Bachelor of Arts in Human Biology
Human Biology
This interdisciplinary major permits students to understand humans from a variety of academic viewpoints: anthropology, applied behavioral science, biology, psychology, and speech-language-hearing. Each human biology concentration offers major-level courses in topical categories that allow students to focus on areas that interest them most while retaining the interdisciplinary manner of the major. The broad nature of this major can prepare students for a variety of post-undergraduate opportunities.
Undergraduate Admission
Admission to KU
All students applying for admission must send high school and college transcripts to the Office of Admissions. Prospective first-year students should be aware that KU has qualified admission requirements that all new first-year students must meet to be admitted. Consult the Office of Admissions for application deadlines and specific admission requirements.
Visit the International Support Services for information about international admissions.
Students considering transferring to KU may see how their college-level course work will transfer on the Office of Admissions website.
First- and Second-Year Preparation
Because biology study requires preparation in other sciences, students should begin meeting major requirements in the first year. It is particularly important to take CHEM 130 and CHEM 135 in the first year and, for several majors, to take CHEM 330, CHEM 331, CHEM 335, and CHEM 336 in the second year. Ideally, most majors should also take BIOL 150 and BIOL 152 during the first year, as well as BIOL 105.
Requirements for the B.A. Major in Human Biology
The curriculum builds from a broad background of general science courses and adds depth in a set of 5 specialized disciplines. Courses in the disciplines emphasize topics related to humans and provide a solid understanding of each field of knowledge.
For general requirements for the B.A. degree, see CLAS General Education Degree Requirements on the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Degree Requirements page.
Students must choose 1 concentration from the 5 areas:
- Anthropology
- Applied behavioral science
- Biology
- Psychology
- Speech-language-hearing
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| General Science Requirements | ||
| Majors must complete the following 33-hour minimum of general science requirements that serve as foundational courses for this major. | 33 | |
| Introduction to Human Evolutionary Biology. Satisfied by one of the following: | 3-4 | |
| Fundamentals of Biological Anthropology | ||
| Becoming Human | ||
| Human Variation and Evolution | ||
| Evolutionary Biology | ||
| Biology Orientation Seminar. Satisfied by: | ||
| BIOL 105 | Biology Orientation Seminar | 1 |
| Principles of Molecular & Cellular Biology. Satisfied by one of the following: | 3 | |
| Principles of Molecular and Cellular Biology | ||
| Principles of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Honors | ||
| Principles of Organismal Biology. Satisfied by one of the following: | 3 | |
| Principles of Organismal Biology | ||
| Principles of Organismal Biology, Honors | ||
| Introductory Biology Lab for STEM Majors. Satisfied by: | 2 | |
| Introductory Biology Lab for STEM Majors | ||
| Calculus. Satisfied by one of the following: | 3-4 | |
| Calculus I | ||
| Calculus I | ||
| Calculus I, Honors | ||
| Chemistry I. Satisfied by one of the following: | 5 | |
| General Chemistry I | ||
| Foundations of Chemistry I, Honors and Foundations of Chemistry I Laboratory, Honors | ||
| Chemistry II. Satisfied by one of the following: | 5 | |
| General Chemistry II | ||
| Foundations of Chemistry II, Honors and Foundations of Chemistry II Laboratory, Honors | ||
| Physics I. Satisfied by one of the following: | 4-5 | |
| College Physics I | ||
| General Physics I and General Physics I Laboratory | ||
| Statistics. Satisfied by: | 4 | |
| Introduction to Biostatistics | ||
Anthropology
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Anthropology Concentration | ||
| Majors must complete the following 31 hours. These additional science courses are included in the Human Biology-Anthropology major hours and GPA calculations. | ||
| Organic Chemistry I. Satisfied by the following: | 3 | |
| Organic Chemistry I | ||
| Organic Chemistry I, Honors | ||
| Organic Chemistry I Laboratory. Satisfied by: | ||
| CHEM 331 | Organic Chemistry I Laboratory | 2 |
| Cell Structure & Function. Satisfied by: | 3 | |
| Cell Structure and Function | ||
| Principles of Genetics. Satisfied by one of the following: | 4 | |
| Principles of Genetics | ||
| Principles of Genetics, Honors | ||
| Capstone Course | ||
| Senior Seminar in Human Biology. Satisfied by: | ||
| BIOL 599 | Senior Seminar: _____ (Must be taken in senior year) | 1 |
| Anthropology Concentration Categories | ||
| Satisfied by completing 2 of the following 4 categories (18-21 hours required): | 18-21 | |
Category 1: Human Anatomy and Physiology | ||
Biology of Development. Satisfied by: | ||
| Biology of Development | ||
Anatomy and Physiology. Satisfied by completing 9 hours from the following: | ||
| Human Osteology | ||
| Fundamentals of Human Anatomy | ||
| Human Anatomy Observation Laboratory | ||
| Laboratory in Cell Biology | ||
| Introductory Biochemistry, Lectures | ||
| Introductory Biochemistry Laboratory | ||
| Mammalian Physiology | ||
| Mammalian Physiology Laboratory | ||
Category 2: Human Population Biology | ||
Satisfied by completing 9 hours from the following: | ||
| Human Variation and Evolution | ||
| Anthropological Genetics | ||
| Origins of Native Americans | ||
| Contemporary Health Issues in Africa | ||
Category 3: Human Adaptation and Evolution | ||
Satisfied by completing 9 hours from the following: | ||
| Controversies on the Living and the Dead | ||
| Topics in Biological Anthropology: _____ | ||
| Evolutionary Biology | ||
Category 4: Human Biology and Behavior | ||
Satisfied by completing 9 hours from the following: | ||
| Animal Behavior | ||
| Behavioral Genetics | ||
| Behavioral Neuroscience | ||
Major Hours & Major GPA
While completing all required courses, majors must also meet each of the following hour and grade-point average minimum standards:
Major Hours
Satisfied by 31 hours of major courses.
Major Hours in Residence
Satisfied by a minimum of 15 hours of KU resident credit in the major.
Major Junior/Senior Hours
Satisfied by a minimum of 12 hours from junior/senior courses (300+) in the major.
Major Junior/Senior Graduation GPA
Satisfied by a minimum of a 2.0 KU GPA in junior/senior courses (300+) in the major. GPA calculations include all junior/senior courses in the field of study including F’s and repeated courses. See the Semester/Cumulative GPA Calculator.
Applied Behavioral Science
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Applied Behavioral Science Concentration | ||
| Majors must complete the following 33 hours. These additional science courses are included in the Human Biology-Applied Behavioral Science major hours and GPA calculations. | ||
| Principles of Genetics. Satisfied by one of the following: | 4 | |
| Principles of Genetics | ||
| Principles of Genetics, Honors | ||
| Introduction to Applied Behavioral Science. Satisfied by: | ||
| ABSC 100 | Introduction to Applied Behavioral Science | 3 |
| Development. Satisfied by one of the following: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Child Behavior and Development | ||
| Child Development | ||
| Research Methods & Application. Satisfied by: | ||
| ABSC 308 | Research Methods and Application | 4 |
| Capstone Course | ||
| Senior Seminar in Human Biology. Satisfied by: | ||
| BIOL 599 | Senior Seminar: _____ (Must be taken in senior year.) | 1 |
| Applied Behavioral Science Concentration Categories | ||
| Satisfied by completing 2 of the following 4 categories (18-19 hours required): | 18-19 | |
Category 1: Applied Behavioral Science | ||
Principles and Procedures of Behavior Modification and Therapy. Satisfied by: | ||
| Principles and Procedures of Behavioral Interventions | ||
Applied Behavioral Science. Satisfied by completing 6 hours selected from the following courses: | ||
| Community Leadership | ||
| Building Healthy Communities | ||
or ABSC 311 | Building Healthy Communities, Honors | |
| Applied Behavior Analysis in Early Childhood Education & Intervention | ||
| Behavioral Approaches in Working with Adolescents | ||
Category 2: Development: Typical and Atypical | ||
Child Behavior and Development. Satisfied by: | ||
| Advanced Child Behavior and Development | ||
Development: Typical and Atypical. Satisfied by completing 6 hours selected from the following: | ||
| Developmental Psychopathology | ||
| Cell Structure and Function | ||
| Biology of Development | ||
Category 3: Biology of Behavior | ||
Satisfied by: | ||
| Comparative Animal Physiology | ||
Biology of Behavior. Satisfied by completing 6 hours selected from the following: | ||
| Cell Structure and Function | ||
| Introduction to Neurobiology | ||
| Brain Diseases and Neurological Disorders | ||
| Mammalian Physiology | ||
| Mammalian Physiology Laboratory | ||
| Behavioral Genetics | ||
| Behavioral Neuroscience | ||
| Clinical Neuroscience | ||
Category 4: Evolution, Culture, and Behavior | ||
Evolutionary Biology. Satisfied by: | ||
| Evolutionary Biology | ||
Evolution, Culture, and Behavior. Satisfied by completing 6 hours selected from the following: | ||
| Human Evolution | ||
| Introduction to Systematics | ||
| Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology | ||
| Animal Behavior | ||
Major Hours & Major GPA
While completing all required courses, majors must also meet each of the following hour and grade-point average minimum standards:
Major Hours
Satisfied by 33 hours of major courses.
Major Hours in Residence
Satisfied by a minimum of 15 hours of KU resident credit in the major.
Major Junior/Senior Hours
Satisfied by a minimum of 12 hours from junior/senior courses (300+) in the major.
Major Junior/Senior Graduation GPA
Satisfied by a minimum of a 2.0 KU GPA in junior/senior courses (300+) in the major. GPA calculations include all junior/senior courses in the field of study including F’s and repeated courses. See the Semester/Cumulative GPA Calculator.
Biology
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Biology Concentration | ||
| Majors must complete the following 32 hours. These additional science courses are included in the Human Biology-Biology major hours and GPA calculations. | ||
| Organic Chemistry I. Satisfied by the following: | 3 | |
| Organic Chemistry I | ||
| Organic Chemistry I, Honors | ||
| Organic Chemistry I Laboratory. Satisfied by: | ||
| CHEM 331 | Organic Chemistry I Laboratory | 2 |
| Physics II. Satisfied by one of the following: | 4 | |
| College Physics II | ||
| General Physics II and General Physics II Laboratory | ||
| Principles of Genetics. Satisfied by one of the following: | 4 | |
| Principles of Genetics | ||
| Principles of Genetics, Honors | ||
| Capstone Course | ||
| Senior Seminar in Human Biology. Satisfied by: | ||
| BIOL 599 | Senior Seminar: _____ (Must be taken in senior year.) | 1 |
| Biology Laboratory Electives. Course selections from the following categories must include at least 3 hours of laboratory credit, 400 level or above. | ||
| Biology Concentration Categories | ||
| Satisfied by completing 2 of the following 4 categories listed below. (18-20 hours required) (Course selections must include at least 3 hours of laboratory credit, 400 level or above.) | 18-20 | |
Category 1: Development and Genetics | ||
Biology of Development. Satisfied by: | ||
| Biology of Development | ||
Development and Genetics. Satisfied by completing 6 hours from the following: | ||
| Developmental Psychopathology | ||
| Laboratory in Genetics | ||
| Cell Structure and Function | ||
| Human Genetics | ||
| Behavioral Genetics | ||
| The Molecular Biology of Cancer | ||
| Child Development | ||
| Language Development | ||
Anatomy and Physiology | ||
Mammalian Physiology. Satisfied by: | ||
| Mammalian Physiology | ||
Anatomy & Physiology. Satisfied by completing 6 hours from the following: | ||
| Fundamentals of Human Anatomy | ||
| Human Anatomy Observation Laboratory | ||
| Cell Structure and Function | ||
| Introduction to Neurobiology | ||
| Introductory Biochemistry, Lectures | ||
| Introductory Biochemistry Laboratory | ||
| Mammalian Physiology Laboratory | ||
| Behavioral Neuroscience | ||
| Cognitive Neuroscience | ||
| Clinical Neuroscience | ||
| Category 3: Evolution, Ecology, and Adaptation | ||
Evolutionary Biology. Satisfied by: | ||
| Evolutionary Biology | ||
Evolution, Ecology, and Adaptation. Satisfied by completing 6 hours selected from the following: | ||
| Human Variation and Evolution | ||
| Principles of Ecology | ||
| Evolutionary Ecology | ||
Category 4: Human Disease | ||
Fundamentals of Microbiology. Satisfied by one of the following: | ||
| Fundamentals of Microbiology | ||
| Fundamentals of Microbiology, Honors | ||
Human Disease. Satisfied by completing 6 hours selected from the following: | ||
| Fundamentals of Microbiology Laboratory | ||
| Immunology | ||
| Immunology Laboratory | ||
| Bacterial Infectious Diseases | ||
| Bacterial Infectious Diseases Laboratory | ||
| General Virology | ||
| Virology Laboratory | ||
| Bacterial Genetics | ||
| Bacterial Genetics Laboratory | ||
| Human Genetics | ||
| The Molecular Biology of Cancer | ||
| Total Hours | 32-34 | |
Major Hours & Major GPA
While completing all required courses, majors must also meet each of the following hour and grade-point average minimum standards:
Major Hours
Satisfied by 32 hours of major courses.
Major Hours in Residence
Satisfied by a minimum of 15 hours of KU resident credit in the major.
Major Junior/Senior Hours
Satisfied by a minimum of 12 hours from junior/senior courses (300+) in the major.
Major Junior/Senior Graduation GPA
Satisfied by a minimum of a 2.0 KU GPA in junior/senior courses (300+) in the major. GPA calculations include all junior/senior courses in the field of study including F’s and repeated courses. See the Semester/Cumulative GPA Calculator.
Psychology
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Psychology Concentration | ||
| Majors must complete the following 31 hours. These additional science courses are included in the Human Biology-Psychology major hours and GPA calculations. | ||
| Organic Chemistry I. Satisfied by the following: | 3 | |
| Organic Chemistry I | ||
| Organic Chemistry I, Honors | ||
| Organic Chemistry I Laboratory. Satisfied by: | ||
| CHEM 331 | Organic Chemistry I Laboratory | 2 |
| Principles of Genetics. Satisfied by one of the following: | 4 | |
| Principles of Genetics | ||
| Principles of Genetics, Honors | ||
| Research Methods. Satisfied by: | ||
| PSYC 200 | Research Methods in Psychology | 3 |
| Capstone Course | ||
| Senior Seminar in Human Biology. Satisfied by: | ||
| BIOL 599 | Senior Seminar: _____ (Must be taken in senior year.) | 1 |
| Psychology Concentration Categories | ||
| Satisfied by completing 2 of the following 4 categories listed below. (18 hours required) | 18 | |
Category 1: Evolution, Adaptation and Health | ||
Satisfied by completing 9 hours selected from the following: | ||
| Health Psychology | ||
| Human Variation and Evolution | ||
| Human Evolution | ||
| Anthropological Genetics | ||
| Evolutionary Biology | ||
| Human Genetics | ||
Category 2: Human Development | ||
Child Development. Satisfied by: | ||
| Child Development | ||
Human Development. Satisfied by completing 6 hours selected from the following: | ||
| Cognitive Development | ||
| Advanced Child Behavior and Development | ||
| Cell Structure and Function | ||
| Biology of Development | ||
Category 3: Human Cognition and Language | ||
Cognitive Psychology. Satisfied by: | ||
| Cognitive Psychology | ||
Human Cognition & Language. Satisfied by completing 6 hours selected from the following: | ||
| Introduction to Cognitive Science | ||
| Sensation and Perception | ||
| Language Science | ||
| Language Development | ||
Category 4: Neuroscience | ||
Satisfied by completing 9 hours selected from the following: | ||
| Behavioral Neuroscience | ||
| Cognitive Neuroscience | ||
| Clinical Neuroscience | ||
| Cell Structure and Function | ||
| Introduction to Neurobiology | ||
| Brain Diseases and Neurological Disorders | ||
| Behavioral Genetics | ||
Major Hours & Major GPA
While completing all required courses, majors must also meet each of the following hour and grade-point average minimum standards:
Major Hours
Satisfied by 31 hours of major courses.
Major Hours in Residence
Satisfied by a minimum of 15 hours of KU resident credit in the major.
Major Junior/Senior Hours
Satisfied by a minimum of 12 hours from junior/senior courses (300+) in the major.
Major Junior/Senior Graduation GPA
Satisfied by a minimum of a 2.0 KU GPA in junior/senior courses (300+) in the major. GPA calculations include all junior/senior courses in the field of study including F’s and repeated courses. See the Semester/Cumulative GPA Calculator.
Speech-Language-Hearing
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Speech-Language-Hearing Concentration | ||
| Majors must complete the following 30 hours. These additional science courses are included in the Human Biology-Speech-Language-Hearing major hours and GPA calculations. | ||
| Physics. Satisfied by one of the following: | 4 | |
| The Physics of Speech | ||
| College Physics II | ||
| Research Methods. Satisfied by: | ||
| SPLH 660 | Research Methods in Speech-Language-Hearing | 3 |
| Genetics. Satisfied by one of the following: | 4 | |
| Principles of Genetics | ||
| Principles of Genetics, Honors | ||
| Capstone Course | ||
| Senior Seminar in Human Biology. Satisfied by: | ||
| BIOL 599 | Senior Seminar: _____ (Must be taken in senior year.) | 1 |
| Speech-Language-Hearing Concentration Categories | ||
| Satisfied by completing 2 of the following 4 categories (18-19 hours required). | 18-19 | |
Category 1: Development and Genetics | ||
Biology of Development. Satisfied by: | ||
| Biology of Development | ||
Development and Genetics. Satisfied by completing 6 hours selected from the following: | ||
| Laboratory in Genetics | ||
| Cell Structure and Function | ||
| Human Genetics | ||
| Behavioral Genetics | ||
| Child Development | ||
| Cognitive Development | ||
| Undergraduate Seminar in: _____ | ||
or SPLH 764 | Seminar in: _____ | |
| Language Science | ||
| Language Development | ||
Category 2: Anatomy and Physiology | ||
Mammalian Physiology. Satisfied by: | ||
| Mammalian Physiology | ||
Anatomy and Physiology. Satisfied by completing 6 hours selected from the following: | ||
| Fundamentals of Human Anatomy | ||
| Human Anatomy Observation Laboratory | ||
| Mammalian Physiology Laboratory | ||
| Principles of Speech Science | ||
| Principles of Hearing Science | ||
Category 3: Neuroscience | ||
Physiology of Organisms. Satisfied by: | ||
| Comparative Animal Physiology | ||
Neuroscience. Satisfied by completing 6 hours selected from the following: | ||
| Cell Structure and Function | ||
| Introduction to Neurobiology | ||
| Behavioral Neuroscience | ||
| Cognitive Neuroscience | ||
| Clinical Neuroscience | ||
| Undergraduate Seminar in: _____ (Neural Bases of Speech & Voice) | ||
| Undergraduate Seminar in: _____ (Speech Motor Control) | ||
Category 4: Research Practicum | ||
Satisfied by completing 9 hours selected from the following courses: | ||
| Undergraduate Seminar in: _____ (Circuit Theory & Bioinstrumentation) | ||
| Laboratory/Field Work in Human Biology (various topics) | ||
| Directed Study in Speech-Language-Hearing | ||
Major Hours & Major GPA
While completing all required courses, majors must also meet each of the following hour and grade-point average minimum standards:
Major Hours
Satisfied by 30 hours of major courses.
Major Hours in Residence
Satisfied by a minimum of 15 hours of KU resident credit in the major.
Major Junior/Senior Hours
Satisfied by a minimum of 12 hours from junior/senior courses (300+) in the major.
Major Junior/Senior Graduation GPA
Satisfied by a minimum of a 2.0 KU GPA in junior/senior courses (300+) in the major. GPA calculations include all junior/senior courses in the field of study including F’s and repeated courses. See the Semester/Cumulative GPA Calculator.
Sample 4-year plans for the BA degree in Human Biology with concentrations in the following can be found here: Anthropology, Applied Behavioral Science, Biology, Psychology, and Speech-Language-Hearing, or by using the left-side navigation.
Departmental Honors
Undergraduate majors are eligible to graduate with honors in biology if they fulfill the following requirements:
- Complete all course work required for the appropriate degree in biology.
- Achieve a minimum grade-point average of 3.5 in the major.
- Complete BIOL 499 Introduction to Honors Research with a grade of B or higher.
- Complete BIOL 699 Biology Honors Research Colloquium with a grade of B or higher.
- Complete an independent research project under the supervision of a faculty member in an area appropriate to the degree sought.
- Submit an honors thesis to the honors committee once the research is complete and present the results of the completed research at the honors research symposium.
Students majoring in Human Biology with Anthropology, Applied Behavioral Science, Psychology, or Speech-Language-Hearing concentrations will follow the honors requirements for their respective concentration department.
Specific guidelines and intent forms are available in the Undergraduate Biology Program office and online. Candidates must declare their intent to graduate with honors at least 2 semesters before graduation.
Study Abroad
Consult an advisor at least 4 months before undertaking study abroad. Consult the Office of Study Abroad, 108 Lippincott Hall, for information about study in one of the many countries (e.g., Scotland, Australia, Switzerland) with special arrangements with KU.