Human Biology

Human Biology is an interdisciplinary program that offers a strong foundation in biological sciences, within the context of one of four Themes. Themes include: Health and Disease; Race and Gender; Brain and Behavior; Ecosystems, Evolution and Environment.

A.B. Program:

• Required courses:

1. MATH 0090; CHEM 0330; BIOL 0200 (or equivalents).
2. Methods: One course in statistics or methods. Examples: PSYC 0090 (COGS 0090); SOC 1100; APMA 0650; 1650; PHP 2030, 2120, 2130; EDUC 1110; others with advisor's approval.
3. Biology: Five courses including:
• Genetics, which can be fulfilled in the following ways:


• BIOL 0470 (Genetics)
• or
• BIOL 0480 (Evolutionary Biology) PLUS either 0500 (Cell & Molecular Biology)
• or
• BIOL 0510 (Introductory Microbiology)


• NOTE: These options involve TWO courses both of which would therefore count as part of the biology course portion of the program. Also, BIOL 0480 will count as the organismal/population biology course that is required, if desired.
• One course in structure, development, and physiology such as BIOL 0300; Biol 0310; 0320; 0400; 0440; 0800; 1310; 1880; NEUR 0010.
• One course in organismal/population biology such as BIOL 0390; 0400; 0410; 0420; 0430; 0450; 0460; 0480; (ENVS 0490); 1410; 1880.
• Two biology (BIOL or NEUR) courses that relate to and support the chosen theme (see below); at least one of these at the advanced level.
4. Theme: Concentrators must also choose one of the following four Themes (a-d) and take four additional courses, usually chosen from outside BioMed, that form an approved, cohesive grouping.
• Human Health and Disease: These courses, which must form a cohesive grouping, are usually chosen from these Depts: ANTH, PHP, PSYC, COGS, EDUC, SOC, HIST.


• Examples of these subthemes may form the basis for choosing your group of theme courses:


• Health Behavior
• Health Education
• Health Systems Structure and Policy
• Culture and Health
• International Health
• Women's/Children's Health


• Race and Gender: Biology courses focusing on gender, evolution and comparative biology: AFRI, AMCV, ANTH, PHP, BIOL, COGS, EDUC, HIST, POBS, PSYC, SOC, and UNIV courses concerned with issues of culture, gender, history, and race.
• Examples of these subthemes may form the basis for this:


• Individual development of racial, ethnic identity in the U.S. or elsewhere in the world
• Race and gender in comparative cultures
• Race and gender in specific physiological formations
• Gender expression in specific racial or ethnic populations in the U.S. or elsewhere in the world


• Brain and Behavior: Biology courses dealing with behavioral ecology; appropriate courses in anthropology (e.g., ANTH 0200) and cognitive and linguistic sciences; PSYC courses (physiologic, developmental, social and experimental); NEUR courses (one or two maximum, with approval).


• Ecosystems, Evolution and Evironment: BIOL, COGS, and ANTH courses in comparative biology, development and evolution; PSYC courses dealing with animal behavior and communication; and ENVS courses concerning the interrelationships between humans and the environment; GEOL courses. also see: http://www.brown.edu/Research/ECI/courses/


• NOTE:
• At least three of the four theme courses must be outside of biology or neuroscience (exception may apply to Brain and Behavior theme).
• At least one of these theme courses must be at the advanced level.
• Courses to be included must represent a coherent grouping within the theme, not a random assortment, and is subject to the advisor's approval.


5. Senior Capstone Activity: May be fulfilled by an independent activity such as Directed Research Project (BIOL 1950/1960), or an approved advanced course or seminar; or an internship in an area relating to the program's theme. The appropriate activity will be developed or selected with consultation and approval of the concentration advisor. Honors in Human Biology is based on thesis and presentation pursuant to Directed Research.


• Note: the inclusion of independent study courses (such as BIOL 1950/1960) within this program, and their fulfillment of the advanced level course requirements is subject to approval by the advisor.

Sc.B. Program:

• Same as the AB program with the following additions:

1. CHEM 0350
2. A sixth advanced biology elective
3. A fifth advanced Theme course
4. Capstone must be a research project (BIOL 1950/1960) or in an approved department

• Sample Capstones in Human Biology may be found at: http://bms.brown.edu/bug/hb_capstones.html

Concentration advisors:

• Overseeing all Programs and initial consults: Marjorie Thompson
• Human Health and Disease— Lundy Braun, 3-3308; Sharon Swartz, 3-1582; Marjorie Thompson, 3-3133; Peter Heywood, 3-3415; Wayne Bowen, 3-3253 (through Class of 2009); Peter Shank, 3-2765; Andrew Campbell, 3-2532; Thais Mather, 3-9775.
• Race and Gender—Anne Fausto-Sterling, 3-2109.
• Brain and Behavior—Robert Patrick, 3-2630; Wayne Bowen, 3-3253 (through Class of 2009).
• Ecosystems, Evolution and Environment—Marjorie Thompson, 3-3133.

Page last updated in February, 2008.

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