Studies & Degrees in Human Biology
Human Biology Study Programs
Human biology is the study of the human body as a biological system: how cells, tissues and organs work, how genes and the environment shape health, and what goes wrong in disease. It sits between general biology and medicine. Students take the core of a biology degree (chemistry, genetics, cell and molecular biology, biochemistry) and then concentrate on human topics such as anatomy, physiology, immunology, nutrition, neurobiology, pharmacology and the biology of disease, with a large share of laboratory work.
The University of California San Diego describes its Human Biology major as a programme of study in human physiology and biochemistry and the molecular basis of disease, covering everything from the physiology of organ systems to the genetic and biochemical workings of cells.
Qualifications and levels
- Bachelor's degree: in the United States, human biology is a major within a bachelor of science, or a track within a biology degree. A bachelor's degree there is usually completed in four years of full-time study, according to EducationUSA. At UC San Diego the major combines lower-division biology, chemistry, mathematics and physics with upper-division courses in genetics, cell biology, molecular biology and human physiology, core courses in human physiology and human disease, and laboratory courses such as human anatomy or human physiology; 48 upper-division units are required for the major.
- Master's degree: a research-oriented second degree. The MSc in Human Biology at the University of Copenhagen is a 2-year programme taught in English with about 40 students a year. It consists of roughly 50% mandatory courses, 10% electives and 40% thesis; the master's thesis is worth 50 ECTS credits.
- Doctorate: the usual next step for a research career. According to the University of Copenhagen, more than half of its human biology graduates continue with a PhD.
Human biology is not a medical qualification. It does not give the right to practise as a doctor, but it is a common basis for applying to health-science programmes later.
Where to study it
SpainExchange lists 9 active schools for human biology: 4 in the United States and 1 each in Spain, Nepal, Denmark, Zimbabwe and the United Kingdom. Most teach in English.
- The University of California San Diego, in La Jolla, offers the Human Biology major in its School of Biological Sciences.
- The University of Southern Maine, in Portland, offers an undergraduate biology degree with tracks in general biology, human biology, biotechnology and teacher certification.
- The University of Copenhagen offers the MSc in Human Biology, focused on cell biology, immunology, bioinformatics, pathophysiology and pharmacology. Applicants with a bachelor's degree in fields such as medicine, biochemistry, biology or pharmaceutics are eligible, with at least 5 ECTS in biology, biochemistry or pharmacology, and must meet an English language requirement. Citizens of countries outside the EU, EEA and Switzerland pay an application deposit and tuition fee.
The directory also lists the University of California, Irvine, Cleveland University-Kansas City, Manchester Metropolitan University, Kathmandu University, the National University of Science and Technology in Bulawayo and the Universitat de Barcelona. Check each school's own pages for the exact name of the degree, because human biology is often taught within biology, biomedical or health-science programmes.
Careers
Graduates follow two main paths. Many continue studying: UC San Diego states that the major is a strong starting point for postgraduate programmes in the health sciences, including schools of medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, veterinary medicine, public health, physical therapy and nursing. Others go straight into work in research, teaching and life-science businesses.
The University of Copenhagen reports that its human biology graduates are employed in the public and private sectors, for example in the biomedical industry, biotech companies, food technology firms, research centres, hospitals and academic institutions.
Frequently asked questions
Is human biology the same as medicine?
No. Human biology is a science degree about how the human body works in health and disease. It does not qualify you to practise medicine, but it is a common preparation for applying to medical and other health-science schools.
What subjects do I need for a human biology degree?
Expect biology, chemistry, mathematics and physics in the first years. UC San Diego, for example, requires lower-division courses in all four before the upper-division courses in genetics, cell biology, molecular biology and human physiology.
Can I study human biology in English in Europe?
Yes. The MSc in Human Biology at the University of Copenhagen is a 2-year programme taught entirely in English.
What can I do after a degree in human biology?
Typical routes are postgraduate study in the health sciences, a research master's and PhD, or work in the biomedical and biotech industry, hospitals, research centres and teaching.