Medical Behavioral Science Certificate

The 12 credit hour undergraduate certificate in Medical Behavioral Science is designed to complement the university’s rigorous pre-medical curriculum, which currently includes courses in biology, chemistry, physics, and English. The certificate consists of three sequential courses and a cross-disciplinary elective. The courses are uniquely focused on synthesizing the psychological, social, and biological dimensions of health outcomes and behavior.

The course objectives are aligned with the new Behavioral Science section of the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) and with Introduction to Clinical Medicine, the University of Kentucky’s mandatory Behavioral Science course for first-year medical students.

The certificate is designed to provide students with an in-depth study of Medical Behavioral Science concepts; offer experiential learning activities such as conducting health needs assessments and taking part in supervised shadowing placements; and prepare students for successfully managing the both the intellectual and interpersonal demands of medical training.

Required Courses

BSC 152 - YOU, ME, MYSELF, AND I: PSYCHOSOCIAL INFLUENCES ON HEALTH Credit(s): 3
BSC 251 - THE ENEMY WITHIN: CULTURE AND HEALTH BEHAVIOR Credit(s): 3
BSC 301 - DOCTORING UNDERCOVER: SHADOWING AND THE CULTURE OF MEDICINE Credit(s): 3

In addition, students must complete one of the elective courses below:

ANT 333 - CONTEMPORARY HUMAN VARIATION Credit(s): 3
ANT 429 - SURVEY OF MEDICAL ANTHROPOLOGY Credit(s): 3
BIO 302 - INTRODUCTION TO NEUROSCIENCE Credit(s): 3
BIO 375 - BEHAVIORAL ECOLOGY AND SOCIOBIOLOGY Credit(s): 3
SOC 255 - MEDICINE, HEALTH, AND SOCIETY Credit(s): 3
SOC 355 - SOCIOLOGY OF HEALTH AND ILLNESS Credit(s): 3
other relevant 3-credit courses may be counted for the elective credit with the review and approval of the certificate director