The Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Human Developmental Sciences with a Specialization in Equity and Diversity is designed for those considering advanced graduate level study or other professional engagement in the health sciences, therapy, rehabilitation, or research and who wish to broaden their understanding of diverse perspectives. Please note that all classes taken for this Bachelor of Science specialization must be taken for letter grades.
8 courses (32 units)
HDS 1 - Introduction to Human Developmental Sciences
(offered fall and spring)
For students who declared the HDS major Fall 2021 or later:
For students who declared the HDS major prior to Fall 2021:
One course selected from the following approved list:
13 courses (56 units)
A total of 4 courses with at least 1 course from each Domain is required.
Domain 1 - The Biological Basis of Human Development (one required):
Three courses - one course from each domain is required.
Domain 1 - Biological Development:
In addition to the 3 domain requirements above, two additional developmental specialization courses in Equity and Diversity are required. See the next section for course options.
Two courses - must complete two courses from those listed below
The following courses now accepted (by request)! Please notify us in VAC if you would like to use any of the following, so we can credit your degree audit:
ANBI 130. Biology of Inequality (4)
Biological and health consequences of racial and social inequalities. Psychosocial stress and measurement of health impact. Effects on disease and precursors to disease, including measures of molecular biology (e.g., epigenetics, gene expression), and biomarkers of inflammation, cardiometabolic health, and immune function. Prerequisites: upper-division standing.
ANSC 113. Language, Style, and Youth Identities (4)
Young people draw on language as well as clothing and music to display identities in contemporary societies. We examine the relation of language to race, class, gender, and ethnicity in youth identity construction, especially in multilingual and multiracial societies. Prerequisites: upper-division standing.
ANSC 162. Language, Identity, and Community (4)
This course examines the use of language difference in negotiating identity in bilingual and bidialectal communities, and in structuring interethnic relations. It addresses social tensions around language variation and the social significance of language choices in several societies. Prerequisites: upper-division standing.
BILD 60. Exploring Issues of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Relation to Human Biology (4)
This course will examine diversity, equity, and inclusion beginning with a biological framework. Focus will be on how underlying biological differences have been used to support bias and prejudice against particular groups such as women, African Americans, and Latinos. This course is approved to meet the campus Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) requirement. Prerequisites: BILD 1 and BILD 2 or 3.
EDS 117/SOCI 117. Language, Culture, and Education (4)
(Same as SOCI 117) The mutual influence of language, culture, and education will be explored; explanations of students’ school successes and failures that employ linguistic and cultural variables will be considered; bilingualism and cultural transmission through education. Students may not receive credit for EDS 117 and SOCI 117 and EDS 117GS. Prerequisites: upper-division standing.
SOCI 127. Immigration, Race, and Ethnicity (4)
Examination of the role that race and ethnicity play in immigrant group integration. Topics include theories of integration, racial and ethnic identity formation, racial and ethnic change, immigration policy, public opinion, comparisons between contemporary and historical waves of immigration. Prerequisites: upper-division standing. Will not receive credit for SOCI 127 and SOCB 127.
SOCI 173. Sociology of Health, Illness, and Medicine (4)
This course will explore the social forces that shape our health and the way we understand illness. Themes will include American public health and health care, inequality and biomedicine, as well as special topics like suicide, lead, autism, and HIV/AIDS. Prerequisites: upper-division standing.
The Equity and Diversity Practicum is a third methods/practicum requirement. All of the courses available for this requirement are UCSD DEI certified courses and were selected and designed to broaden understanding of diverse perspectives.
One course selected from the following approved list:
The Senior Seminar Capstone is a special topics seminar that provides advanced-level study on subfields of human development (must be taken in-residence).
HDS 150 - Advanced Human Development (Prerequisites: HDS 181, Senior Standing, and department approval).