SAR: Human Physiology
Sample Pathway
Human physiology is a good major if you are interested in the study of human biology or if you are planning to go to medical school, as the pre-med requirements are built into the curriculum. You may, however, choose to pursue other areas of health care or prepare for a career in medical research using human physiology as your foundation. Graduates of the human physiology program have gone on to careers in medicine, public health, dentistry, physician assistant, nursing, other clinical therapy careers, medical research, and health care administration. Dr. Dustin Allen is the director.
Below is an example of a four-year plan of a College of General Studies student pursuing the B.S. in Human Physiology at Sargent College of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences. Students will work with their CGS academic advisors and Sargent College to plan their own pathway to a human physiology degree.
| Gap Semester | Recommended external course: General Chemistry I (equivalent to CAS CH 101)* Note: Prior approval must be granted for external coursework. Students must consult with their CGS academic advisor before enrolling in classes. |
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| Term 1 | Term 2 | |
| First Year | CGS HU 103 CGS RH 103 CGS SS 103 CAS CH 102 |
(London or New England summer semester) CGS HU 104 CGS RH 104 CGS SS 104 |
| Sophomore Year | CGS NS 201 CGS SS 201 CAS MA 121† CAS CH 203 |
CGS HU 202 CAS BI 108 CAS PS 101 CAS CH 204 |
| Summer Term | CAS BI 315 | |
| Junior Year | CAS PY 105 CAS BI 203 CAS MA 115 (or CAS MA 122)† SAR HS 251 |
CAS PY 106 CAS CH 373 or CAS CH 421** SAR HP 252 or SAR HP 353 (HP 353 should be taken junior or senior year only) SAR HS 342 |
| Senior Year (courses can be taken fall or spring) | SAR HS 369 SAR HS 375 (offered in the fall) or SAR HS 371 (offered in the spring) SAR HS 410 or SAR HS 495 CAS MA116 or MA214† Two electives (8 units). Please see the SAR Bulletin for current list. These electives should be taken senior year. Two Hub or General electives*** |
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*Please note that the order of topics in chemistry courses depends strongly on the book, the professor, and the pace of the course. There are also other ways to fulfill the General Chemistry I and II sequence. For more information and suggestions, please consult with your CGS academic advisor.
**CAS CH 421 is only offered in the fall semester.
***Choose your electives carefully to fulfill any remaining BU Hub requirements. Please note that external courses do not fulfill BU Hub requirements.
†Human Physiology Math Requirement: All Human Physiology majors must complete CAS MA 121, in addition to any two of the following: CAS MA 122, CAS MA 115, CAS MA 116, or CAS MA 214.
Note: For students planning to apply to physician assistant or nursing graduate programs, the program recommends taking microbiology with a lab: CAS BI 311 (CAS BI 206 is a prerequisite). Depending upon the specific graduate programs to which you apply, CAS BI 114 or GMS BT 426 may also fulfill the requirement.
Academic Advising
CGS Requirements
Continuation Requirements
Graduation Requirements
This is a sample pathway to be used in consultation with your CGS Academic Advisor.
It is subject to change according to course availability and individual circumstances.
Last revised: 9/16/2025