Human Biology

Bachelor of Science

The human biology major is intended to prepare students for graduate studies and careers in the health sciences, such as physician assistant, medical technology, cytotechnology, health administration, hematology, radiological technology, respiratory therapy, pharmacy, etc. Each of these programs has specific and slightly varied entrance requirements that should be investigated and satisfied by the student.

Learning Outcomes

• Students will demonstrate familiarity with the knowledge base comprising the field of biology, with a focus on human structure and function

• Students will become familiar with the process of scientific inquiry

• Students will be able to effectively communicate scientific findings

What You'll Learn

Students will learn broad biology concepts, with an emphasis on human structure and function, as well as the process of scientific inquiry, and an ability to effectively communicate scientific findings.

Future Studies

After successful completion students will be prepared for graduate studies in the health sciences, such as cytotechnology, hematology, radiological technology, respiratory therapy, etc.

Career Opportunities

A degree in Human Biology prepares students for a career in a large variety of Health Science fields such as physician assistant, medical technology, health administration, pharmacy, etc.

Major Requirements

  • BIO1200: Human Anatomy and Physiology I, with laboratory
  • BIO1210: Human Anatomy and Physiology II, with laboratory
  • BIO1400: Biology I, with laboratory
  • BIO2200: Pathophysiology
  • BIO4350: Evolution
  • BIO4804: Senior Seminar in Human Biology

Choose one from the following courses:

  • BIO1300: Principles of Microbiology, with laboratory
  • BIO2430: Microbiology, with laboratory

And one from the following courses:

  • BIO2400: Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy, with laboratory
  • BIO2410: Animal Histology, with laboratory

Plus a minimum of 12 semester hours of elective credits from the following:

  • BIO2400: Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy, with laboratory
  • BIO2410: Animal Histology, with laboratory
  • BIO3400: Cell Biology, with laboratory
  • BIO3410: Immunology, with laboratory
  • BIO3420: Comparative Embryology, with laboratory
  • BIO3430: Animal Physiology, with laboratory
  • BIO3450: Genetics, with laboratory
  • BIO4030: Molecular Biology, with laboratory
  • BIO4210: Mammalogy, with laboratory
  • CHE3200: Introduction to Biochemistry

Other 2000/3000-level biology courses may be accepted at the discretion of the advisor or Division Chair

Plus one of the following courses:

  • MAT2004: Biostatistics

All human biology majors must also complete the required core in allied fields:

  • CHE1600: General Chemistry I, with review and laboratory
  • CHE1700: General Chemistry II, with review and laboratory
  • CHE2400: Organic Chemistry I, with laboratory
  • CHE2500: Organic Chemistry II, with laboratory
  • PHY1600: General Physics I, with review and laboratory
  • PHY1800: General Physics II, with review and laboratory

Additionally, all human biology majors must complete two of the following courses:

  • MAT1840: College Algebra and Trigonometry
  • MAT2400: Calculus I
  • MAT2500: Calculus II, with laboratory

Minor requirements

  • BIO1400: Biology I, with laboratory
  • BIO1200: Human Anatomy and Physiology I, with laboratory
  • BIO1210: Human Anatomy and Physiology II, with laboratory

Plus a minimum of 11 credits of Biology courses at the 2000-3000 level that satisfy the Human Biology major and include at least two courses with a laboratory component.

Course Descriptions

This course presents the basic patterns and organizational theories of the human body, including topics of interest for students seeking careers in the health sciences, using a systems approach from cellular levels and support systems to control and regulation. One three-hour laboratory period per week with laboratory fee.

This course continues the systematic exploration of the human body, including clinical considerations of the endocrine, cardiovascular, immune, respiratory, digestive, urinary, and reproductive systems. One three-hour laboratory period per week with laboratory fee.

This course is intended for students majoring in biology. It is an introduction to living organisms through the topics of molecular biology, biochemistry, cell biology, and genetics. One three-hour laboratory period per week with laboratory fee.

A study of concepts and information about disease as it occurs in the individual, this course involves the study of pathologies pervading all systems, and those unique to specific organ systems.

Mechanisms of variation and adaptation in individuals and populations will be examined, with emphasis on historical and current concepts of speciation and systematics.

The student will present seminars on current topics of biological research. Oral presentation techniques will be emphasized and a term paper is required.

This course introduces the student to the biology of microorganisms and viruses. The course is geared toward students in the health science fields and covers human pathogens and their control and the immune response. Laboratory exercises cover microbial diversity and techniques used to identify bacteria. One 3 1/2-hour laboratory period per week with laboratory fee.

A comparative study of the classes of vertebrates, this course emphasizes the evolution of morphological characteristics. One three-hour laboratory period per week with laboratory fee.

This course includes a comprehensive presentation of mammalian microscopic anatomy. The organization of tissues, organs, and organ systems will be examined. One three-hour laboratory period per week with laboratory fee.

Description pending.

The principles of immunology are presented, including the general properties of the immune response, lymphocyte specificity and activation, immunogenetics, antigen-antibody interactions, congenital and acquired immunodeficiencies, the functions of cytokines and serology. The laboratory includes exercises and experiments illustrating the lecture topics. One 3-1/2 hour laboratory period per week with laboratory fee.

This course presents the general principles and concepts of comparative vertebrate embryology accompanied by an evaluation of pertinent advances in developmental biology. One 3 1/2-hour laboratory period per week with laboratory fee.

Physiological control mechanisms are examined on cellular and organismal levels. The laboratory includes experiments and exercises illustrating principles of homeostasis, muscle action, nerve transmission, and sensory function. One three-hour laboratory period per week with laboratory fee.

This course covers the principles of genetics from Mendel to modern genetic techniques used in biotechnology. One three-hour laboratory period per week with laboratory fee.

This course explores the foundations of molecular biology, and surveys many applications of molecular biology in academic, medical, industrial, and agricultural fields. Throughout the course, ethical and social concerns related to these applications are highlighted. The laboratory portion of the course emphasizes hands-on training in recombinant DNA techniques and computational analysis of data. Recent advances in large-scale genomic sequencing, whole-genome functional analysis, computational molecular biology, and bioinformatic topics are also covered. A laboratory fee is charged.

An in-depth review of anatomical and physiological adaptations is comparatively applied to a study of the mammalian orders. The evolution, geographic distribution, and taxonomy of local mammals are emphasized, and topics of particular interest to students will be examined. One three-hour laboratory period per week with laboratory fee.

This course examines the structure and function of the principal molecular components of living systems, including proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, and lipids. The study of enzyme function and catabolism is also included.

This course examines the control of enzymes and their kinetics, biochemical signaling processes and energy metabolism. Other topics may be explored such as photosynthesis, the physiology of fuel metabolism and others. PREREQUISITE: CHE4200

PREREQUISITES: CHE4200

This course presents the principles of statistics as applied to the analysis of biological and health data. Topics include descriptive statistics, probability distributions, hypothesis testing, analysis of variance, non-parametric statistics, and regression analysis. The course will make active use of technology by requiring the use of computer software.

This course presents fundamental principles of chemistry, including a study of atomic and molecular structure, stoichiometry, and the states of matter. It is an introductory course for science majors, and is the course required for admission to medical school. It may also be used to satisfy the college’s general requirement in science. Co-enrollment in CHE211R (review) is required.

A continuation of CHE1600, this course includes a study of chemical kinetics, acids and bases, equilibrium, thermodynamics, electrochemistry, and the chemistry of aqueous solutions. Co-enrollment in CHE212R (review) is required

This course is an integrated study of the bonding and structure of organic compounds, with emphasis on reactions, reaction mechanisms, and synthesis, with an introduction to organic spectroscopy.

This course is a continuation of CHE2400.

This is a basic course that covers the fundamental principles of mechanics, vibration, and thermodynamics. Newton’s laws of motion will be applied to a broad range of practical problems involving real phenomena. The laws of thermodynamics will be utilized to study thermal processes and properties. Students will learn to develop working equations from basic concepts in order to solve problems. The course is taught without calculus.

This is a continuation of PHY1600 covering the fundamental principles of electricity, magnetism, light, and modern physics. The course is taught without calculus.

This course is an in-depth survey of algebraic and geometric problem solving techniques, including solutions of polynomial equations and inequalities, curve sketching techniques, and trigonometry from the triangular and functional standpoint. The course will make active use of technology by requiring the use of both a graphing calculator and computer software.

This course discusses limits, continuity, derivatives, maximum and minimum problems, related rates, and Mean Value Theorem. The course will make active use of technology by requiring the use of a graphing calculator and computer software.

This course includes the study of integration, applications of the definite integral, transcendental functions, and methods of integration. The course will make active use of technology by requiring the use of a graphing calculator.

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