About Us

The Program in Human Biology is an interschool, interdepartmental, undergraduate major. The program's mission is to provide an interdisciplinary approach to understanding the human being from biological, behavioral, social, and cultural perspectives.

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Capstone

The Human Biology Capstone gives students a chance to reflect upon their undergraduate career alongside their broader interests and values.

Watch the Capstone Overview video

Science Communication

Because Human Biology is an interdisciplinary program with an emphasis on both empirical inquiry and applied knowledge, excellent communication skills are critical to majors.

Watch Dr Preston

Data Literacy

Data in the social and biological sciences are used to make observations and judgments regarding patterns of human behavior and function. These data are sometimes imperfect or incomplete, but are used nevertheless to make decisions and policies.

Watch Professor Kurina

Scientific Literacy

Human Biology students learn to critically evaluate evidence in support of claims and write for a range of audiences, from peer-reviewed research journals to more popular science journalism.

Watch Shay Brawn

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Director's Message

Dear HumBio Students, Faculty and Friends,

Welcome to Human Biology our "home" on the web. Our Program is brimming with more energy than ever. Not only do we have what we view as Stanford's best students and faculty, but we have also added several changes the past couple of years to keep our major vibrant. Examples include our B.S. option, Capstone experiences, and Alumni Career Workshops. Please stop by Building 20 on the Inner Quad any time. Our Student Advisers in the HumBio Hub (room 21A) can tell you almost anything about our major.

As for me, this is my seventh and final year directing Human Biology. I won’t be leaving HumBio—it’s in my blood. I will continue to teach winter quarter Human Biology 154C, “Cancer Epidemiology” (check that out, now in its 16th year!), and starting this spring I will team up with Professor Craig Heller in Human Biology 4A, “The Human Organism,” to co-direct that Core course and teach the neuroscience component.

You will find me all over the campus, inside and outside Building 20. I'm a HumBio product myself, class of '84, with my area of concentration (“depth” then) "Social Aspects of Child Development." I did a stint as head TA for the B-side of the Core before leaving Stanford in 1985 for UCSF, Johns Hopkins, and Penn. I've been back on the Farm since 1997, in the medical school where I practice pediatric neurology and oncology.

I look forward to meeting as many of you as possible. Please email me pfisher@stanford.edu any time you want to connect.

To great things ahead!

Paul Graham Fisher, MD
The Bing Director, Human Biology
The Dunlevie Family University Fellow in Undergraduate Education
The Beirne Family Professor of Pediatric Neuro-Oncology