Human Biology
B.S. Charlie Dunlop School of Biological Sciences · UC Irvine · 2026-2027 Catalog
Understanding normal and disordered human function both require a broad integration of human physiology, behavior, and culture that is provided in this major. Students in this major will receive a unified, in-depth study of modern biology that includes ecology, evolutionary biology, genetics, biochemistry, molecular biology, cell biology, human physiology, neurobiology, and behavior. In addition, the skills and concepts needed to pursue this field are presented in upper-division laboratories. Advanced elective courses provide an opportunity to diversify exposure to the biological sciences. Additional courses in the humanities and social sciences focus on the relevance of these areas to the human condition. Given the focus on human biology, this major will serve as an ideal preparation for the health science professions.
Admission
The major in Human Biology is open to junior- and senior-level students only. Applications to declare the major can be submitted after the spring of the sophomore or junior year, if all change of major requirements are satisfied. Review of applications submitted at that time and selection to the major by the Human Biology Faculty Board is completed during the summer. Information can also be found at the UCI Change of Major Criteria website. Double majors within the School of Biological Sciences or with Public Health Sciences, Biomedical Engineering: Premedical, Nursing Science, or Pharmaceutical Sciences are not permitted.
Requirements
All students must meet the University Requirements.
All students must meet the School Requirements.
Major Requirements for the B.S. in Human Biology
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| A. Required Major Courses: | ||
| BIO SCI D103 | Cell Biology | |
| BIO SCI E109 | Human Physiology | |
| BIO SCI N110 | Neurobiology and Behavior | |
| BIO SCI N120A & BIO SCI N120B & BIO SCI N120C | Human Biology Iand Human Biology IIand Human Biology III | |
| B. Upper-Division Laboratories: | ||
| Select three of the following: | ||
| BIO SCI D111L | Developmental and Cell Biology Laboratory | |
| BIO SCI E106L | Habitats and Organisms | |
| BIO SCI E112L | Physiology Laboratory | |
| BIO SCI E115L | Evolution Laboratory | |
| BIO SCI E131L | Image Analysis in Biological Research | |
| BIO SCI E140L | Evolution and the Environment Laboratory | |
| BIO SCI E166L | Field Biology | |
| BIO SCI E179L | Field Freshwater Ecology | |
| BIO SCI E186L | Population and Community Ecology Lab | |
| BIO SCI M114L | Biochemistry Laboratory | |
| BIO SCI M116L | Molecular Biology Laboratory | |
| BIO SCI M118L | Experimental Microbiology Laboratory | |
| BIO SCI M121L | Advanced Immunology Laboratory | |
| BIO SCI M128L | Introductory Bioinformatics Lab | |
| BIO SCI N113L | Neurobiology Laboratory | |
| BIO SCI N123L | Human Neuroimaging Lab | |
| One laboratory can be satisfied with completion of Excellence in Research in the Biological Sciences. | ||
| C. Upper-Division Biology Electives: | ||
| Select two upper-division, four-unit courses from the following: | ||
| BIO SCI D103-D190, E106-E190, M114-M190, N110-N190 | ||
| PHRMSCI 170A | Molecular Pharmacology I | |
| PHRMSCI 170B | Molecular Pharmacology II | |
| PHRMSCI 171 | Physical Biochemistry | |
| PHRMSCI 173 | Pharmacotherapy | |
| PHRMSCI 174 | Biopharmaceutics and Nanomedicine | |
| PHRMSCI 177 | Medicinal Chemistry | |
| Additionally, Psychology/Biological Sciences double majors may also use PSYCH 112A-PSYCH 112C to partially satisfy the Upper-Division Biology Elective Requirement. | ||
| D. HUMAN 1A-HUMAN 1AS-HUMAN 1B-HUMAN 1BS-HUMAN 1C-HUMAN 1CS | ||
| or Humanities Core Alternative (including MED HUM 1 and MED HUM 3) | ||
- One laboratory can be satisfied with completion of Excellence in Research in the Biological Sciences.
- BIO SCI D103, BIO SCI D104, BIO SCI E106, BIO SCI E109, BIO SCI N110 may not be used to satisfy more than one requirement.
Sample Program
Freshman
| Fall | Winter | Spring |
|---|---|---|
| BIO SCI 2A | BIO SCI 94 | CHEM 1C& CHEM 1LC |
| BIO SCI 90L | CHEM 1B | STATS 7 or 8 (MATH 5B or General Education) |
| BIO SCI 93 | HUMAN 1B (or Humanities Core Alternative) | HUMAN 1C (or Humanities Core Alternative) |
| CHEM 1A | HUMAN 1BS | HUMAN 1CS |
| HUMAN 1A (or Humanities Core Alternative) | ||
| HUMAN 1AS |
Sophomore
| Fall | Winter | Spring |
|---|---|---|
| BIO SCI 97 | BIO SCI 98 | BIO SCI 99 |
| CHEM 51A | CHEM 51B& CHEM 51LB | CHEM 51C& CHEM 51LC |
| CHEM 1LD | MATH 5B (or General Education) | |
| MATH 5A (or MATH 5B or General Education) |
Junior
| Fall | Winter | Spring |
|---|---|---|
| BIO SCI N120A | BIO SCI N120B | BIO SCI N120C |
| PHYSICS 3A | BIO SCI E109 | BIO SCI N110 |
| BIO SCI 100 | PHYSICS 3B | PHYSICS 3C& PHYSICS 3LC |
| PHYSICS 3LB | PHYSICS 3LC | |
| Research | BIO SCI 199 |
Senior
| Fall | Winter | Spring |
|---|---|---|
| BIO SCI D103 | UD Bio Sci Elective | UD Bio Sci Elective |
| UD Bio Sci Lab | UD Bio Sci Lab | UD Bio Sci Lab |
| BIO SCI 199 | BIO SCI 199 | BIO SCI 199 |