Prepare for Clinical Lab Work or Medicine — or Work Toward Your Master's Degree
Our program is designed to open doors into the areas of clinical lab work and medicine. You'll be prepared to advance your education in graduate school or pursue medicine or dentistry.
The human biology program will give you an understanding of anatomy, physiology, genetics, immunology, biochemistry, microbiology, pathophysiology and biochemistry. Our combined 5-year physician assistant program allows you to earn both your bachelor’s and master’s degrees in just five years.
We also offer a bachelor of science degree in biology and a pre-physician assistant studies human biology major.
Required Courses for Your Major
General Cellular Biology Lecture/Lab
In this course, you will study of the basic principles of biology. Course topics will focus on cellular principles, metabolism, and genetics. The lab component will provide a hands-on investigation of topics discussed in the lecture.
General Microbiology Lecture
In this course, you will study the basic principles of microbiology. Topics covered will include the history of microbiology including classic experiments, microbial structure and function, nutrition, growth, control, metabolism, and genetics of microbes.
General Microbiology Lab
The lab component of General Microbiology will provide an introduction to microbiological techniques, as well as a hands-on investigation of bacterial anatomy and physiology, growth conditions, genetics, and basic biotechnology will be conducted.
Advanced Anatomy and Physiology I Lecture/Lab
In this course, you will cover the chemical organization, cellular organization and tissue organization of the body. You will learn the anatomy and physiology of the integumentary system, skeletal system, muscular system, nervous system, and endocrine system. You will gain an in-depth understanding of the physiology of osseous tissue, muscle contraction and nerve function and conduction, as well as familiarity with the anatomy of neural pathways and CNS regional specialization.
Advanced Anatomy and Physiology II Lecture/Lab
This course will cover the application of advanced anatomical and physiological concepts in a laboratory setting. Microscopic analysis of select tissues will be coupled with cadaver inspection, models, dissections, and laboratory exercises to develop your understanding of the body systems covered in Advanced Anatomy and Physiology I.
Immunology
In this course, you will study of the nature and theory of antigen-antibody interaction, mechanisms of immunity, principles and procedures of serodiagnosis.
Genetics Lecture/Lab
This course will provide an introduction to the basis of inheritance from molecular to organismal level with emphasis on the role of genetics in evolution and adaptation to the environment, as well as considerable human application. The lab component will provide a study of basic genetic principles with the aid of a variety of organisms and online lab exercises.
Biochemistry Lecture/Lab
This course will provide you with a discussion of the structure and function of proteins (and enzymes), lipids and carbohydrates. Energetics of biochemical reactions and enzyme kinetics will also be discussed. The lab component of this course will be an application of basic methods and techniques in biochemistry.
Pathophysiology
This course deals with the disruption of normal physiology with the alterations, derangements, and mechanisms involved in disruption and how they manifest themselves as signs, symptoms, physical and laboratory findings.
Statistics
In this course, you’ll collect and tabulate data, averages and measures of disbursement, correlation and regression analysis, probability and sampling, and hypothesis testing.
Scientific Methods
This course will familiarize you with the steps of the Scientific Method, proper experimental design and use of controls, and the basic format of scientific papers and presentations.
Scientific Literature
In this course, you will begin to develop critical thinking skills by observing and evaluating presentations by your peers. Primary literature will be discussed and presented, and as well as critical analyses of experimental designs in journal articles and as presented by students in other seminar courses.
Comprehensive Exam
Graduating seniors must take a comprehensive exam and achieve a minimum rank of 25 percentile.
Requirements for Graduation from College of Saint Mary
To earn your bachelor of science degree in human biology, you must complete 43 credit hours of general education, 38 credit hours of major courses, 31 credit hours of supporting field classes and 16 credit hours of electives.
The Assurance of Accreditation
The assurance of regional accreditation means that our degrees have been evaluated for their outcomes — including how well they prepare you to meet the needs of your employers, yourself and our global society. College of Saint Mary is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission.
Requirements for Admission to College of Saint Mary
-
High school transcript with GPA and class rank (unofficial transcripts may be reviewed for admissions purposes, but official transcripts are required before you start classes)
-
A minimum GPA of 2.0
-
ACT score of 18 or higher or SAT score of 860 – 890 (verbal + math) or higher
-
Personal interview (if applicable)
-
Transcripts from any post high school institutions for transfer students (students who have earned 12 or more credit hours with a minimum GPA of 2.0 from other institutions qualify as transfers)
-
$30 application fee
-
To begin the human biology program, you must meet the prerequisites for math 114, English 101 and chemistry 110 (by placement or past coursework.)
Academic Description
Prepare for Clinical Lab Work or Medicine — or Work Toward Your Master's Degree
Our program is designed to open doors into the areas of clinical lab work and medicine. You'll be prepared to advance your education in graduate school or pursue medicine or dentistry.
The human biology program will give you an understanding of anatomy, physiology, genetics, immunology, biochemistry, microbiology, pathophysiology and biochemistry. Our combined 5-year physician assistant program allows you to earn both your bachelor’s and master’s degrees in just five years.
We also offer a bachelor of science degree in biology and a pre-physician assistant studies human biology major.
Accreditation
The Assurance of Accreditation
The assurance of regional accreditation means that our degrees have been evaluated for their outcomes — including how well they prepare you to meet the needs of your employers, yourself and our global society. College of Saint Mary is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission.
Admissions Requirements
Requirements for Admission to College of Saint Mary
-
High school transcript with GPA and class rank (unofficial transcripts may be reviewed for admissions purposes, but official transcripts are required before you start classes)
-
A minimum GPA of 2.0
-
ACT score of 18 or higher or SAT score of 860 – 890 (verbal + math) or higher
-
Personal interview (if applicable)
-
Transcripts from any post high school institutions for transfer students (students who have earned 12 or more credit hours with a minimum GPA of 2.0 from other institutions qualify as transfers)
-
$30 application fee
-
To begin the human biology program, you must meet the prerequisites for math 114, English 101 and chemistry 110 (by placement or past coursework.)
Curriculum
Required Courses for Your Major
General Cellular Biology Lecture/Lab
In this course, you will study of the basic principles of biology. Course topics will focus on cellular principles, metabolism, and genetics. The lab component will provide a hands-on investigation of topics discussed in the lecture.
General Microbiology Lecture
In this course, you will study the basic principles of microbiology. Topics covered will include the history of microbiology including classic experiments, microbial structure and function, nutrition, growth, control, metabolism, and genetics of microbes.
General Microbiology Lab
The lab component of General Microbiology will provide an introduction to microbiological techniques, as well as a hands-on investigation of bacterial anatomy and physiology, growth conditions, genetics, and basic biotechnology will be conducted.
Advanced Anatomy and Physiology I Lecture/Lab
In this course, you will cover the chemical organization, cellular organization and tissue organization of the body. You will learn the anatomy and physiology of the integumentary system, skeletal system, muscular system, nervous system, and endocrine system. You will gain an in-depth understanding of the physiology of osseous tissue, muscle contraction and nerve function and conduction, as well as familiarity with the anatomy of neural pathways and CNS regional specialization.
Advanced Anatomy and Physiology II Lecture/Lab
This course will cover the application of advanced anatomical and physiological concepts in a laboratory setting. Microscopic analysis of select tissues will be coupled with cadaver inspection, models, dissections, and laboratory exercises to develop your understanding of the body systems covered in Advanced Anatomy and Physiology I.
Immunology
In this course, you will study of the nature and theory of antigen-antibody interaction, mechanisms of immunity, principles and procedures of serodiagnosis.
Genetics Lecture/Lab
This course will provide an introduction to the basis of inheritance from molecular to organismal level with emphasis on the role of genetics in evolution and adaptation to the environment, as well as considerable human application. The lab component will provide a study of basic genetic principles with the aid of a variety of organisms and online lab exercises.
Biochemistry Lecture/Lab
This course will provide you with a discussion of the structure and function of proteins (and enzymes), lipids and carbohydrates. Energetics of biochemical reactions and enzyme kinetics will also be discussed. The lab component of this course will be an application of basic methods and techniques in biochemistry.
Pathophysiology
This course deals with the disruption of normal physiology with the alterations, derangements, and mechanisms involved in disruption and how they manifest themselves as signs, symptoms, physical and laboratory findings.
Statistics
In this course, you’ll collect and tabulate data, averages and measures of disbursement, correlation and regression analysis, probability and sampling, and hypothesis testing.
Scientific Methods
This course will familiarize you with the steps of the Scientific Method, proper experimental design and use of controls, and the basic format of scientific papers and presentations.
Scientific Literature
In this course, you will begin to develop critical thinking skills by observing and evaluating presentations by your peers. Primary literature will be discussed and presented, and as well as critical analyses of experimental designs in journal articles and as presented by students in other seminar courses.
Comprehensive Exam
Graduating seniors must take a comprehensive exam and achieve a minimum rank of 25 percentile.
Degree Requirements
Requirements for Graduation from College of Saint Mary
To earn your bachelor of science degree in human biology, you must complete 43 credit hours of general education, 38 credit hours of major courses, 31 credit hours of supporting field classes and 16 credit hours of electives.
