behavioral approaches C. Culturally sensitive and community interventions

MCCCD Governing Board Approval Date: August 23, 2022

All information published is subject to change without notice. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information presented, but based on the dynamic nature of the curricular process, course and program information is subject to change in order to reflect the most current information available.