BS in Human Biology

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Indiana University Bloomington

Program Overview

The B.S. in Human Biology at Indiana University Bloomington takes human biology to the sub-cellular and molecular level while connecting biological and biochemical mechanisms with broader perspectives on the human condition. It suits students interested in graduate or professional health education, life-science careers, or interdisciplinary study, with flexible coursework that allows students to develop an area of concentration around their interests.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students begin developing the scientific and interdisciplinary foundation of the degree through the Human Biology core sequence and supporting science coursework. The HUBI-B 200: The Intricate Human course introduces genetics, metabolism, physiology, behavior, culture, and environmental context through case-based study and an emphasis on scientific literacy and the scientific method.

Year 2: Students progress through the next stage of the Human Biology core while expanding their understanding of human biology through courses selected from relevant scientific and interdisciplinary areas. The core is deliberately co-taught across life sciences and social sciences or humanities, helping students connect biological questions with wider human and societal contexts.

Year 3: Students move into more advanced Human Biology study and begin building greater depth within their chosen area of concentration. Depending on their interests, the program allows students to incorporate upper-level courses and laboratory or research experiences, including opportunities such as HUBI-B 490 Undergraduate Research in Human Biology.

Year 4: Students complete the upper-level Human Biology core and senior-level work while bringing together their scientific and interdisciplinary learning. The program's structure supports preparation for graduate or professional education and can also provide a foundation for careers in the life-science industries.

Focus areas: Human biology, sub-cellular and molecular biology, biological and biochemical mechanisms, health sciences, life sciences, interdisciplinary human studies, and student-selected areas of concentration.

Learning outcomes: Scientific knowledge, scientific literacy, quantitative reasoning, interdisciplinary problem-solving, ethical understanding, case-based analysis, and the ability to connect biological knowledge with social and human contexts.

Professional alignment (accreditation): The Human Biology B.S. is offered through the IU Bloomington College of Arts and Sciences. Indiana University Bloomington holds institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC); no separate specialized accreditation is stated for the Human Biology B.S. on the university's official accreditation information.

Reputation (employability rankings): Indiana University Bloomington publishes institutional rankings and statistics, but its official rankings page does not state a program-specific employability ranking for the Human Biology B.S.; therefore, a specific QS, Guardian, or other employability ranking for this degree is not stated by the university.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The B.S. in Human Biology at Indiana University Bloomington gives students opportunities to connect scientific study with hands-on research, fieldwork, internships and teaching. Because Human Biology is interdisciplinary, students can pursue research across human biology, molecular biology, genomics, animal behavior and environmental biology, using IU’s specialized research facilities and working alongside faculty and peers. The program also provides access to major research centers and field-based resources, allowing students to develop practical skills beyond the classroom.

Students can build practical experience through:

Undergraduate Research: Students can participate in research during the academic year or summer, both on campus and through external programs, and can publish their findings in the IU Journal of Undergraduate Research.
Research Facilities: Human Biology students can access the Indiana Molecular Biology Institute, Biocomplexity Institute, Center for the Integrative Study of Animal Behavior (CISAB), and Center for Genomics and Bioinformatics for research activities.
Genomics & Bioinformatics: The Center for Genomics and Bioinformatics provides access to genome technologies and bioinformatics support, giving students exposure to computational and genomic research resources.
Microscopy & Imaging: IU’s Light Microscopy Imaging Center provides access to advanced light microscopy, while the Electron Microscopy Center supports imaging and nanoscale analysis.
Flow Cytometry: The Flow Cytometry Core Facility provides flow-cytometry analysis and cell-sorting capabilities for biological research.
Field Research: Students interested in ecology, environmental issues and human-environment relationships can conduct field research at the IU Research and Teaching Preserve, a forested research and teaching site adjacent to campus.
Internships: Biology internships are offered every semester and during the summer; eligible students can earn 1 academic credit for every 50 hours of internship work.
Career-Focused Internships: IU Biology students have completed internships with organizations including WonderLab Museum of Science, Health and Technology and other local and professional organizations.
Teaching Experience: Human Biology students can become Undergraduate Teaching Assistants (UTAs) for Human Biology core courses, gaining experience in tutoring peers, assisting faculty and grading coursework.
Biological Research Infrastructure: IU Biology provides access to specialized resources including the Bloomington Drosophila Stock Center, Biological Research Collections, Mass Spectrometry Facility, Physical Biochemistry Instrumentation Facility, and Research Technologies for computational research, analytics, software, data services and training.
Sciences Library: The Sciences Library is part of the Department of Biology's academic and research resources and supports students working across the biological sciences.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The B.S. in Human Biology at Indiana University Bloomington gives students a strong scientific foundation that extends from human biology to sub-cellular and molecular processes, while allowing focused study through areas of concentration. Graduates can use this preparation for life-science careers, research, healthcare-related pathways, or further professional and graduate education.

Career roles: Research Assistant, Biological Laboratory Technician, Healthcare Professional, Life-Science Industry Associate. IU Biology also reports graduates entering healthcare, industry, education and research-related careers.
Career services: IU Bloomington provides career coaches, school-specific career centers, resume and interview support, employer connections, career fairs and internship assistance. Students can also use Handshake to access student and graduate job opportunities, internships and career-coaching appointments.
Internship opportunities: IU Biology offers undergraduate Biology internships (BIOL-X473) every semester and during summer, allowing students to gain career-oriented experience; opportunities can include pharmaceutical companies, environmental organizations, healthcare settings and science museums.
Research opportunities: Human Biology students can undertake HUBI-X 498: Undergraduate Research in Human Biology, which introduces research methods and scientific investigation and requires students to document and present their research work.
Employment statistics: IU provides a Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes dashboard with employment and earnings data by IU degree program, campus and field of study, using U.S. Census Bureau data. A Human Biology-specific salary figure is not stated on the official program page, so no unsupported salary number is provided here.
Graduate outcomes: IU Biology reports that two-thirds of its graduates obtain employment directly after college, while many graduates are admitted to medical school, dental school and graduate programs. This statistic is reported for the Department of Biology overall rather than specifically for the Human Biology B.S.
Industry connections: IU Biology identifies employers and organizations where its graduates have worked, including Bunge North America, Deloitte Consulting, General Motors, Oracle, PepsiCo, Ernst & Young and other organizations. These are documented graduate-employer examples rather than a claim of formal partnerships with the Human Biology program.
Professional development: Students can combine internships with research, seminars and peer-instruction opportunities; HUBI-X 371: Peer Instruction in Human Biology provides supervised teaching and mentoring experience.
Accreditation value: Indiana University Bloomington is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). IU states that accreditation supports recognition and transferability of education and requires ongoing standards for academic quality and continuous improvement.
Graduation outcomes: The B.S. is particularly suited to students planning graduate or professional education in areas such as medicine, dentistry, optometry and allied health, as well as students interested in life-science industries or original research.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the B.S. in Human Biology, students can continue into medical, dental, optometry, allied-health, graduate research, biotechnology or other professional programs, depending on their selected concentration and prerequisite coursework. The degree's scientific and research preparation also supports progression into advanced study in human biology and related life-science disciplines.