The human physiology major provides a broad background in science and health while simultaneously preparing students to analyze the functions of the human body in a variety of research and clinical settings. Students take core courses in the sciences during the first two years of the program in addition to courses in the humanities and social sciences. During the final two years of study, human physiology majors take advanced sequences of courses in physiology, research methods, human anatomy, and neuroscience. Students in this major may take electives in neurobiology, muscle biology, vascular physiology, endocrinology, histology, and other health sciences fields.

The major in human physiology includes the prerequisites for admission to graduate programs in medicine, dentistry, and other health professions, as well as in basic science research. Students are also well prepared for careers in the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industries, and for clinical or laboratory research.

Degree Requirements

The minimum requirements to enter the junior year are 64 credits, a minimum GPA of 2.0, and the successful completion of the required courses (or transfer equivalents) specified in the freshman and sophomore curricula below. A course will not be accepted for external transfer if the grade is lower than a C. (A grade of C– is not acceptable.)

The minimum requirements for matriculation in the senior year are 96 credits and successful completion of the required and professional courses (or transfer equivalents) specified in the junior year curriculum.

A minimum of 128 credits is required for graduation. SAR HS 342, SAR HS 369, SAR HS 370, SAR HS 375, and SAR HS 410 must be taken in the department. Each course (or transfer equivalent) specified in the curriculum below must be included in the 128 credits. A cumulative grade point average of 2.0 must be achieved for graduation. This GPA must represent a record that contains no more than 12 credits of D grades. A student may repeat a course only once to meet the above requirements.

Curriculum

Each course carries 4 credits unless otherwise indicated.

Freshman Year

First Semester

• CAS BI 107 Biology I
• CAS CH 101 General Chemistry I
• CAS WR 100 Writing Seminar
• CAS PS 101 General Psychology
• SAR HP 150 Freshman Experience Seminar (0)

Second Semester

• CAS BI 108 Biology II
• CAS CH 102 General Chemistry II
• SAR HP 151 Introduction to Health Professions (2)
• CAS WR 150 Writing and Research Seminar
• PDP Electives (2)

Sophomore Year

First Semester

• CAS CH 203 Organic Chemistry I
• CAS BI 203 Cell Biology
• CAS MA 121 Calculus
• Humanities elective

Second Semester

• CAS CH 204 Organic Chemistry II
• CAS BI 315 Systems Physiology
• CAS MA 122 Calculus
• Social science elective

Junior Year

First Semester

• CAS CH 273 Principles of Biochemistry or
• CAS CH 421 Biochemistry I
• CAS PY 105 Elementary Physics I
• SAR HS 369 Gross Human Anatomy
• Humanities elective

Second Semester

• CAS PY 106 Elementary Physics II
• SAR HS 370 Neuroanatomy and Neurophysiologies
• CAS PS 211 Introduction to Experimental Design or
• CAS MA 113 Elementary Statistics
• Social science elective

Senior Year

First Semester

• SAR HS 251 Human Nutrition Science
• SAR HS 342 Exercise Physiology
• SAR HS 410 Internship: Human Physiology (HS 410 can be taken either fall or spring.)
• General Electives (4–8)

Second Semester

• SAR HS 375 Cardiopulmonary Pathophysiology
• SAR HS 410 Internship: Human Physiology (HS 410 can be taken either fall or spring.)
• CAS HU Humanities Elective
• General Elective (4–8)

A minor in human physiology is offered to undergraduate students at Boston University wishing to enhance their knowledge of physiology, anatomy, neuroscience, exercise science, or nutrition. Based on a strong foundation of the prerequisite courses in the basic sciences and human biology, the student will plan a program of five courses with the help of a departmental faculty advisor that will best accomplish the student’s specific objectives. A student wishing to take a minor concentration (20 credit hours) may use no more than two courses from another concentration to fulfill the requirements for a minor concentration. The student will be required to complete the two core courses (8 credits) and an additional three courses (12 credits) from the following list.

Core Courses

• SAR HS 369 Gross Human Anatomy (Prereq: CAS BI 105, 106, or BI 107, 108)
• SAR HS 370 Neuroanatomy and Neurophysiology (Prereq: CAS BI 211 or BI 315, SAR HS 369 recommended)

Additional Courses

• SAR HS 251 Human Nutrition Science
• SAR HS 281 Nutrition Throughout the Life Cycle (Prereq: SAR HS 251, CAS BI 211 or BI 315)
• SAR HS 300 Epidemiology I
• SAR HS 342 Exercise Physiology (Prereq: CAS BI 211)
• SAR HS 360 Muscle Biology in Health and Disease (Prereq: CAS BI 315)
• SAR HS 361 Introduction to Computational Neuroscience of Speech, Language and Hearing (Prereq: CAS MA 226 and either CAS CN 210 or CAS NE 204)
• SAR HS 375 Cardiopulmonary Pathophysiology (Prereq: SAR HS 342)
• SAR HS 550 Neural Systems (Prereq: one or more courses in basic neuroscience)
• SAR HP 252 Health and Disability Across the Life Span
• SAR HP 353 Organization and Delivery of Health Care in the U.S.
• SAR HP 565 Biomechanics

Students are required to have a GPA of 2.0 or higher to qualify for a minor in human physiology and must receive a grade of C or better in each course to complete the minor.