Bachelor of Science in Integrated Human Biology

The innovative integrated human biology program is designed to connect concepts from physiology, anatomy, cell biology, biochemistry, and genetics, rather than separating the concepts into courses by discipline. This distinct approach allows students to achieve a unified understanding of the structure and function of the human body. The curriculum encourages both individual and collaborative learning and fosters the development of communication skills. The program emphasizes scientific process and research skills through inquiry-based labs and research-methods courses. Interested students also have an opportunity to work with a faculty mentor to complete an original research project. Students may also take elective coursework in psychology, nutrition, herbal sciences, and other disciplines that provide a broad perspective on human health.

The integrated human biology degree provides a firm foundation in biological science and fosters the development of critical thinking skills that are an excellent foundation for careers in medicine and research.

Expected Program Outcomes

  • Demonstrate understanding of the scientific process and describe how scientific knowledge is developed and supported.
  • Use mathematics and quantitative reasoning appropriately to describe or analyze natural phenomena.
  • Demonstrate understanding of basic physical principles and apply these principles to living systems.
  • Demonstrate understanding of basic principles of chemistry and apply these principles to living systems.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of how biological molecules contribute to the structure and function of cells.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the link between structure and function at all levels within a living organism: molecular, microscopic, and macroscopic.
  • Explain how internal environments are maintained in the face of changing external environments.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the theory of evolution by natural selection.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the biological basis for human behavior.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the connection between the human organism and the biosphere as a whole.
  • Communicate effectively within and between scientific disciplines and with nonscientists.

Admissions

Minimum Requirements

To be admitted to the Integrated Human Biology program at Bastyr University, transfer students must meet the following criteria:  

  • Complete 90 quarter (60 semester) credits from a regionally accredited college or university or its equivalent (only courses with a grade of C or higher are transferable).
  • Achieve a cumulative GPA of 2.5 and prerequisite GPA of 2.0.
  • Complete the General Education and major-based prerequisite courses. 

Undergraduate transfer students who complete one of the following transfer degrees will satisfy the general education requirements: 

  • Associate of Arts (AA) 
  • Associate of Science (AS) 
  • Direct Transfer Associate (DTA) [WA state] 
  • Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) [CA state] 
  • California State University Breadth [CA state] 
  • Associate Degree for Transfer [CA state] 

Note: Technical degrees, such as Applied Science degrees, will not automatically satisfy the general education requirements. They will be reviewed on a course-by-course basis. 

Major-Based Prerequisite Courses

General Cell Biology w/lab (for science majors)            
1 course
General Chemistry w/lab (for science majors)
2 courses
Precalculus
1 course

General Education Requirements

To see examples of general education courses, please see the General Admissions for Undergraduate students.

Arts and Humanities                                                         
5 courses
     English Literature and Composition
    2 courses
     Other Courses
    3 courses
Social and Behavioral Sciences 5 courses
     General Psychology     1 course
     Public Speaking
    1 course
     Other Courses
    3 courses
Natural Science and Mathematics 5 courses
     Major-Based Prerequisite Courses (see list)
    4 courses
     Other Course
    1 course
General Electives 3 courses or more
TOTAL 90 quarter/60 semester credits

Graduation Requirements

Upper-division Bachelor of Science students enrolled at Bastyr University must complete a minimum of 180 credits (inclusive of credits transferred into Bastyr). To graduate, Bachelor of Science students must have a minimum 2.0 GPA with a minimum of 45 credits in residence at Bastyr University

The curriculum tables that follow list the tentative schedule of courses each quarter. Next to each course is the number of credits per course.

Junior Year (Year I)

Fall

BC3123Organic Chemistry for Life Sciences Lecture/Lab

6

BC3139Human Biology Seminar

2

BC3148Research Methods in Human Biology 1 - Experimental Design

3

BC4116Bioethics

3

Total Credit Hours:14

 

Winter

BC3108Physics 1 Lecture/Lab

5

BC3144Integrated Biochemistry and Cell Biology

6

BC3149Research Methods in Human Biology 2 - Statistical Tools

3

Total Credit Hours:14

Spring

BC3109Physics 2 Lecture/Lab

5

BC3150Biophysics 1

1

BC3151Integrated Human Biology 1 Lecture/Lab

6

BC4119Introduction to Research Proposals

2

BC9133Biotechnology and Society

2

Total Credit Hours:16

Senior Year (Year II)

Fall

BC3152Integrated Human Biology 2 Lecture/Lab

6

BC4100Microbiology Lecture/Lab

4

BC4108Biophysics 2

1

General Electives

3

Programmatic Electives

2

Total Credit Hours:16

Winter

BC4135Biophysics 3

1

BC4153Integrated Human Biology 3 Lecture/Lab

6

BC4161Advanced Cell and Molecular Biology

4

Programmatic Electives

5

Total Credit Hours:16

Spring

BC9104Immunology

4

BC9108Pathophysiology

3

IS9115Intestinal Microbiota

3

Programmatic Electives

4

Total Credit Hours:14

Programmatic Electives

BC3113Living Anatomy

3

BC9105Laboratory Research Methods

2

BC9107Virology

3

BC9112Advanced Topics in Human Biology

1

BC9117Advanced Research Methods Lab

2

BC9119IHB Student Research

1-5

BC9130Special Topics in Human Biology

1-5

BC9134Biology of Receptors

3

BC9801Internship

1-5

Courses from other departments that can be taken as programmatic electives will be announced by the program director each quarter.

Total Requirements: Bachelor of Science in Integrated Human Biology

Total Core Course Credits   76 
Total General Elective Credits    3 
Total Programmatic Elective Credits   11
Total Requirements                                                     90 

Curriculum and course changes in the 2022-2023 Bastyr University Catalog are applicable to students entering during the 2022-2023 academic year. Please refer to the appropriate catalog if interested in curriculum and courses required for any other entering year.