BS/MS in Human Physiology

The BS/MS in Human Physiology is an early-admission, accelerated program that prepares students for careers in clinical, pharmaceutical, or biotechnology settings. The program provides a strong foundation for doctoral-level studies in biology, physiology, or neuroscience while also strengthening professional school applications.

As with the BS in Human Physiology, the undergraduate portion of the BS/MS program has premedical courses built into the curriculum and includes a clinical or research internship. In the senior year, however, students begin taking graduate courses and start their thesis research. Working together with a faculty mentor, a graduate plan of study based on research interests and career goals is developed. Learn more about departmental research opportunities by investigating our renowned faculty and our human physiology research labs.

Bachelor’s-to-Master’s Programs are linked bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in which the two degrees are conferred sequentially. This Bachelor’s-to-Master’s Program allows students to apply a maximum 8 units from their undergraduate degree toward the associated master’s degree. The units applied toward the master’s degree must be at the 500 level or above.

Students must apply to Bachelor’s-to-Master’s Programs before the conferral of the bachelor’s degree. Typically, students apply to the Human Physiology Bachelor’s-to-Master’s Program in their sophomore year. Students in the Human Physiology Bachelor’s-to-Master’s Programs must complete at least 33 units while enrolled as a graduate student. Students should consult with the Financial Assistance office to learn how entrance into the Bachelor’s-to-Master’s Program might impact their financial aid.

Admission Requirements

Applicants should refer to the program website for the most up-to-date admission requirements and application deadlines.

Learning Outcomes

  • Demonstrate a robust understanding of human anatomy and human physiology.
    • Students will demonstrate a diverse understanding of human anatomy and human physiology by:
      • Discerning anatomical features/structures
      • Differentiating function and dysfunction of various body systems
      • Recognizing the interrelatedness of body systems
      • Applying this knowledge to real-world scenarios
  • Demonstrate practical skills for research, health, and the healthcare industry.
    • Students will be able to demonstrate practical skills by:
      • Developing a variety of diagnostic and research techniques
      • Making informed decisions based on individual evaluations
      • Understanding “best practices” of patient care in real-world, clinical settings
  • Exhibit social and cultural awareness.
    • Students will demonstrate cultural and social acumen via:
      • Developing effective interpersonal communication skills
      • Displaying the ability to collaborate and contribute to a team
      • Identifying instances of exclusion and marginalization in health, research, and medicine

Requirements

All BU undergraduate students, including both entering first-year and transfer students, will pursue coursework in the BU Hub, the University’s general education program that is integrated into the entire undergraduate experience. BU Hub requirements can be satisfied in a number of ways, including coursework in and beyond the major as well as through cocurricular activities. Students majoring in Human Physiology will, through coursework in the major, satisfy BU Hub requirements in a variety of Learning Capacities such as Intensive Writing and Oral & Digital Communication, along with Intellectual Toolkit requirements such as Teamwork and Critical Thinking. Remaining BU Hub requirements will ordinarily be satisfied by selecting from a wide range of available courses outside the major, or, in some cases, cocurricular experiences.

The curriculum is similar to the BS in Human Physiology course of study through the junior year with the exception that:

  • Students will be required to take the yearlong Biochemistry sequence (CAS CH 421/422).
  • Students begin master’s thesis research in their senior year, rather than completing the Internship/Practicum (SAR HS 410) requirement.
  • This is a five-year program where students will obtain a BS degree after their fourth year and their MS degree after their fifth year.

University Requirements

A minimum of 128 units is required for graduation with the BS, plus an additional 33 units to obtain the MS, for a total of 161 units. Each course (or transfer equivalent) specified in the curriculum below must be included in the 161 units.

For the BS, a cumulative GPA of 2.0 must be achieved for graduation. This GPA must represent a record that contains no more than 16 units of D grades. A course will not be accepted for external transfer if the grade is lower than a C. (A grade of C– is not acceptable.)

For the MS, a cumulative GPA of 3.0, is required. Any grade below a C will not be accepted for units. To remain in the program, students may not receive more than 12 units below a C+.

For further information about the Human Physiology program, please visit the BS/MS in Human Physiology page on the Sargent College website.

Curriculum

BS Degree Requirements Units
Sargent College Requirements 6 units
Fundamental Course Requirements 52 units
Human Physiology Requirements 44 units
Human Physiology Electives/BU Hub Electives 26 units
Total 128 units
Sargent College Requirements Units
SAR HP 150 First-Year Experience Seminar 0 units
SAR HP 151 Introduction to Health Professions 2 units
SAR HP 252 Health and Disability Across the Lifespan or
SAR HP 353 Organization and Delivery of Healthcare in the US
4 units
Total 6 units
Fundamental Courses Units
First-Year Writing Seminar (e.g., CAS WR 120) 4 units
Writing, Research, and Inquiry (e.g., CAS WR 151/152/153) 4 units
CAS BI 107 Biology I 4 units
CAS BI 108 Biology II 4 units
CAS CH 101 General Chemistry I 4 units
CAS CH 102 General Chemistry II 4 units
CAS CH 203 Organic Chemistry I 4 units
CAS CH 204 Organic Chemistry II or CAS CH 214+ 4 units
CAS MA 121 Calculus 4 units
CAS MA 122 Calculus or CAS MA 115 Statistics I 4 units
CAS MA 116 Statistics II or CAS MA 214 Applied Statistics 4 units
CAS PY 105 Elementary Physics I 4 units
CAS PY 106 Elementary Physics II 4 units
Total 52 units

+Students taking CAS CH 421 Biochemistry should take CAS CH 214 Organic Chemistry instead of CH 204.

Human Physiology Requirements Units
CAS PS 101 General Psychology 4 units
CAS BI 203 Cell Biology 4 units
CAS BI 315 Systems Physiology 4 units
CAS CH 421 Biochemistry I* 4 units
CAS CH 422 Biochemistry II* 4 units
SAR HS 251 Human Nutrition Science 4 units
SAR HS 342 Exercise Physiology 4 units
SAR HS 369 Gross Human Anatomy 4 units
SAR HS 375 Cardiovascular Pathophysiology or SAR HS 371 Pulmonary Pathophysiology 4 units
SAR HS 791 Directed Study and Research* 8 units
Total 44 units

* These courses are uniquely different from the BS degree path.

MS Degree Requirements Units
Fundamental Course Requirements 5 units
Human Physiology Electives 12 units
Directed Study and Research 16 units
Total 33 units
Human Physiology Electives (minimum of 12 units required) Units
SAR HS 541 Physiology Across the Lifespan (Fall) 4 units
SAR HS 592 Muscle Physiology (Spring) 4 units
SAR HS 582 Neuroanatomy and Neurophysiology (Spring) 4 units
SAR HS 572 Pulmonary Pathophysiology (Spring) 4 units
SAR HS 575 Cardiovascular Pathophysiology (Fall) 4 units
SAR HS 576 Clinical Measurements in Cardiology (Spring) 4 units
SAR HS 538 Pathophysiology in Marginalized Populations (Fall) 4 units
SAR HS 549 Mechanisms of Disruption in Brain Disorders (Spring) 4 units
SAR HS 552 Advanced Exercise Physiology (Fall) 4 units
SAR HS 745 Advanced Regional Anatomy (Fall/Spring) 2 units

Sample Curriculum

Each course carries 4 units, unless otherwise indicated.

Begin BS in Human Physiology

Year 1

Fall Spring
CAS BI 107 Biology I CAS BI 108 Biology II
CAS CH 101 General Chemistry I CAS CH 102 General Chemistry II
First-Year Writing Seminar (e.g., CAS WR 120) SAR HP 151 Introduction to Health Professions (2 units)
CAS PS 101 General Psychology Writing, Research, and Inquiry (e.g., CAS WR 151/152/153)
SAR HP 150 First-Year Experience Seminar (0 units) BU Hub elective

Year 2

Fall Spring
CAS CH 203 Organic Chemistry I CAS CH 204 Organic Chemistry II or CAS CH 214+
CAS BI 203 Cell Biology (can be taken fall or spring) CAS BI 315 Systems Physiology
CAS MA 121 Calculus CAS MA 122 Calculus (or MA 115)
BU Hub requirements outside the major1 BU Hub requirements outside the major2

Apply to the BS/MS program

Year 3

Fall Spring
CAS CH 421 Biochemistry I CAS CH 422 Biochemistry II
CAS PY 105 Elementary Physics I CAS PY 106 Elementary Physics II
SAR HS 251 Human Nutrition Science SAR HS 342 Exercise Physiology
BU Hub requirements outside the major or SAR HP 252 or SAR HP 353 BU Hub requirements outside the major or SAR HP 252 or SAR HP 353

Year 4

Fall Spring
SAR HS 369 Gross Human Anatomy SPH BS 704 Introduction to Biostatistics
Pathophysiology requirement (SAR HS 375 or SAR HS 371) or BU Hub elective Pathophysiology requirement (SAR HS 375 or SAR HS 371) or BU Hub elective
SAR HS 791 Directed Study and Research SAR HS 791 Directed Study and Research
BU Hub requirements outside the major and/or BU Hub electives (4–8 units) BU Hub requirements outside the major and/or BU Hub electives (4–8 units)

Year 5

Fall Spring
CAS BI 552 Molecular Biology I CAS BI 553 Molecular Biology II
SAR HS 791 Directed Study and Research SAR HS 791 Directed Study and Research
SAR HS 750 The Physiologist’s Toolbox Human Physiology elective
Human Physiology elective Human Physiology elective

1Visit the BU Hub section of the Bulletin for a listing of BU Hub electives.
+Students taking CAS CH 421 Biochemistry should take CAS CH 214 Organic Chemistry instead of CH 204.
2For students planning to apply to medical school, the department recommends taking CAS SO 100 Principles in Sociology or CAS SO 215 Sociology of Health Care to prepare for the MCAT exam.

Honors Requirements

Students are eligible to participate in the Sargent College Senior Thesis for Distinction. This experience provides a thorough understanding of the research enterprise. The thesis will develop your technical writing and oral presentation skills through interactions in the laboratory, writing a final report on your project, and summarizing your research in a final presentation to students and faculty. In addition, the dedication, creativity, and independence honed during your thesis experience will be invaluable in helping prepare you for graduate school. Successful completion of the Sargent College Senior Thesis for Distinction results in the designation “graduation with distinction” appearing on the student’s diploma and transcript.

Further information is available on the Sargent College website.