Biological Sciences (BS): Human Biology Concentration
There are five different avenues to earning a B.S. in Biological Sciences at NC State. Students studying for a degree in Biological Sciences can opt for a general curriculum (BLS) or can choose to focus in a particular area by selecting one of four areas of concentration: Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology (MCD), Integrative Physiology and Neurobiology (IPN), Human Biology (HB), or Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology (EEC).
The Human Biology (HB) curriculum provides the opportunity to study those areas of science most important to health-related professions as well as relevant aspects of the humanities and social sciences. It is designed to provide students with a solid education in the scientific and humanistic concepts that underlie modern health sciences and related areas of scientific research. Course requirements in HB include those most commonly required by medical schools.
Plan Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Exploring the Life Sciences | ||
| 尝厂颁听103 | Exploring Opportunities in the Life Sciences | 1 |
| Writing | ||
| Advanced Writing Requirement Electives 1 | 3 | |
Cannot be double-counted for a GEP requirement. | ||
| Biological Sciences | ||
| 尝厂颁听101 | Critical and Creative Thinking in the Life Sciences 1 | 2 |
| 叠滨翱听181 | Introductory Biology: Ecology, Evolution, and Biodiversity 1 | 4 |
| 叠滨翱听183 | Introductory Biology: Cellular and Molecular Biology 1 | 4 |
| Physiology Electives 1 | 7 | |
| 骋狈听311 | Principles of Genetics 1 | 4 |
| 惭叠听351 | General Microbiology 1 | 3 |
| 惭叠听352 | General Microbiology Laboratory 1 | 1 |
| 辞谤听惭叠听354 | Inquiry-Guided Microbiology Lab | |
| 叠颁贬听351 | General Biochemistry 1 | 3 |
| 辞谤听叠颁贬听451 | Principles of Biochemistry | |
| Physical & Mathematical Sciences | ||
| 惭础听131 | Calculus for Life and Management Sciences A 1 | 3 |
| 辞谤听惭础听141 | Calculus I | |
| 惭础听231 | Calculus for Life and Management Sciences B 1 | 3 |
| 辞谤听惭础听241 | Calculus II | |
| 颁贬听101 | Chemistry - A Molecular Science 1 | 3 |
| 颁贬听102 | General Chemistry Laboratory 1 | 1 |
| 颁贬听201 | Chemistry - A Quantitative Science 1 | 3 |
| 颁贬听202 | Quantitative Chemistry Laboratory 1 | 1 |
| 颁贬听221 | Organic Chemistry I 1 | 3 |
| 颁贬听222 | Organic Chemistry I Lab 1 | 1 |
| 颁贬听223 | Organic Chemistry II 1 | 3 |
| 颁贬听224 | Organic Chemistry II Lab 1 | 1 |
| Select one of the following: 1 | 4 | |
| College Physics I | ||
| Physics for Engineers and Scientists I and Physics for Engineers and Scientists I Laboratory | ||
| Select one of the following: 1 | 4 | |
| College Physics II | ||
| Physics for Engineers and Scientists II and Physics for Engineers and Scientists II Laboratory | ||
| 厂罢听311 | Introduction to Statistics 1 | 3 |
| Major Electives | ||
| Human Biology Electives 1 | 12 | |
| Additional Science & Math Electives | 9 | |
| GEP Courses | ||
| 贰狈骋听101 | Academic Writing and Research 1 | 4 |
| GEP Humanities | 6 | |
| GEP Social Sciences | 6 | |
| GEP Health and Exercise Studies | 2 | |
| GEP Elective | 3 | |
| GEP Interdisciplinary Perspectives | 3 | |
| GEP Global Knowledge (verify requirement) | ||
| GEP Foundations of American Democracy (verify requirement) | ||
| World Language Proficiency (verify requirement) | ||
| Free Electives | ||
| Free Electives (12 Hr S/U Lmt) 2 | 10 | |
| These electives cannot be remedial nor can they be taken at an elementary level after you have taken comparable coursework at a more advanced level. Students interested in graduate school or professional school should check the courses required for admission to the programs to which they plan to apply. | ||
| Total Hours | 120 | |
- 1
A grade of C- or higher is required.
- 2
Students should consult their academic advisors to determine which courses fill this requirement.
Advanced Writing Requirement Electives
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| 叠滨翱听267 | Research in the Life Sciences I: Research Skills | 3 |
| 颁翱惭听211 | Argumentation and Advocacy | 3 |
| 贰狈骋听214 | Introduction to Editing | 3 |
| 贰狈骋听232 | Literature and Medicine | 3 |
| 贰狈骋听287 | Explorations in Creative Writing | 3 |
| 贰狈骋听288 | Fiction Writing | 3 |
| 贰狈骋听289 | Poetry Writing | 3 |
| 贰狈骋听292 | Writing About Film | 3 |
| 贰狈骋听316 | Introduction to News and Article Writing | 3 |
| 贰狈骋听323 | Writing in Rhetorical Traditions | 3 |
| 贰狈骋听331 | Communication for Engineering and Technology | 3 |
| 贰狈骋听332 | Communication for Business and Management | 3 |
| 贰狈骋听333 | Communication for Science and Research | 3 |
| 贰狈骋听381 | Creative Nonfiction Writing Workshop | 3 |
| 贰狈骋听388 | Intermediate Fiction Writing Workshop | 3 |
| 贰狈骋听389 | Intermediate Poetry Writing Workshop | 3 |
| 贰狈骋听416 | Advanced News and Article Writing | 3 |
| 贰狈骋听417 | Editorial and Opinion Writing | 3 |
| 贰狈骋听422 | Writing Theory and the Writing Process | 3 |
| 贰狈骋听425 | Analysis of Scientific and Technical Writing | 3 |
| 贰狈骋听426 | Analyzing Style | 3 |
Physiology Electives
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| 叠滨翱听240 | Principles of Human Anatomy & Physiology (A): Nervous, Skeletal, Muscular, & Digestive Systems | 3 |
| 叠滨翱听242 | Human Anatomy and Physiology Laboratory | 2 |
| 叠滨翱听245 | Principles of Human Anatomy & Physiology (B): Endocrine, Cardiovascular, Respiratory & Renal Systems | 3 |
| 叠滨翱听424 | Endocrinology | 3 |
| 叠滨翱听488 | Neurobiology | 3 |
| 叠滨翱听588 | Neurobiology | 3 |
| 惭叠听441 | Immunology | 3 |
Human Biology Electives
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ANS 452/552 | Comparative Reproductive Physiology and Biotechnology | 3 |
| 础狈罢听371 | Human Variation | 3 |
| 础狈罢听374 | Disease and Society | 3 |
| ANT 421/521 | Human Osteology | 3 |
| ANT 424/524 | Bioarchaeology | 3 |
| ANT 444/544 | Cross-Cultural Perspectives on Women | 3 |
| ANT 450/550 | Culture, Ecology, and Sustainable Living | 3 |
| 叠颁贬听452 | Introductory Biochemistry Laboratory | 2 |
| BCH 453/553 | Biochemistry of Gene Expression | 3 |
| 叠颁贬听454 | Advanced Biochemistry Laboratory | 4 |
| BCH 455/555 | Proteins and Molecular Mechanisms | 3 |
| 叠滨翱听315 | General Parasitology | 3 |
| 叠滨翱听361 | Developmental Biology | 3 |
| 叠滨翱听370 | Developmental Anatomy of the Vertebrates | 3 |
| 叠滨翱听375 | Developmental Anatomy Laboratory | 2 |
| 叠滨翱听405 | Functional Histology | 3 |
| 叠滨翱听414 | Cell Biology | 3 |
| 叠滨翱听416 | Cancer Cell Biology | 3 |
| 叠滨翱听418 | Cell Biology Research Lab | 2 |
| 叠滨翱听424 | Endocrinology | 3 |
| 叠滨翱听432 | Evolutionary Medicine | 3 |
| 叠滨翱听434 | Hormones and Behavior | 3 |
| 叠滨翱听440 | The Human Animal: An Evolutionary Perspective | 3 |
| 叠滨翱听482 | Capstone Course in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology | 3 |
| 叠滨翱听483 | Capstone Course in Integrative Physiology and Neurobiology | 3 |
| 叠滨翱听484 | Capstone Course in Human Biology | 3 |
| BIO 488/588 | Neurobiology | 3 |
| BIT 477/577 | Metagenomics | 2 |
| 贰顿笔听476 | Psychology of Adolescent Development | 3 |
| 贰狈罢听207 | Insects and Human Disease | 3 |
| 贵厂听301 | Introduction to Human Nutrition | 3 |
| 贵厂听405 &补尘辫;听贵厂听406 | Food Microbiology and Food Microbiology Lab | 5 |
| 贵厂听505 &补尘辫;听贵厂听506 | Food Microbiology and Food Microbiology Lab | 5 |
| 骋狈听301 | Genetics in Human Affairs | 3 |
| GN 421/521 | Molecular Genetics | 3 |
| 骋狈听434 | Genes and Development | 3 |
| GN 441/541 | Human and Biomedical Genetics | 3 |
| 骋狈听451 | Genome Science | 3 |
| 骋狈听456 | Epigenetics, Development, and Disease | 3 |
| 骋笔贬听201 | ||
| 骋笔贬听404 | Epidemiology and Statistics in Global Public Health | 3 |
| 惭叠听405 &补尘辫;听惭叠听406 | Food Microbiology and Food Microbiology Lab | 5 |
| 惭叠听411 &补尘辫;听惭叠听412 | Medical Microbiology and Medical Microbiology Laboratory | 4 |
| MB 435/535 | Bacterial Pathogenesis | 3 |
| 惭叠听441 | Immunology | 3 |
| 惭叠听470 | Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases | 3 |
| 狈罢搁听301 | Introduction to Human Nutrition | 3 |
| 狈罢搁听330 | Public Health Nutrition | 3 |
| NTR 410/510 | Maternal and Infant Nutrition | 3 |
| 狈罢搁听419 | Human Nutrition and Chronic Disease | 3 |
| 笔叠听215 | Medicinal Plants | 3 |
| 笔贬滨听221 | Contemporary Moral Issues | 3 |
| 笔贬滨听325 | Bio-Medical Ethics | 3 |
| 笔贬驰听503 | General Physiology I | 3 |
| 笔贬驰听504 | General Physiology II | 3 |
| 笔厂驰听370 | Personality | 3 |
| 笔厂驰听376 | Developmental Psychology | 3 |
| 笔厂驰听406 | Psychology of Gender | 3 |
| 笔厂驰听430 | Biological Psychology | 3 |
| 笔厂驰听431 | Health Psychology | 3 |
| 笔厂驰听470 | Psychopathology and Mental Health | 3 |
| 笔厂驰听475 | Child Psychology | 3 |
| 笔厂驰听476 | Psychology of Adolescent Development | 3 |
| 厂翱颁听301 | Human Behavior | 3 |
| 厂翱颁听381 | Sociology of Medicine | 3 |
| 厂罢听404 | Epidemiology and Statistics in Global Public Health | 3 |
| 厂罢厂听325 | Bio-Medical Ethics | 3 |
| 罢翱齿听201 | Poisons, People and the Environment | 3 |
| 罢翱齿听401 | Principles of Toxicology | 4 |
| 罢翱齿听501 | Principles of Toxicology | 4 |
| 奥骋厂听406 | Psychology of Gender | 3 |
| WGS 444/544 | Cross-Cultural Perspectives on Women | 3 |
Additional Science and Math Electives听
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| AEC/GN 450 | Conservation Genetics | 3 |
| BEC/BIT 463 | Fermentation of Recombinant Microorganisms | 2 |
| 叠滨翱听230 | The Science of Studying Dinosaurs | 3 |
| 叠滨翱听240 | Principles of Human Anatomy & Physiology (A): Nervous, Skeletal, Muscular, & Digestive Systems | 3 |
| 叠滨翱听242 | Human Anatomy and Physiology Laboratory | 2 |
| 叠滨翱听245 | Principles of Human Anatomy & Physiology (B): Endocrine, Cardiovascular, Respiratory & Renal Systems | 3 |
| 叠滨翱听269 | Research in the Life Sciences II: Guided Research | 3 |
| 叠滨翱听310 | Quantitative Approaches to Biological Problems | 3 |
| 叠滨翱听416 | Cancer Cell Biology | 3 |
| 叠滨翱听418 | Cell Biology Research Lab | 2 |
| 叠滨翱听432 | Evolutionary Medicine | 3 |
| 叠滨罢听477 | Metagenomics | 2 |
| 骋狈听428 | Introduction to Machine Learning in Biology | 3 |
| 骋狈听453 | Personal Genomics | 3 |
| 惭础听331 | Differential Equations for the Life Sciences | 3 |
| 惭叠听470 | Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases | 3 |
| 笔叠听205 | Our Green World | 3 |
| 窜翱听334 | Captive Animal Biology Field Laboratory | 2 |
| 窜翱听486 | Capstone Course in Zoology | 3 |
Semester Sequence
This is a sample.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Hours | |
| 尝厂颁听101 | Critical and Creative Thinking in the Life Sciences 1 | 2 |
| 叠滨翱听181 | Introductory Biology: Ecology, Evolution, and Biodiversity 1 | 4 |
| 颁贬听101 | Chemistry - A Molecular Science 1 | 3 |
| 颁贬听102 | General Chemistry Laboratory 1 | 1 |
| 惭础听131 | Calculus for Life and Management Sciences A 1 | 3 |
| 尝厂颁听103 | Exploring Opportunities in the Life Sciences | 1 |
| GEP Health and Exercise Studies | 1 | |
| 听 | Hours | 15 |
| Spring Semester | ||
| 叠滨翱听183 | Introductory Biology: Cellular and Molecular Biology 1 | 4 |
| 颁贬听221 | Organic Chemistry I 1 | 3 |
| 颁贬听222 | Organic Chemistry I Lab 1 | 1 |
| 贰狈骋听101 | Academic Writing and Research | 4 |
| 惭础听231 | Calculus for Life and Management Sciences B 1 | 3 |
| 听 | Hours | 15 |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| Physiology Requirement | 4 | |
| 颁贬听223 | Organic Chemistry II 1 | 3 |
| 颁贬听224 | Organic Chemistry II Lab 1 | 1 |
| 厂罢听311 | Introduction to Statistics 1 | 3 |
| GEP Humanities | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| 听 | Hours | 17 |
| Spring Semester | ||
| Physiology Requirement or HB Elective | 3-4 | |
| 笔驰听211 | College Physics I 1 | 4 |
| 颁贬听201 | Chemistry - A Quantitative Science 1 | 3 |
| 颁贬听202 | Quantitative Chemistry Laboratory 1 | 1 |
| Advanced Writing Requirement | 3 | |
| 听 | Hours | 14 |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| 叠颁贬听351 or 叠颁贬听451 | General Biochemistry 1 or Principles of Biochemistry | 3-4 |
| 笔驰听212 | College Physics II 1 | 4 |
| 惭叠听351 | General Microbiology 1 | 3 |
| 惭叠听352 or 惭叠听354 | General Microbiology Laboratory 1 or Inquiry-Guided Microbiology Lab | 1 |
| GEP Interdisciplinary Perspectives | 3 | |
| GEP Health and Exercise Studies | 1 | |
| 听 | Hours | 15 |
| Spring Semester | ||
| 骋狈听311 | Principles of Genetics 1 | 4 |
| GEP Social Sciences | 3 | |
| Science & Math Elective | 3 | |
| Physiology Requirement or HB Elective | 3-4 | |
| 听 | Hours | 14 |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| HB Elective | 3 | |
| HB Elective | 3 | |
| GEP Social Sciences | 3 | |
| GEP Elective | 3 | |
| Science and Math Elective | 3 | |
| 听 | Hours | 15 |
| Spring Semester | ||
| HB Elective | 3 | |
| GEP Humanities | 3 | |
| Science and Math Elective | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| 听 | Hours | 15 |
| 听 | Total Hours | 120 |
- 1
A grade of C- or higher is required.
Career Opportunities
Many students majoring in the Department of Biological Sciences take advantage of scholarship and honors programs available at NC State, including the 福利逼站 Honors Program and the 福利逼站 Scholars Program.听 In addition, we offer a discipline-based Undergraduate Honors Program in Biological Sciences (DBS Honors Program).听 The DBS Honors Program requires students to design a challenging program of advanced study, including eight credits of honors coursework in biology and at least two semesters of research or teaching scholarship.听 Participants write an honors thesis and are required to present their scholarly work at a local, regional, or national meeting.听 Invitations to join the DBS Honors Program are sent in the first three weeks of the Fall and Spring semesters.听听Students in any major in the Department of Biological Sciences who have earned an overall GPA of 3.60 after completing 30-65 credit hours at NC State will receive an invitation to join the DBS Honors Program; transfer students in any of our majors who have earned an overall GPA of 3.60 in 15 credit hours at NC State also will receive an invitation.听听
Students who graduate from the Department of Biological Sciences are well prepared for employment in various government agencies and private industries. Graduates may continue their education with studies leading to advanced degrees in many areas of the biological sciences, including cell biology, ecology, microbiology, genetics, zoology, neurobiology, and biomedical disciplines. Many choose to seek advanced degrees in medicine, dentistry, optometry, veterinary medicine, public health, and other health-related fields. Students who plan to seek certification for pre-college teaching may want to pursue a second major in the Department of Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics Education.
Career Titles
- Agricultural Sciences Professor
- Agronomist
- Allergists and Immunologists
- Anesthesiologist (MD)
- Anesthesiologist Assistants
- Animal Breeder
- Animal Scientist
- Aquaculture Specialist
- Aquarium Curator
- Biochemist
- Biological Technician
- Biologist
- Biology Professor
- Biomedical Engineer
- Biophysicist
- Biopsychologist
- Botanist
- Cardiologist (MD)
- Clinical Dietitian
- Dentist (DDS)
- Dietitian and Nutritionist
- Environmental Disease Analyst
- Environmental Engineer
- Environmental Research Analyst
- Epidemiologists
- Family Practitioner (MD)
- Fish and Game Warden
- Fish Hatchery Specialist
- Food & Drug Inspector
- Food Science Technicians
- Food Technologist
- Forensic Science Technicians
- General Internists (MD)
- Genetic Counselors
- Geneticist
- Gynecologist (MD)
- Hazardous Waste Management Analyst
- Horticulturist
- Hospitalists
- Industrial Hygienist
- Industrial Waste Inspector
- Low Vision Therapists, Orientation and Mobility Specialists, and Vision Rehabilitation Therapists
- Marine and Aquatic Biologist
- Medical and Scientific Illustrator
- Medical Equipment Technician
- Medical Technologist
- Microbiologist
- Obstetrician (MD)
- Occupational Health and Safety Technicians
- Occupational Physician (MD)
- Oceanographer
- Optometrist
- Park Naturalist
- Pathologist (MD)
- Pediatrician (MD)
- Pharmacist
- Pharmacologist
- Phlebotomist
- Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Physicians
- Physician Assistant (PA)
- Radiologist (MD)
- Sales Representative (Chemicals & Drugs)
- Soil Conservationist
- Soil Scientist
- Sports Physician (Orthopedist)
- Surgeons (MD)
- Toxicologist
- Urologists
- Veterinarian (VMD)
- Water Pollution Control Inspector
- Wildlife Biologist
- Wildlife Control Agent
- Winemaker / Vinter
- Zoologist
Learn More About Careers
Explore North Carolina鈥檚 central online resource for students, parents, educators, job seekers and career counselors looking for high quality job and career information.
Browse the Occupational Outlook Handbook published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics to view state and area employment and wage statistics. You can also identify and compare similar occupations based on your interests.
View videos that provide career details and information on wages, employment trends, skills needed, and more for any occupation. Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor.
(NC State student email address required)
This career, major and education planning system is available to current NC State students to learn about how your values, interests, competencies, and personality fit into the NC State majors and your future career. An NC State email address is required to create an account. Make an appointment with your to discuss the results.
(Available to prospective students)
A career assessment tool designed to support prospective students in exploring and choosing the right major and career path based on your unique personality, interests, skills and values. Get started with Focus 2 Apply and see how it can guide your journey at NC State.