Bachelor of Arts in Human Biology
Human Biology
This interdisciplinary major gives students the option to understand humans from a variety of viewpoints, with coursework offered in biology, anthropology, applied behavioral science, and psychology. The broad nature of this degree prepares students for a variety of post-graduate opportunities and includes anatomy, physiology, microbiology, and evolutionary biology coursework.
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 the University Registrar 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. Required courses 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.
| 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. | ||
| BIOL 105 | Biology Orientation Seminar | 1 |
| BIOL 150 | Principles of Molecular and Cellular Biology | 3 |
| or BIOL 151 | Principles of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Honors | |
| BIOL 152 | Principles of Organismal Biology | 3 |
| or BIOL 153 | Principles of Organismal Biology, Honors | |
| BIOL 154 | Introductory Biology Lab for STEM Majors | 2 |
| BIOL 370 | Introduction to Biostatistics | 4 |
| Calculus I. Satisfied by one of the following: | 3-4 | |
| Calculus I | ||
| Calculus I | ||
| Calculus I, Honors | ||
| CHEM 130 | General Chemistry I | 5 |
| or CHEM 190 & CHEM 191 | Foundations of Chemistry I, Honors and Foundations of Chemistry I Laboratory, Honors | |
| CHEM 135 | General Chemistry II | 5 |
| or CHEM 195 & CHEM 196 | Foundations of Chemistry II, Honors and Foundations of Chemistry II Laboratory, Honors | |
| CHEM 330 | Organic Chemistry I | 3 |
| or CHEM 380 | Organic Chemistry I, Honors | |
| Physics I. Satisfied by one of the following: | 4-5 | |
| College Physics I | ||
| General Physics I and General Physics I Laboratory | ||
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Human Biology Requirements | ||
| BIOL 240 | Fundamentals of Human Anatomy | 3 |
| BIOL 350 | Principles of Genetics | 4 |
| or BIOL 360 | Principles of Genetics, Honors | |
| BIOL 400 | Fundamentals of Microbiology | 3-4 |
| or BIOL 401 | Fundamentals of Microbiology, Honors | |
| BIOL 412 | Evolutionary Biology | 4 |
| BIOL 503 | Immunology | 3 |
| BIOL 546 | Mammalian Physiology | 3 |
| BIOL 600 | Introductory Biochemistry, Lectures | 3-8 |
| or BIOL 636 & BIOL 638 | Biochemistry I and Biochemistry II | |
| Development and Disease | ||
| Satisfied by completing one of the courses below: | 3 | |
| Cell Structure and Function | ||
| Biology of Development | ||
or BIOL 447 | Biology of Development, Honors | |
| Introduction to Neurobiology | ||
| Biology of Sleep | ||
| Medical Parasitology | ||
| Bacterial Infectious Diseases | ||
| Primate Evolution and the Fossil Record | ||
| Human Biology Electives | 7 | |
| Satisfied by completing 3 hours of BIOL courses numbered 400 or higher, PHSX 115, or CHEM 335, or any course with a PSYC, ANTH, or ABSC prefix numbered 300-level or above, and 4 hours of BIOL Lab numbered 400 or higher, BIOL 241, or CHEM 331. A BIOL capstone course is required as part of the 7 hours. No more than 3 hours in BIOL 423 and/or BIOL 424 (combined) may be used to fulfill the elective requirement. | ||
| Capstone Course | ||
| Laboratory in Genetics | ||
| Non-laboratory Independent Study | ||
| Independent Study | ||
| Laboratory in Cell Biology | ||
| Biology of Sleep | ||
| Laboratory/Field Work in Human Biology | ||
| Internship and Practical Applications | ||
| Bacterial Infectious Diseases Laboratory | ||
| Biology of Fungi | ||
| Evolution of Development | ||
| Senior Seminar: _____ | ||
| Advanced Biochemistry Laboratory | ||
| Animal Behavior | ||
| Behavioral Genetics | ||
| Biology Honors Research Colloquium | ||
| Total Hours | 33-39 | |
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.
Below is a sample 4-year plan for students pursuing the BA in Human Biology. To view the list of courses approved to fulfill Core 34, please visit the KU Core 34 page.
This degree plan assumes students will have the equivalent of MATH 101 or MATH 104, or equivalent prior to the freshman year, fall semester.
| Freshman | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| BIOL 150 or 152 (Core 34: Natural and Physical Sciences (SGE), General Science Requirement)040***, 3 | 3 | BIOL 152 or 150 (General Science Requirement)3 | 3 |
| CHEM 130 (General Science Requirement)2 | 5 | BIOL 154 (Core 34: Natural and Physical Sciences (SGE), General Science Requirement)040*** | 2 |
| BIOL 105 (General Science Requirement)1 | 1 | CHEM 135 (General Science Requirement) | 5 |
| Core 34: Social and Behavioral Science (SGE)050 | 3 | Core 34: English (SGE)010 | 3 |
| Core 34: English (SGE)010 | 3 | Core 34: Arts and Humanities (SGE)060 | 3 |
| 15 | 16 | ||
| Sophomore | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| 1st Semester Language (BA Second Language) | 5 | 2nd Semester Language (BA Second Language) | 5 |
| BIOL 370 (General Science Requirement) | 4 | BIOL 350 (Major Requirement) | 4 |
| BIOL 400 (Major Requirement) | 3 | MATH 115 or 125 (Core 34: Math and Statistics (SGE))030*,2 | 3-4 |
| CHEM 330 (Major Requirement)5 | 3 | Core 34: Communications (SGE)020 | 3 |
| 15 | 15-16 | ||
| Junior | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| 3rd Semester Language (BA Second Language) | 3 | 4th Semester Language, or 1st semester of Another Language (BA Second Language) | 3 |
| BIOL 600 (Major Requirement) | 3 | BIOL 412 (Major Requirement) | 4 |
| PHSX 114 (or PHSX 211 & 216, General Science Requirement)5 | 4 | BIOL 546 (Major Requirement)4 | 3 |
| Core 34: Social and Behavioral Science (SGE)050 | 3 | BIOL Lab 400+ or BIOL 241 or CHEM 331 | 2 |
| Core 34: US Culture (SGE)070 | 3 | Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours (300+)8 | 3 |
| 16 | 15 | ||
| Senior | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| BIOL 240 (Major Requirement) | 3 | BIOL Capstone Course (Capstone)7 | 3 |
| BIOL 416, 417, 435, 446, 480, 506, or 527 (Major Requirement)6 | 3 | BIOL Lab 400+ or BIOL 241 or CHEM 331 | 2 |
| BIOL 503 (Major Requirement) | 3 | Core 34: Global Culture (SGE)070 | 3 |
| Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours (300+)8 | 3 | Core 34: Arts and Humanities (SGE)060 | 3 |
| Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours (300+)8 | 3 | Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours (300+)8 | 2 |
| 15 | 13 | ||
| Total Hours 120-121 | |||
Please note:
Students may earn degrees in more than one major within biological sciences, or in a biological science and an area outside biology by meeting the requirements of both degree programs and taking at least 15 hours of courses unique to each major.
All students in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences are required to complete 120 total hours of which 45 hours must be at the Jr/Sr (300+) level.
*Courses with a * designate courses that are degree requirements but can also be taken to fulfill the KU Core 34 requirement. If another course if used to fulfill the Core 34 requirement, the course listed is still required as a degree requirement.
- 1
BIOL 105: Biology Orientation Seminar (1 hour online course) is required for the major. It can be taken the summer prior to your freshman year.
- 2
MATH 115 and CHEM 130 require a Math ACT score of 26+, a comparable SAT or KU Math Placement Exam score, or credit for a MATH 101 or MATH 104 equivalent course. MATH 125 requires a MATH ACT score of 28+, a comparable SAT or KU Math Placement Exam score, or credit for MATH 104.
- 3
Concurrent or prior enrollment in CHEM 130 is required. BIOL 151 is the honors equivalent of BIOL 150 and offered in the fall semesters. BIOL 153 is the honors equivalent of BIOL 152 and offered in the spring semesters.
- 4
BIOL 546 is offered in the spring only.
- 5
Most medical schools require CHEM 330, CHEM 331, CHEM 335, and PHSX 114/PHSX 211 & PHSX 216 and PHSX 115/PHSX 212 & PHSX 236.
- 6
BIOL 417, BIOL 506 and BIOL 527 are offered only in spring semesters. BIOL 435, BIOL 446, and BIOL 480 are offered only in fall semesters. BIOL 416 is offered both fall and spring.
- 7
BIOL Capstone courses currently approved are BIOL 405, BIOL 423 (3 credit hours), BIOL 424 (3 credit hours), BIOL 426, BIOL 446, BIOL 490 (3 credit hours), BIOL 533, BIOL 545, BIOL 599, BIOL 652, BIOL 655, and BIOL 699.
- 8
Hour requirements (incl. 45 jr/sr hrs) are typically met through Core 34, degree, major, second area of study and/or elective hours. Students completing the BGS with a major must choose a secondary area of study. Individual degree mapping is done in partnership with your advisor.
Notes:
* - This course is a Required major course and is also part of Core 34: Systemwide General Education. If this course is not taken to fulfill the Core 34:SGE requirement, it must be taken in place of elective hours.
** - This course is a Recommended Core 34: Systemwide General Education course. This specific course is not required but is recommended by the program’s faculty.
*** - This course is a Required Core 34: Systemwide General Education course. This program is approved by the Kansas Board of Regents to require this specific Core 34:Systemwide General Education course. If a student did not take this course it must be taken in addition to other degree requirements.
At the completion of this program, students will be able to:
- Explain the sources of genetic variation within populations, how variation is maintained or lost in populations and mechanisms of evolutionary change operating in populations and how these may lead to the formation of biological species. Use the principles of evolution to explain the diversity of life on Earth; describe evidence that supports the conclusion that evolution explains the diversity of life on Earth.
- Describe how organisms inherit genetic information that influences the location, timing, and intensity of gene expression. Explain that cells/organs/organisms have multiple mechanisms to perceive and respond to changing environmental conditions.
- Describe how complex networks are formed by interactions at many biological scales (i.e., molecules, genes, cells, tissues, organs, individuals and ecosystems), and that organisms integrate internal and external information to respond to environmental changes.
- Explain that biological structures exist at all levels of organization, from molecules to ecosystems, and the physical and chemical characteristics of a structure influence its function.
- Apply the scientific method and communicate scientific arguments, ideas, and results clearly and explicitly through writing and speech. Demonstrate a knowledge of the ethical considerations related to scientific research.
- Apply quantitative reasoning, mathematical, statistical, and/or informatics tools to explain, evaluate, and effectively interpret claims, theories, and assumptions in the biological sciences.
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, or complete two credits total of BIOL 423 and/or BIOL 424 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.
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.