2025-2026 General Catalog
Source: https://catalog.ucdavis.edu/departments-programs-degrees/human-ecology/human-development-bs/ Parent: https://catalog.ucdavis.edu/departments-programs-degrees/#programsanddegreestext
Department of Human Ecology; 1303 Hart Hall; 530-752-1805; Human Development, Faculty
Human development explores the developmental process in humans throughout the life cycle. Biological, psychological, social, and contextual processes on development are studied. Students can choose emphases in Health and Well being across the Lifespan, or Children and Families across the Lifespan.
The Program
Human development majors complete a group of preparatory courses in anthropology, biology, philosophy, psychology, and statistics. Upper division students can design their programs to specialize in one of two track areas. For instance, students can study either Health and Well being, or Children and Families, both of these tracks emphasize a lifespan developmental approach. Students can also pursue the general Human Development track which broadly exposes students to multiple influences on individual development and family processes.
Internships & Career Alternatives
At least one practicum course is required. A second practicum or supervised internship can be used to fulfill the restricted elective requirement for the major. In addition, students can intern in schools, early childhood education or senior centers, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, probation offices, group foster homes, mental health clinics, or as tutors for handicapped or bilingual students. Human development graduates fill a wide variety of positions in preschools, elementary and special educational settings, programs designed for parents, families, and the elderly, as well as governmental jobs related to social services for people of all ages. Students who choose the Health & Well being track can apply to medical school or pursue training for positions in the health sciences. Human development prepares students to pursue advanced degrees in behavioral and social sciences, education, social work, family law, or health sciences.
Preparatory Requirements
UC Davis students who wish to change their major to Human Development must be in good academic standing. Students must complete the following courses with a combined grade point average of at least 2.500. All of the following courses must be taken for a letter grade:
Course List
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| PSC 001 | General Psychology | 4 |
| or PSC 001V | General Psychology | |
| Choose one: | 4 | |
| STA 013 | Elementary Statistics | |
| or STA 013Y | Elementary Statistics | |
| PSC 041 | Research Methods in Psychology | |
| or PSC 041V | Research Methods in Psychology | |
| Choose one: | 4-5 | |
| ANT 001 | Human Evolutionary Biology | |
| or ANT 001Y (DISCONTINUED) | ||
| ANT 002 | Cultural Anthropology | |
| ANT 015 | From Birth to Death: The Evolution of the Human Life Cycle | |
| Choose one: | 5-3 | |
| BIS 002A | Introduction to Biology: Essentials of Life on Earth | |
| BIS 010 | Everyday Biology | |
| MMG 010 | ||
| or MIC 010 | Natural History of Infectious Diseases | |
| NPB 010 | Elementary Human Physiology | |
| NPB 012 | The Human Brain & Disease | |
| NPB 101 | Systemic Physiology | |
| PSC 101 | Introduction to Biological Psychology |
Students must have achieved a 2.000 GPA in any required upper division courses taken prior to declaring the major.
All courses satisfying the Preparatory Subject Matter, Depth Subject Matter, Restricted Electives and Human Development Major English Coursework Requirement must be taken for a letter grade.
Lead Faculty Advisor
Leah Hibel
Graduate Study
Graduate study is available through a Master of Science degree in child development, and a Ph.D. degree in human development. See also Graduate Studies.
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