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
To complete this major students must also complete the following course:
Students intending to take the Biochemistry Specialisation or the Neuroscience and Physiology Specialisation will also need to complete:
These courses can form part of a Foundational Science minor, another science minor/major or sequence of science electives. If a student is in a Flexible Double Degree, the courses can only contribute towards one degree.
Advice for first year students: You should enrol in CHEM1101, BIOL1003 and BIOL1004. CHEM1201 is recommended. BIOL1008 is also recommended. If taken, BIOL1008 can contribute towards the Foundational Science minor.
Additional information:
- BIOL2202 is the recommended course from the Quantitative Skills list as it has been designed specifically for students to develop quantitative skills in biology. Note that some of the alternative courses listed have prerequisites, and it is your responsibility to choose courses for which you meet the requirements.
- Students should note that this major only requires 2 x 3000 level coded courses. In order to complete the overall Science degree requirements of 5 x 3000 level course from the Science course list, students will need to complete another 3 x 3000 level Science courses.
- For students taking BIOL3208 or BIOL3209 as part of this major, the research project 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.
Requirements
This major requires the completion of 48 units, which must include:
24 units from the completion of the following courses:
BIOL1003 Biology 1: Evolution, Ecology and Genetics (6 units)
BIOL1004 Biology 2: Molecular and Cell Biology (6 units)
BIOL2161 Genes: Replication and Expression (6 units)
MEDN2001 Medical Physiology and Pharmacology (6 units)
6 units from the completion of a Quantitative Skills course from the following list:
BIAN3014 Research Design and Analysis in Biological Anthropology (6 units)
BIOL2001 Introduction to Quantitative Biology (6 units)
BIOL2202 Experimental Design and Analysis in Biology (6 units)
ENVS1003 Introduction to Environmental and Social Research (6 units)
PSYC2009 Quantitative Methods in Psychology (6 units)
6 units from the completion of a course from the following list:
BIOL2117 Cell Biology (6 units)
BIOL2142 General Microbiology (6 units)
BIOL2151 Genetics (6 units)
BIOL2171 Biochemistry and Nutrition (6 units)
BIOL2174 Cell Physiology in Health and Disease (6 units)
MEDN2222 Exquisite Corpse - Insight Into The Human Body (6 units)
6 units from the completion of a course from the following list:
BIAN3113 Human Evolution (6 units)
BIAN3124 Evolution and Human Behaviour (6 units)
BIAN3125 Ancient Health & Disease (6 units)
BIOL3108 Hallmarks of Cancer (6 units)
BIOL3141 Infection and Immunity (6 units)
BIOL3142 Biomedical Parasitology (6 units)
BIOL3144 Advanced and Applied Immunology (6 units)
MEDN3186 Human Anatomy (6 units)
BIOL3204 Genetics of Human Disease 1 (6 units)
BIOL3205 Genetics of Human Disease 2 (6 units)
BIOL3208 Biology Research Project (6 units)
BIOL3209 Biology Research Project (12 units)
NEUR3101 Cellular Neuroscience (6 units)
NEUR3112 Systems Neuroscience (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)
BIOL3201 Big Questions in Biology (6 units)
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