The course begins by questioning our understanding of normal and abnormal behaviors, and the potential genetic basis for them.

• A hypothetical scenario of a man exhibiting abnormal behaviors is presented to introduce the discussion on genetic influence.
• The lecturer conducts a quick survey to gauge students' beliefs on various topics like genetic impact on sexual orientation, prenatal influences on politics, and religious inclinations.
• Students' beliefs about free will and evolution are also polled to understand the class's stance on complex behavioral topics.

The course's structure, including the topics and the way they will be taught, is laid out.

• The course will cover various disciplines such as genetics, endocrinology, and the neurobiology of behavior.
• It will illustrate how human behavior is influenced by various biological factors, both internal and external.
• The course encourages thinking beyond categorical boundaries and integrating knowledge across disciplines.

Three intellectual challenges of studying human behavioral biology are presented.

• The first challenge is recognizing when humans are just like other animals, with no special distinctions in behavior.
• The second challenge is when humans share the same basic physiology as other animals but use it in unique ways, such as in the case of stress and empathy.
• The third challenge involves human behaviors that have no equivalent in the animal kingdom, like the use of language and certain aspects of sexuality.

The practical details of the course are explained, including the grading system, midterm, final, and course materials.

• The course has no prerequisites and is designed for students from diverse academic backgrounds.
• There will be weekly sections, a midterm, and a final exam; the format of exams is primarily multiple-choice.
• Course materials include two books and online resources, with some materials available for download to reduce paper usage.