BS in Human Biology
Career Options
Graduates of this program are well qualified to apply to professional programs in medicine, optometry, and dentistry, as well as to pursue careers in the allied health professions.
The human biology track emphasizes biology related to human health and disease, including anatomy & physiology, pathophysiology, and general physiology, and provides a robust foundation for careers in health-related sciences, both human and veterinary. Many of these graduates enter medical schools in Maine and New England.
The minimum number of credits (exclusive of the University's Core curriculum) required for the emphasis in human biology: 82. A grade of C- or higher is required for all courses listed below.
All of the following are required:
BIO 105, 106 Biological Principles I: Cellular Biology and Laboratory
BIO 107 Biological Principles II: Evolution, Biodiversity, and Ecology
BIO 111, 112 Human Anatomy and Physiology I and Laboratory
BIO 211, 212 Human Anatomy and Physiology II and Laboratory
BIO 345 Pathophysiology
BIO 401, 402 Animal Physiology and Laboratory
Choose 15 credits from the following:
BIO 201 Genetics
BIO 205 Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy
BIO 305, 306 Developmental Biology and Laboratory
BIO 311, 312 Microbiology and Laboratory
BIO 321, 322 Neurobiology and Laboratory
BIO 361, 362 Parasitology and Laboratory
BIO 407 Environmental Modulation of Developmental Mechanisms
BIO 409, 410 Cell and Molecular Biology and Laboratory
BIO 431 Principles of Immunology
The following courses are also required:
Chemistry (23-24 credit hours)
CHY 113, 114, 115, 116 Principles of Chemistry I and II and Laboratory
CHY 251, 252, 253, 254 Organic Chemistry I and II and Laboratory
CHY 461, 462 Biochemistry I and Laboratory
or CHY 461, 463 Biochemistry I and II
Physics (10 credit hours)
PHY 111, 114, 112, 116 Elements of Physics I and II and Laboratory
or PHY 121, 114, 123, 116 General Physics I and II and Laboratory
Mathematics (8 credit hours)
MAT 152 Calculus A
MAT 220 Statistics for the Biological Sciences
Recommended Course Sequence
Because the biology curriculum includes many support courses (chemistry, physics, math) that need to be taken in addition to biology courses, the Department offers a suggested plan of study, shown below. There is no guarantee that every course listed will be offered when the student wants the course. Students should consult their academic advisors regularly as well as the two-year schedule of Biology courses listed on the Department of Biological Sciences website.
| Year 1 | Credits |
| Fall semester | |
| BIO 105 Biological Principles I: Cellular Biology | 3 |
| BIO 106 Laboratory Biology | 1.5 |
| CHY 113 Principles of Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHY 114 Laboratory Techniques I | 1 |
| ENG 100 College Writing | 3 |
| EYE Entry Year Experience | 3 |
| Spring semester | |
| BIO 107 Biological Principles II: Evolution, Biodiversity and Evolution (Science Exploration) | 4.5 |
| CHY 115 Principles of Chemistry II | 3 |
| CHY 116 Laboratory Techniques II | 1 |
| MAT 152 Calculus A | 4 |
| Core curriculum course Creative Expression, Socio-cultural Analysis or Cultural Interpretation | 3 |
Year 2 |
|
| Fall semester | |
| BIO 111 Human Anatomy and Physiology I | 3 |
| BIO 112 Practical Human Anatomy and Physiology I | 1.5 |
| CHY 251 Organic Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHY 252 Organic Chemistry Laboratory I | 2 |
| MAT 220 Statistics for the Biological Sciences | 4 |
| Core curriculum course Creative Expression, Socio-cultural Analysis or Cultural Interpretation | 3 |
| Spring semester | |
| BIO 211 Human Anatomy and Physiology II | 3 |
| BIO 212 Practical Human Anatomy and Physiology II | 1.5 |
| CHY 253 Organic Chemistry II | 3 |
| CHY 254 Organic Chemistry Laboratory II | 2 |
| Core curriculum course Creative Expression, Socio-cultural Analysis or Cultural Interpretation | 3 |
| Year 3 | |
| Fall semester | |
| BIO 345 Pathophysiology | 3 |
| CHY 461 Biochemistry I | 3 |
| CHY 462 Biochemistry Laboratory | 2 |
| Physics Elements of Physics I or General Physics I | 4 |
| PHY 114 Introductory Physics Laboratory I | 1 |
| Ethical Inquiry, Social Responsibility and Citizenship | 3 |
| Spring semester | |
| CHY 463 Biochemistry II (if CHY 462 not taken in Fall) | 3 |
| Physics Elements of Physics II or General Physics II | 4 |
| PHY 116 Introductory Physics Laboratory II | 1 |
| Thematic cluster course | 3 |
| Thematic cluster course | 3 |
| Year 4 | |
| Fall semester | |
| BIO elective(s) | 3 – 6 |
| Thematic cluster course | 3 |
| Diversity course | 3 |
| International course | 3 |
| Spring semester | |
| BIO 401, 402 General Physiology and Laboratory | 5 |
| BIO elective | 3 – 5 |
| Capstone course | 3 |
| General elective(s) | variable |
Note: Total credits must add up to 120, with a minimum of 82 credits required for the biotechnology specialization. Suggested schedule is based on 8 semesters with approximately 15 credits per semester. Summer courses can reduce course load during the year.
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