Human Biology (Applied Physiology, Biomedical Science, Health and Disease, Human Biology, & Human Performance tracks in the BS degree and the Human Physiology & Metabolism and Human Performance tracks in the BA degree):

1. Scientific knowledge

· Overarching Program Goal: To develop a deeper understanding of the central and cross-disciplinary concepts of human evolutionary biology

• Identify, locate, and describe the structure/function of cells, their subcellular components, tissues, organs, and organ systems of the human body
• Apply cross-disciplinary scientific principles to explain how humans operate and evolve
• Independently and collaboratively apply scientific knowledge as well as analytical and experimental skills to produce integrative original wo

2. Analytical and Experimental Skills

· Overarching Program goal: To foster students’ independent and collaborative work, which entails identifying, exploring, assessing and solving both conceptual and real-world problems through the application of the scientific method, basic scientific principles and methodologies

• Compile, analyze, synthesize and criticize primary articles. Use discipline-related criteria to identify which opinions can be accepted, rejected or need further study.
• Formulate testable hypotheses, design and conduct experiments, present interpretations of results and articulate reasoned conclusions to solve real-world and conceptual problems
• Safely and properly use scientific equipment, biological systems and specimen, software, databases, statistical, mathematical and computational tests.

3. Science & Society

· Overarching Program Goal: To place biological knowledge into an ethical context and apply biological principles to the resolution of ethical, sociocultural, and environmental issues

• Use relevant sources of scientific evidence to construct a well-supported, logical argument, explain it to others, and apply it for the resolution of ethical, sociocultural, and environmental issues.
• Discuss and analyze the interplay and relative influence of biology and social context on aspects of human variation and health.

Human Biology (Human Evolutionary Biology track in the BS & BA degrees):

• To obtain a core knowledge base in human evolution including a mastery of theoretical and empirical approaches in evolutionary biology, biological anthropology, paleontology, functional morphology, comparative primate behavioral ecology, population genetics, and modern human variation and adaptation.
• To demonstrate understanding of ecological and evolutionary processes including the role of genetic variation, heredity, and natural selection as well as the implications these processes have for the origins and evolution of modern humans and their biology.
• To understand and apply the scientific method and develop critical thinking skills from an evolutionary framework along with the ability to apply knowledge to new information and data, as well as the capacity to effectively communicate the principles of evolution and its application to human biology.

Ethics & Society (All tracks):

• To place biological knowledge into an ethical context, especially how biology can contribute to the resolution of ethical, social, and environmental issues.
• To provide sufficient depth of knowledge and skill for entry-level employment in a wide variety of fields, or for graduate study in the health professions or other biology-related disciplines.