If you’d like to enhance your knowledge of human physiology, anatomy, neuroscience, exercise science, or nutrition, a minor in human physiology may be what you’re looking for.
With the help of a departmental faculty advisor, you’ll plan a program of five courses to meet your objectives, starting with a strong foundation of prerequisite courses in the basic sciences and human biology.
You may use no more than two courses from another concentration to fulfill the requirements for a minor concentration (20 credit hours). You will be required to complete the two core courses (8 credits) and an additional three courses (12 credits) from the list below.
Core Courses
SAR HS369: Gross Human Anatomy
Undergraduate Prerequisites: CAS BI105 & CAS BI106 or CAS BI107 & CAS BI108 and CAS BI211 or CAS BI 315. - Integrative approach to the musculoskeletal, peripheral nervous, and circulatory systems of the human body. Regional approach is used to present lectures with the use of projected drawings, films, slides, and demonstrations. Weekly labs reinforce the lectures by a study of osteology, dissected cadavers, and live anatomy palpations. Either semester. (Credits: 4)
AND
SAR HS370: Neuroanatomy and Neurophysiology
Undergraduate Prerequisites: (CASBI211 OR CASBI315) SAR HS369 recommended. - Lecture and laboratory related to the detailed study of development, morphology, internal configuration, and functions, and pathological deficits of the peripheral and central nervous system in humans. Spring semester only. (Credits: 4)
OR
SAR HS375: Cardiovascular Pathophysiology
Undergraduate Prerequisites: (CASBI211 OR CASBI315) - Overview of anatomy and physiology of the cardiovascular systems during normal and pathological conditions. This course will also cover pathophysiology of exercise performance in cardiovascular diseases, as well as adaptations to physical conditioning. (Credits: 4)
SAR HS369 Prerequisites
- CAS BI105: Introductory Biology for Health Sciences
- CAS BI108: Biology 2
- CAS BI210: Human Anatomy
- CAS BI315: Systems Physiology
- CAS BI 211 or CAS BI 107
SAR HS370 Prerequisites
- CAS BI 211 or 315
- SAR HS 369 (recommended)
Additional Courses
SAR HP252: Health and Disability Across the Lifespan
Undergraduate Prerequisites: First Year Writing Seminar (e.g., WR 100 or WR 120) - Overview of health development across the lifespan followed by an examination of common conditions that typically begin in certain stages. Each condition will be examined for its individual, group and systemic impacts. Effective Fall 2019, this course fulfills a single unit in the following BU Hub area: Writing-Intensive Course. (Credits: 4)
SAR HP353: Organization and Delivery of Health Care in the U.S.
Undergraduate Prerequisites: First Year Writing Seminar (e.g., WR 100 or WR 120) - The focus of this interdisciplinary course is on increasing the student's understanding of the health care system, the social, environmental, and behavioral factors that affect health care, and on increasing the student's ability to work in interdisciplinary teams. The student will actively engage in individual work, group discussion and teamwork through written, oral, and web site assignments. Effective Fall 2019, this course fulfills a single unit in the following BU Hub area: Writing-Intensive Course. (Credits: 4)
SAR HS331: Physiology of Sex and Human Reproduction
Undergraduate Prerequisites: CAS BI315 or BI211, or similar physiology course - In this course we will learn the physiological mechanisms behind fertility, gametogenesis, copulation, pregnancy and birth. We will explore the impacts of biological reproduction on the body and we will connect these topics to our everyday world. We utilize diverse perspectives and language in this class. Class time is split between active learning and lecture time. Grades are based on daily work, quizzes and presentations. (Credits: 4)
SAR HS341: Physiology Across the Lifespan
In this course we will explore physiological aspects of fetal development, birth, infancy, childhood, adolescence, adulthood and aging. Topics explored will include: bone and muscle development, physiology of common childhood diseases, the role of exercise and inactivity on bone, muscle and organ function, impact of stress across the lifespan, and the changes that occur during aging. (Credits: 4)
SAR HS342: Exercise Physiology
Undergraduate Prerequisites: (CASBI211 OR CASBI315) or consent of instructor. - What are the limits of human performance? Why can't we run 25 miles at the same speed we can sprint 40 yards? How do common diseases impact tolerance to physical activity? In exercise physiology we will discuss these questions and more, eventually uncovering principles that determine how our bodies respond to various forms of stress (like exercise). Through hands-on group experiments and collaborative projects in laboratory and lecture, we will also explore how scientists have come to these conclusions through the implementation of the scientific method in a research setting. Effective Fall 2019, this course fulfills a single unit in the following BU Hub areas: Scientific Inquiry II, Teamwork/Collaboration. (Credits: 4)
SAR HS362: Muscle Physiology
This course will explore the physiology of skeletal, smooth, and cardiac muscle. We'll cover topics including: skeletal muscle and motor neuron structure, the mechanics of skeletal muscle contractions, motor unit recruitment, energetics related to muscular contraction, anatomical and physiological differences between the three muscle types, muscle development across the lifespan, and pathological conditions related to muscle. (Credits: 4)
SAR HS370: Neuroanatomy and Neurophysiology
Undergraduate Prerequisites: (CASBI211 OR CASBI315) SAR HS369 recommended. - Lecture and laboratory related to the detailed study of development, morphology, internal configuration, and functions, and pathological deficits of the peripheral and central nervous system in humans. Spring semester only. (Credits: 4)
SAR HS371: Pulmonary Pathophysiology
How do humans breathe? How harmful are e-cigarettes to our body? What are the differences between an obstructive vs. a restrictive pulmonary disease? In Pulmonary Pathophysiology we will discuss these questions and more, developing an understanding of the physiological mechanisms underlying the function of the pulmonary system in health and disease. Through group discussion, active learning activities, and the creation of short films in small groups, we will take an in-depth look into the current understanding of pulmonary pathophysiology. Effective Spring 2021, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Digital/Multimedia Expression, Creativity/Innovation. (Credits: 4)
SAR HS375: Cardiovascular Pathophysiology
Undergraduate Prerequisites: (CASBI211 OR CASBI315) - Overview of anatomy and physiology of the cardiovascular systems during normal and pathological conditions. This course will also cover pathophysiology of exercise performance in cardiovascular diseases, as well as adaptations to physical conditioning. (Credits: 4)
SAR HS438: Pathophysiology in Marginalized Individuals
Structural racism. Misogyny. Transphobic legislation. What do these things have in common? Minority stress! We currently have an epidemic of chronic, noncommunicable, and infectious diseases plaguing women, people of color, and LGBTQIA2S individuals subject to excessive levels of psychosocial stress and structural violence. Through group discussions, clinically relevant case studies, and examinations of the most up to date literature, students in this course can expect to gain a thorough understanding of how psychosocial stress and structural inequity affect the human body, and how interventions from the community level to the individual level may alleviate this population-specific disease burden. (Credits: 4)
SAR HS452: Advanced Exercise Physiology
This upper-level course will provide an in-depth exploration of the physiological responses and adaptations to acute and chronic exercise. Building upon foundational knowledge, Advanced Exercise Physiology combines theoretical concepts with practical applications, emphasizing critical analysis of current research and hands-on laboratory experiences. Over the semester we’ll engage in discussions intended develop a comprehensive understanding of how exercise physiology is applied in real-world contexts. Topics covered include: exercise metabolism, cardiorespiratory adaptations, neuromuscular adaptations, environmental impacts, and fitness assessment. (Credits: 4)
SAR HS469: Seminar: Advanced Regional Anatomy
SEM ADV REG ANA (Credits: 2)
SAR HS549: Mechanisms of Disruption in Brain Disorders
BRAIN DISORDERS (Credits: 4)
SAR HS550: Neural Systems
Undergraduate Prerequisites: One or more courses in basic neuroscience. - Exploration of mechanisms of signal transduction, communication, and integration in the nervous system. The approach is multidisciplinary, drawing upon fundamental concepts of the neuroanatomy, neurochemistry, and physiology of the nervous system. Lectures focus on patterns of processing in unimodal sensory, polymodal, motor, and limbic cortices. Methods used to investigate the nervous system are described and illustrated to facilitate comprehension of the current literature. (Credits: 4)
SAR HS576: Clinical Measurements in Cardiology
CLINMSMT CARDIO (Credits: 4)
Note: You must have a GPA of 2.0 or higher to qualify for a minor in Human Physiology. You also must receive a grade of C or better in each course.