Human Biology, Bachelor of Science College of Biological Sciences
Frédéric Chédin, Ph.D., Professor, Chairperson of the Department of Molecular & Cellular Biology; term ends June 30, 2026
W. Martin Usrey, Ph.D., Chairperson of the Department Neurobiology, Physiology, & Behavior
149 Briggs Hall; 530-752-3611; Molecular & Cellular Biology
196 Briggs Hall; 530-752-0203; Neurobiology, Physiology & Behavior
The Human Biology major provides students with a broad biological understanding of our species, from molecules, genes, and cells to tissues, organ systems and organism/environment interactions. The curriculum includes classes on the basic principles that help us understand normal human physiology, human health, and the molecular basis of disease.
The Program
In the freshman and sophomore years, students majoring in Human Biology build a broad scientific background, taking courses in chemistry, biology, physics, and mathematics. As juniors or seniors, students can enroll in a variety of courses focused on biological processes and diseases that affect humans.
Career Alternatives
The Human Biology major provides fundamental knowledge needed for a broad range of careers, including those in the areas of healthcare, biotechnology, public health, public policy, and education, and for advanced study in health-related disciplines, including medicine, dentistry, nursing, physical therapy, and pharmacy.
Faculty
Faculty includes all members of the Departments of Neurobiology, Physiology, & Behavior, Molecular & Cellular Biology, Evolution & Ecology, Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, and Plant Biology in the College of Biological Sciences.
Faculty Advisors
Mona Monfared, Ph.D; Alex Nord, Ph.D.
Advising
Biology Academic Success Center (BASC) in 1023 Katherine Esau Science Hall (formerly Sciences Laboratory Building); 530-752-0410.
The major requirements below are in addition to meeting University Degree Requirements & College Degree Requirements; unless otherwise noted. The minimum number of units required for the Human Biology Bachelor of Science is 96.
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Preparatory Subject Matter | ||
| Biological Science | 15 | |
| Introduction to Biology: Essentials of Life on Earth and Introduction to Biology: Principles of Ecology & Evolution and Introduction to Biology: Biodiversity & the Tree of Life | ||
| Chemistry | ||
| Choose CHE 002 or CHE 004 series: 1 | 15 | |
| General Chemistry and General Chemistry and General Chemistry | ||
OR | ||
| General Chemistry for the Physical Sciences & Engineering and General Chemistry for the Physical Sciences & Engineering and General Chemistry for the Physical Sciences & Engineering | ||
| Choose CHE 008 or CHE 118 series: 2 | 6-12 | |
| Organic Chemistry: Brief Course and Organic Chemistry: Brief Course | ||
OR | ||
| Organic Chemistry for Health & Life Sciences and Organic Chemistry for Health & Life Sciences and Organic Chemistry for Health & Life Sciences | ||
| Mathematics | ||
| Choose MAT 017 or MAT 021 series: 3 | 8-12 | |
| Calculus for Biology & Medicine and Calculus for Biology & Medicine and Calculus for Biology & Medicine | ||
OR | ||
| Calculus and Calculus and Calculus (Recommended) | ||
| Physics | ||
| PHY 007A | General Physics | 4 |
| PHY 007B | General Physics | 4 |
| PHY 007C | General Physics | 4 |
| Preparatory Subject Matter Subtotal | 56-66 | |
| Depth Subject Matter | ||
| Biological Science | ||
| BIS 101 | Genes & Gene Expression | 4 |
| BIS 104 | Cell Biology | 3 |
| BIS 105 | Biomolecules & Metabolism | 3-6 |
| or BIS 102 & BIS 103 | Structure & Function of Biomolecules and Bioenergetics & Metabolism | |
| Statistics | ||
| STA 100 | Applied Statistics for Biological Sciences | 4 |
| Choose one: | 3-4 | |
| Introduction to Evolution | ||
| Human Genetic Variation & Evolution | ||
| Human Genetics & Genomics | ||
| Microbiology | ||
| MIC 102 | Introductory Microbiology | 3 |
| Neurobiology, Physiology, & Behavior | ||
| NPB 101 | Systemic Physiology | 5 |
| Depth Subject Matter Subtotal | 25-29 | |
| Restricted Electives | ||
| Courses meeting this requirement must come from at least two of the following categories; any cross-listed courses taken will count for only one category; must include at least one approved lab course. | 15-19 | |
| Restricted Electives Subtotal | 15-19 | |
| Total Units | 96-114 | |
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With BASC advisor approval, these combinations also satisfy the Chemistry requirement:CHE 004A-CHE 002A (3 units w/no lab)- CHE 002B- CHE 002C; CHE 004A, CHE 004B-CHE 002C
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With BASC advisor approval, this combination also satisfies the Mathematics requirement: MAT 021A-MAT 017B-MAT 017C; MAT 017A-MAT 021B.
Genetics, Genomics, & Development
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| ANT 153 | Human Genetics: Mutation & Migration | 5 |
| BIS 181 | Comparative Genomics | 3 |
| BIS 183 | Functional Genomics | 3 |
| EVE 102 | Population & Quantitative Genetics | 4 |
| EVE 131 | Human Genetic Variation & Evolution | 3 |
| MCB 121 | Advanced Molecular Biology | 3 |
| MCB 144 | Mechanisms of Cell Division | 3 |
| MCB 150 | Developmental Biology | 4 |
| MCB 162 | Human Genetics & Genomics | 3 |
| MCB 163 | Developmental Genetics | 3 |
| MCB 164 | Advanced Eukaryotic Genetics | 3 |
| MCB 182 | Principles of Genomics | 3 |
| MIC 150 | Genomes of Pathogenic Bacteria (Discontinued) | 3 |
| NPB 122 | Developmental Endocrinology | 3 |
| NPB 132 | Nature vs. Nurture: Physiological Interactions Among Genes, Nutrients & Health | 3 |
| NPB 133 | Genes & the Brain | 4 |
| NPB 161 | Developmental Neurobiology | 3 |
| Approved Laboratory Courses: | ||
| Introductory Microbiology Laboratory 1 | ||
| Principles of Genetics Laboratory | ||
| Phylogenetic Analysis of Vertebrate Structure | ||
Physiology & Neurobiology
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| EXB 101 | Exercise Physiology | 4 |
| EXB 106/CHA 101 | Human Gross Anatomy | 4 |
| EXB 106L/CHA 101L | Human Gross Anatomy Laboratory | 3 |
| EXB 110 | Exercise Metabolism | 3 |
| EXB 124 | Physiology of Maximal Human Performance | 4 |
| NPB 100 | Neurobiology | 4 |
| NPB 107 | Cell Signaling in Health & Disease | 3 |
| NPB 109 | Kinesiology: Analysis & Control of Human Movement | 4 |
| NPB 113 | Cardiovascular, Respiratory, & Renal Physiology | 4 |
| NPB 114 | Gastrointestinal Physiology | 3 |
| NPB 122 | Developmental Endocrinology | 3 |
| NPB 130 | Physiology of the Endocrine Glands | 4 |
| NPB 132 | Nature vs. Nurture: Physiological Interactions Among Genes, Nutrients & Health | 3 |
| NPB 133 | Genes & the Brain | 4 |
| NPB 134 | General Immunology for Physiologists | 3 |
| NPB 140 | Principles of Environmental Physiology | 3 |
| NPB 152/PSC 123 | Hormones & Behavior | 3 |
| NPB/HPH 157 | Advanced Physiology of Animal/Human Disease | 3 |
| NPB 161 | Developmental Neurobiology | 3 |
| NPB 163 | Systems Neuroscience | 4 |
| NPB 164 | Mammalian Vision | 4 |
| NPB 165 | Neurobiology of Speech Perception | 3 |
| NPB 167 | Computational Neuroscience | 5 |
| NPB 168 | Neurobiology of Addictive Drugs | 4 |
| NPB 171 | Physiology of Neuroimmune Interactions | 4 |
| NPB 172 | Map Formation in the Brain | 3 |
| NPB 173 | Neurobiology of Brain Disorders | 3 |
| Approved Laboratory Courses: | ||
| Phylogenetic Analysis of Vertebrate Structure | ||
| Neurobiology Laboratory | ||
| Systemic Physiology Laboratory | ||
Origins of Disease & Human Health
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| EVE 161 | Microbial Phylogenomics; Genomic Perspectives on the Diversity & Diversification of Microbes | 3 |
| EXB 101 | Exercise Physiology | 4 |
| EXB 106 | Human Gross Anatomy | 4 |
| EXB 106L | Human Gross Anatomy Laboratory | 3 |
| EXB 110 | Exercise Metabolism | 3 |
| EXB 124 | Physiology of Maximal Human Performance | 4 |
| MIC 150 | Genomes of Pathogenic Bacteria (Discontinued) | 3 |
| MMG 111 | Human Microbiology | 3 |
| or MIC 111 DISCONTINUED | ||
| MMG 162 | General Virology | 3 |
| or MIC 162 DISCONTINUED | ||
| MMG 172 | 3 | |
| or MIC 172 DISCONTINUED | ||
| MMG 175 | 3 | |
| or MIC 175 DISCONTINUED | ||
| NPB 107 | Cell Signaling in Health & Disease | 3 |
| NPB 109 | Kinesiology: Analysis & Control of Human Movement | 4 |
| NPB 132 | Nature vs. Nurture: Physiological Interactions Among Genes, Nutrients & Health | 3 |
| NPB 134 | General Immunology for Physiologists | 3 |
| NPB/HPH 157 | Advanced Physiology of Animal/Human Disease | 3 |
| NPB 168 | Neurobiology of Addictive Drugs | 4 |
| NPB 171 | Physiology of Neuroimmune Interactions | 4 |
| NPB 173 | Neurobiology of Brain Disorders | 3 |
| Approved Laboratory Courses: | ||
| Molecular Biology & Biochemistry Laboratory | ||
MMG 103L | (Pending Approval) 1 | |
or MIC 103L | Introductory Microbiology Laboratory | |