Human biology is the interdisciplinary study of our species, ranging from molecules and cells, through tissues and systems to the interactions of humans with their environment. This major has a focus on the basic principles that underlie normal human physiology and the molecular basis of disease. These studies will be situated within the larger context of biological and biochemical mechanisms common to all life forms. This major provides a solid grounding for further study in biological and biomedical science, including medicine and allied health areas. It is also of value to a range of careers including global health and disease, laboratory research and support, pharmaceutical industry and sales, and biotechnology.
Learning Outcomes
- Apply their conceptual knowledge of biological principles and processes to the study of human health and disease.
- Solve problems and critically analyse issues using interdisciplinary approaches to the study of human structure and function at molecular, cellular, and systems levels.
- Explain how biology is an evidence-based discipline involving observation, experimentation and hypothesis testing and how it relates to other scientific disciplines.
- Develop and implement experimental strategies to investigate different biological and experimental systems and analyse and present results of these investigations.
- Critically assess biological information and apply it to theoretical, experimental and professional contexts.
- Employ their collaborative and independent educational experiences of laboratory, project and course work in other contexts.
- Clearly communicate biological processes and principles to both science literate and non-science literate audiences.
- Recognise how biology contributes to resolving ethical, social, medical and environmental issues and the expectations this places on their professional practice.
Other Information
Which courses should you take in first year?
This major will require you to complete the following 1000-level courses:
- BIOL1003 Biology 1: Evolution, Ecology and Genetics (pre-requisite for most 2000 and 3000 level BIOL courses)
- BIOL1004 Biology 2: Molecular and Cell Biology (pre-requisite for most 2000 and 3000 level BIOL courses)
- CHEM1101 Chemistry 1 (pre-requisite for most 2000 and 3000 level BIOL courses)
Optional 1000-level courses:
- There is an enrolment pathway through the major that does not require CHEM1201 but this will vary from course to course. Please check individual course prerequisites carefully as CHEM1201 Chemistry 2 is pre-requisite for many 2000 and 3000 level BIOL courses. Students intending to take the Biochemistry Specialisation or the Neuroscience and Physiology Specialisation will need to complete this course.
- BIOL1008 is also recommended but not essential.
Additional information:
- For students taking BIOL3023, BIOL3208 or BIOL3209 as part of this major, the research project/topic must be in the field of human biology.
- Students seeking to take BIOL3194 should note this course has an enrolment limit. Please refer to the "Other Information" in the course entry in P&C.
Academic or enrolment advice:
Students can seek further advice from the academic contact for this major (details above), or the College of Science Student Services Team (students.cos@anu.edu.au)
Back to the topRequirements
Courses marked with an asterisk (*) have 1000-level prerequisites which must be selected in the first year of study and will contribute towards satisfying the 1000-level course requirements of the Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Science (Advanced) (Honours).
Please check individual courses for details however the courses listed below will cover most 1000-level requirements for 2000-3000- level courses listed in this major.
- BIOL1003 (prerequisite for BIOL2161 and most 2000 and 3000 level BIOL courses)
- BIOL1004 (prerequisite for BIOL2161 and most 2000 and 3000 level BIOL courses)
- CHEM1101 (prerequisite for BIOL2161 and most 2000 and 3000 level BIOL courses)
This major requires the completion of 48 units, which must include:
12 units from the completion of the following courses:
*BIOL2161 Genes: Replication and Expression (6 units)
*MEDN2001 Health and Medical Physiology (6 units)
6 units from the completion of a course from the following list:
*BIOL2142 General Microbiology (6 units)
*BIOL2151 Genetics (6 units)
*BIOL2171 Biochemistry and Nutrition (6 units)
*BIOL2174 Cell Physiology in Health and Disease (6 units)
*MEDN2002 Pathogenesis of Human Disease (6 units)
*MEDN2222 Exquisite Corpse - Insight Into The Human Body (6 units)
6 units from the completion of a Quantitative Skills course from the following list:
*BIOL2001 Introduction to Quantitative Biology (6 units)
*BIOL2202 Experimental Design and Analysis in Biology (6 units)
6 units from the completion a course from the following list:
BIOL3191 Bioethics and Society (6 units)
BIOL3194 Biological Sciences in the Workplace (6 units)
18 units from the completion of a course/s from the following list, of which a maximum of 12 units can come from special topics/research project courses (BIOL3023, BIOL3208 or BIOL3209), in which the project/topic must in the field of Human Biology:
BIAN3113 Human Evolution (6 units)
BIAN3124 Evolution and Human Behaviour (6 units)
BIAN3125 Ancient Health & Disease (6 units)
BIOL3023 Special Topics in Biology (6 units)
BIOL3108 Hallmarks of Cancer (6 units)
BIOL3142 Biomedical Parasitology (6 units)
BIOL3144 Advanced and Applied Immunology (6 units)
BIOL3204 Genetics of Human Disease (6 units)
BIOL3205 Genomic Medicine (6 units)
BIOL3208 Biology Research Project (6 units)
BIOL3209 Biology Research Project (12 units)
MEDN3186 Human Anatomy (6 units)
NEUR3101 Cellular Neuroscience (6 units)
NEUR3112 Systems Neuroscience (6 units)
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