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 Education Requirements

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

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