
Required courses
All students are expected to take five core classes, three elective courses and one dedicated capstone research project to earn the nine c.u. required for the Master of Behavioral and Decision Sciences.
Course Number | Course Title |
---|---|
5010 | Behavioral Science: Theory and Application of Experimental Methods |
5020 | Norms and Nudges |
5030 | Behavioral Public Policy |
5210 | Judgments & Decisions |
Quantitative unit | Based on an evaluation prior to the start of the program, you will be assigned to ONE of the following two courses:
|
599 6760 | Capstone Experience Research Project (Parts I and II in fall and spring, respectively) |
The goal of the Master of Behavioral and Decision Sciences is to equip students with practical tools for applications and a focused academic portfolio. You can select three courses from disciplines and schools across the University in relation to your academic and professional goals. An advisor from the program works with you one-on-one to craft a successful curriculum.
Elective concentrations include:
- Public health
- Psychology/Neuroscience
- Education policy
- Social and public policy
- Economics/Neuroeconomics
- Sociology/Networks
- Computational systems
Course Number | Course Title |
---|---|
5060 | Applied Statistics for Behavioral Science |
5090 | Applied Game Theory |
5000 | Introduction to Behavioral and Decision Making (based on availability) |
Across private and public sectors, it is increasingly recognized how insights from behavioral science help in solving a variety of problems, optimizing processes, and achieving efficient outcomes. But how is this change taking place? How are businesses using behavioral insights to have a positive impact, and what type of professional from the field are they looking for?
The new Capstone Experience course consists of two semesters where students are invited to engage in a dialogue with industry to understand the landscape of the field of behavioral sciences, and use the tools learned in MBDS courses to tackle specific industry problems.
In the first semester (fall), students will engage in a conversation with industry leaders that will provide them with first-hand knowledge of a) how behavioral science is applied in organizations across several domains, b) why behavioral science insights and tools are becoming increasingly relevant in organizational settings, and c) what MBDS graduates can expect when they finally get to the job market. Students will use these conversations to identify, develop, and focus on their professional goals, helping them to refine their academic plans to support these goals. In the spring, students embark on a Design Challenge, where, in teams, they will have a chance to use instructional and strategic input from these conversations to shape their work.
Students in the Master of Behavioral and Decision Sciences program are eligible to use electives to complete the Graduate Certificate in Social, Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience (SCAN). The four required courses provide a strong foundation in neuroscience for non-scientists, emphasizing the aspects of neuroscience that are most relevant to understanding human behavior. If you are interested in this certificate, please contact penn-scan@sas.upenn.edu.
Summer 2022
Course Number | Course Title |
---|---|
BDS 5030 975 | Behavioral Public Policy |
BDS 5060 975 | Applied Statistics for Behavioral & Decision Sciences |
BDS 5090 976 | Applied Game Theory |
BDS 5850 975 | Consulting in Behavioral Science |
BDS 5999 975 | Behavioral Science Individual Capstone |
BDS 8970 900 | CPT Practicum: CPT Practicum |
Fall 2022
Course Number | Course Title |
---|---|
BDS 5010 675 | Behavioral Science: Theory and Application of Experimental Methods |
BDS 5030 675 | Behavioral Public Policy |
BDS 5110 675 | Negotiation Behavior |
BDS 5210 675 | Judgments & Decisions |
BDS 5220 675 | Statistical Reasoning for Behavioral Science |
BDS 5250 675 | Organizational Behavior |
BDS 5990 675 | Capstone Experience |
BDS 5999 675 | Behavioral Science Individual Capstone |
BDS 9900 675 | Master's Continuation |