2025-26 Edition

Human Biology, B.S.

Understanding normal and disordered human function both require a broad integration of human physiology, behavior, and culture that is provided in this major. Students in this major will receive a unified, in-depth study of modern biology that includes ecology, evolutionary biology, genetics, biochemistry, molecular biology, cell biology, human physiology, neurobiology, and behavior. In addition, the skills and concepts needed to pursue this field are presented in upper-division laboratories. Advanced elective courses provide an opportunity to diversify exposure to the biological sciences. Additional courses in the humanities and social sciences focus on the relevance of these areas to the human condition. Given the focus on human biology, this major will serve as an ideal preparation for the health science professions.

The major in Human Biology is open to junior- and senior-level students only. Applications to declare the major can be submitted after the spring of the sophomore or junior year, if all change of major requirements are satisfied. Review of applications submitted at that time and selection to the major by the Human Biology Faculty Board is completed during the summer. Information can also be found at the UCI Change of Major Criteria website. Double majors within the School of Biological Sciences or with Public Health Sciences, Biomedical Engineering: Premedical, Nursing Science, or Pharmaceutical Sciences are not permitted.

All students must meet the University Requirements.
All students must meet the School Requirements.
Major Requirements for the B.S. in Human Biology
A. Required Major Courses:
BIO SCI D103 Cell Biology
BIO SCI E109 Human Physiology
BIO SCI N110 Neurobiology and Behavior
BIO SCI N120A- N120B- N120C Human Biology I
and Human Biology II
and Human Biology III
B. Upper-Division Laboratories:
Select three of the following:
Developmental and Cell Biology Laboratory
Habitats and Organisms
Physiology Laboratory
Evolution Laboratory
Image Analysis in Biological Research
Evolution and the Environment Laboratory
Field Biology
Field Freshwater Ecology
Population and Community Ecology Lab
Biochemistry Laboratory
Molecular Biology Laboratory
Experimental Microbiology Laboratory
Advanced Immunology Laboratory
Introductory Bioinformatics Lab
Neurobiology Laboratory
Human Neuroimaging Lab
One laboratory can be satisfied with completion of Excellence in Research in the Biological Sciences.
C. Upper-Division Biology Electives:
Select two upper-division, four-unit courses from the following:
BIO SCI D103-D190, E106-E190, M114-M190, N110-N190 2
Molecular Pharmacology I
Molecular Pharmacology II
Physical Biochemistry
Pharmacotherapy
Biopharmaceutics and Nanomedicine
Medicinal Chemistry
Additionally, Psychology/Biological Sciences double majors may also use PSYCH 112A-PSYCH 112C to partially satisfy the Upper-Division Biology Elective Requirement.
D. HUMAN 1A-HUMAN 1AS-HUMAN 1B-HUMAN 1BS-HUMAN 1C-HUMAN 1CS
or Humanities Core Alternative (including MED HUM 1 and MED HUM 3)
1

 One laboratory can be satisfied with completion of Excellence in Research in the Biological Sciences.

2

 BIO SCI D103, BIO SCI D104, BIO SCI E106, BIO SCI E109, BIO SCI N110 may not be used to satisfy more than one requirement.

Freshman
Fall Winter Spring
BIO SCI 2ABIO SCI 94CHEM 1C
CHEM 1LC
BIO SCI 90LCHEM 1BSTATS 7 or 8 (Math 5B or General Education)
BIO SCI 93HUMAN 1B (or Humanities Core Alternative)HUMAN 1C (or Humanities Core Alternative)
CHEM 1AHUMAN 1BSHUMAN 1CS
HUMAN 1A (or Humanities Core Alternative)  
HUMAN 1AS  
Sophomore
Fall Winter Spring
BIO SCI 97BIO SCI 98BIO SCI 99
CHEM 51ACHEM 51B
CHEM 51LB
CHEM 51C
CHEM 51LC
CHEM 1LDMATH 5B (or General Education) 
MATH 5A (or Math 5B or General Education)  
Junior
Fall Winter Spring
BIO SCI N120ABIO SCI N120BBIO SCI N120C
PHYSICS 3ABIO SCI E109BIO SCI N110
BIO SCI 100PHYSICS 3BPHYSICS 3C
PHYSICS 3LC
 PHYSICS 3LBPHYSICS 3LC
 ResearchBIO SCI 199
Senior
Fall Winter Spring
BIO SCI D103UD Bio Sci ElectiveUD Bio Sci Elective
UD Bio Sci LabUD Bio Sci LabUD Bio Sci Lab
BIO SCI 199BIO SCI 199BIO SCI 199