COURSE CURRICULUM

The Bachelor’s in Human Biology at the University at Albany is designed to provide students with a deep and comprehensive understanding of the human organism, both as an individual system and as part of larger populations. The program emphasizes an interdisciplinary approach, combining biology, chemistry, physics, statistics, and anthropology to explore the biological and evolutionary factors that shape human life. Students study why humans have developed their particular biological characteristics by examining topics such as genetics, evolution, adaptation, and environmental influences. A strong focus is also placed on health and illness, including how nutrition, disease, ecology, and environmental conditions have impacted human development over time. The required coursework includes foundational sciences such as General Biology (covering molecular biology, genetics, ecology, and evolution), Introduction to Biological Investigations, General Chemistry with laboratory work, General Physics, and statistics. Students also take specialized human-focused courses including Introduction to Human Evolution, Human Population Biology, Human Anatomy and Physiology I and II, and courses in human genetics, growth and development, or broader human biology topics. In addition, students complete a minimum of 13 elective credits to further tailor their academic experience. The program also emphasizes applied learning by allowing students to work with faculty researchers on topics such as prehistoric human populations, environmental effects on human evolution, urban environmental impacts on biology, and the effects of pollutants like lead on child development. Overall, the program prepares students for advanced study and careers in health, medicine, public health, and research by providing strong scientific training and a population-based understanding of human biology.