Human Biology Program (BA)

Faculty Advisors: Liz Malinowski and Dr. Steve Myers

The Bachelor of Arts Program in Human Biology is designed to provide students with a background in human-related biology courses as the focus of a broad and liberal education and in preparation for entrance into physical therapy, physician assistant, or pathology assistant programs. Before selecting this program students are cautioned to carefully consider their educational goals and to review the requirements for their future health professional program. It is strongly advised that students considering the program in human biology seek the counsel of a faculty advisor during their first year as critical decisions concerning the election of a chemistry sequence must be made at this time. Bachelor of Science biology students are required to take the two-semester freshman chemistry sequence (CHM 260/261 and 262/263), whereas Human Biology Program students may alternatively choose a one-semester survey of Chemistry (CHM 150/151). Students who choose CHM 150/151 and later decide to switch to a Bachelor of Science program may not be able to complete their degree within four years. Also, in the past years some physical therapy graduates have gone on to become orthopedic surgeons, which was made possible because as undergraduate students they took the premed chemistry courses. The best undergraduate academic advice is “take care before you burn bridges” to alternative career paths.

The Program in Human Biology is not designed for students planning professional or graduate studies in the medical or biological sciences. Such students should complete one of the Bachelor of Science degree programs or complete higher-level chemistry and mathematics courses with the Human Biology Program. The principle differences between the Human Biology Program and the Bachelor of Science programs are that the Bachelor of Science programs require more mathematics and chemistry courses, while the Human Biology Program requires a course in public speaking, a foreign language requirement, and a different set of core-biology courses.

Requirements.

1. All requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences Bachelor of Arts  degree, including distribution requirements in addition to general education requirements .
2. Thirty-two (minimum) to forty (maximum) credits in biology (no more than 16 numbered below 300), including a core sequence of  BIO 111 , BIO 113 , BIO 167 , BIO 168 , BIO 326  and BIO 432  . (BIO 407  or BIO 434  may be substituted for BIO 167  and BIO 168 .) Any 300- or 400-level biology elective course may be applied to this program; however, students are encouraged to choose upper-level elective courses that will enhance their specific career goals.
3. Communication/writing courses to include COM 210  and two biology writing courses with grades of C or better. COM 225  or COM 338  / ENG 338  (recommended) with a grade of C or better may be substituted for one biology writing course.
4. Non-biological natural sciences and mathematics to include the following (or higher-level courses): CHM 150 , CHM 151 ; and at least four additional credits in biochemistry or organic and biochemistry (pre-physical therapy minimum:  CHM 252 , CHM 253 ; pre-physician and Pre-pathology assistant minimum: CHM 220 , CHM 350 ); MTH 111  (MTH 120  recommended); PHY 143 , PHY 145 .
5. Electives to complete a minimum total of 120 credits.
6. At least 33 credits taken in upper division courses (courses numbered 300 or higher).
7. A cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or better in biology and in the total work at the University of Michigan-Flint.
8. Grades of C- or better in all 100- and 300-level core BIO courses.