Major Requirements

There are two degree options for Human Biology majors -
Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science

How to choose HumBio BA or BS? 

Degree requirements can be found for each in the Bulletin

 

Bachelor of Arts in Human Biology

For the B.A. degree, coursework must be predominantly in the social sciences and humanities, with a minority in the natural sciences. Courses that are designated as Ways for aesthetic and interpretive inquiry, creative expression, exploring difference and power, ethical reasoning, and social inquiry qualify as B.A. eligible courses. Other eligible courses have been designated as B.A. by the program. More details about meeting the B.A. Degree Option requirements can be found in the Bulletin sections describing Breadth, Depth, & Upper Division degree requirements.

Bachelor of Science in Human Biology

For the B.S. degree, coursework must be predominantly in the natural sciences, mathematics, computer science and/or engineering fields, with a minority in the social sciences. Courses that are designated as Ways for applied quantitative reasoning, formal reasoning, and scientific methods and analysis courses qualify as B.S. eligible courses. Other eligible courses have been designated as B.S. by the program. More details about meeting B.S. Degree Option requirement can be found in the Bulletin sections describing Breadth, Depth, & Upper Division degree requirements.

For major requirements, students should thoroughly review the Bulletin. A broad overview of a HumBio course of study consists of the requirements listed below.

Core Sequence (HumBio 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B, 4A, 4B): The Human Biology Core delves into the natural and social sciences and, most importantly, the relationship between the two. It is a year-long sequence of six courses for a total of 30 units typically started in the Fall of Sophomore year. In general, the "A-side" focuses on the biological sciences such as Human Genetics, Evolution, Ecology, Cellular Development, and Human Physiology, and the "B-side" focuses on Human Culture, Society, Environmental & Health Policy, Behavior, and Development. The HumBio Core is designed to prepare all students to succeed. There are no prerequisites for the Human Biology Core except for Winter quarter in HumBio 3A which requires college chemistry or completion of the HumBio Core online chemistry lecture series during fall quarter.

Declaration Process: Students are encouraged to start the declaration process in SFACT after successfully completing two of the core courses. Students are eligible to officially declare after successfully completing four of the core courses. See "How to Declare" to review the step-by-step process for declaring Human Biology.


After the Human Biology Core, majors design their own individualized Course of Study with a unique Area of Concentration topic. A Course of Study is made up of the Breadth, Depth and Upper Division requirements. Breadth & Depth courses can come from any department but should be consistent with the student's Area of Concentration topic. Additional requirements include Statistics and Capstone.

  • Statistics: 3 units, must be on the list of approved Stats courses. Stats 60 is not approved. 
  • Upper Division:  any 3 HumBio courses numbered 100+, minimum 3 units each.

Area of Concentration: An area of Human Biology that is defined by the student and is made up of the Breadth and Depth requirements together.

  • Breadth: 20 units, these courses must be related to your area of concentration and can include introductory courses and labs. 10 flexible units are allowed which includes pre-requisites for Depth courses and/or pre-med units. Limits on breadth courses include COLLEGE, Think, PWR, language and activity courses.
  • Depth:  5 or more upper-level courses with focused content that is directly related to the area of concentration. At least 3 departments must be represented and 20 units minimum is required. Courses must be taken for 3+ units and a letter grade. Limits on depth courses include introductory or survey courses, speaker series, method or project based courses. 

Degree Option: HumBio offers two degree options, BA & BS. Majors take 10 or more units of the designated degree option within their Breadth courses and 5 or more courses in the Upper Division and Depth courses. For the 5 or more courses in the Depth & Upper Division, at least 3 of those courses must be in the Depth section. Courses are designated as BA or BS within SFACT. 


Capstone: Culminating Senior experience. Three options within HumBio include Practicum, Synthesis, and Honors. The Capstone requirement can also be fulfilled by Interdisciplinary Honors and other select programs. Students should identify their Capstone options during Junior year.


These are broad definitions of the degree requirement. For full details, students should review the Bulletin and discuss their academic plans with the advising team.