Human Biology (BS)

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Southern California

Program Overview

The Human Biology, B.S. at the University of Southern California is designed for students who want an in-depth understanding of the human organism through anatomy, physiology, metabolism, neurobiology, genetics, behavior, and evolution, with BS tracks including Applied Physiology, Biomedical Sciences, Health and Disease, and Human Evolutionary Biology. It suits students interested in human health, biomedical science, research, and health-related professions, while providing hands-on laboratory experiences, research opportunities, and exposure to real-world applications of human biology.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students establish their scientific foundation through BISC 120L/121L – General Biology: Organismal Biology and Evolution, CHEM 105aL/115aL – General Chemistry, mathematics, writing, and HBIO 120 – Introduction to Human and Evolutionary Biology. The first year introduces students to biological principles and the human biology discipline while also building quantitative, communication, and laboratory skills.

Year 2: The curriculum progresses into BISC 220L/221L – General Biology: Cell Biology and Physiology, CHEM 105bL/115bL – General Chemistry, PHYS 135aL – Physics for the Life Sciences, and the beginning of HBIO electives. Students deepen their understanding of cellular processes, physiology, chemistry, and physical principles relevant to human biology while beginning to shape their academic interests through electives.

Year 3: Students move toward advanced Human Biology study through HBIO Track Electives and HBIO Electives, alongside WRIT 340 and further general education coursework. This stage allows students to develop greater depth in their selected area while strengthening scientific communication and analytical abilities.

Year 4: The final year concentrates on advanced HBIO Track and HBIO Elective courses, allowing students to complete their chosen specialization within the BS. Depending on their interests, students can pursue areas such as Applied Physiology, Biomedical Science, Health and Disease, or Human Evolutionary Biology, preparing them for health-related careers, research, or further professional study.

Focus areas

Applied Physiology, Biomedical Sciences, Health and Disease, Human Evolutionary Biology, anatomy, physiology, metabolism, neurobiology, genetics, behavior, and human evolution.

Learning outcomes

Understanding and interpreting the human organism, conducting biological research, communicating research findings, evaluating contributions to Human Biology knowledge, and applying research data within an evolutionary context.

Professional alignment (accreditation)

WSCUC accreditation: USC has been continuously accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) since 1949, with accreditation reaffirmed in 2021. USC states that this accreditation validates the quality and integrity of its academic programs and supports student learning and success.

Reputation (employability rankings)

USC reputation: USC does not state a Human Biology-specific employability ranking on its official program pages. The university does, however, identify USC as a major private research university with extensive interdisciplinary research and professional-school connections, while its official accreditation materials describe USC as a leading research university.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The Human Biology, BS at USC gives students hands-on exposure to human anatomy, physiology, metabolism, neurobiology, genetics, behavior, and human evolution. The program emphasizes learner-centered laboratory experiences, using current web and computer technology, while USC’s Human and Evolutionary Biology section provides access to an extensive collection of human-ancestor fossil replicas and primate skeletons for studying human origins. Students can also apply classroom knowledge through faculty-supervised research, laboratory work, and real research projects across Human and Evolutionary Biology.

Students can build practical experience through several program-specific opportunities:

Hands-on laboratories: Human Biology students receive state-of-the-art laboratory experiences designed around hands-on learning and the use of current web and computer technology.
Human anatomy resources: The program provides an extensive fossil replica collection of human ancestors and primate skeletons, giving students physical resources for examining human evolution and primate relationships.
Directed research: Juniors and seniors can enroll in BISC-490 Directed Research, working with a USC faculty sponsor on an individual research project. A four-unit project involves approximately 12–16 hours of laboratory work per week.
Faculty research laboratories: Human and Evolutionary Biology faculty offer undergraduate research in areas including food intake and body-weight regulation, blood-glucose regulation in Type 1 diabetes, movement control, exercise performance, and human and primate behavioral ecology.
Research fellowship: The Milligan Fellowship provides selected Human Biology majors with a $3,000 stipend for a summer research project lasting at least 10 weeks and supervised by a USC faculty member.
Laboratory research network: USC Biological Sciences reports that approximately 100 undergraduates participate in research each year, with opportunities involving faculty at the Keck School of Medicine, University Park Campus, and the USC Wrigley Institute on Catalina Island.
Research presentation: Students can take part in USC Dornsife's Undergraduate Symposium for Scholarly and Creative Work, presenting original research and creative work to students and experts.
Study-abroad experience: The Human and Evolutionary Biology program specifically identifies international experience through study-abroad programs as part of its undergraduate opportunities.
Laboratory coursework: Students can take HBIO 491 – Laboratory Experience in Kinesiology, alongside practical subjects such as Human Anatomy, Muscle Physiology, Physiology of Movement, Applied Human Physiology, and Biomechanics.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The Human Biology, BS at USC gives students a strong foundation in anatomy, physiology, metabolism, neurobiology, genetics and human behavior, while allowing them to specialize through tracks such as Biomedical Sciences, Health & Disease, Applied Physiology, and Human & Evolutionary Biology. The degree is particularly suited to students planning careers in healthcare, research and other biology-related fields, with USC graduates progressing to medical, dental, physical therapy, pharmacy and other advanced professional programs.

Typical job roles: Research Assistant, Clinical Research Coordinator, Laboratory Technician, Health Program Coordinator

Career services: USC Dornsife Career Pathways connects students with academic advisors, career counselors, faculty and alumni, while the Gateway Internship Program provides paid summer internships with professional mentorship. The USC Career Center also provides Handshake, career events, internship and full-time job opportunities, mock interviews and salary/offer negotiation resources.
Pre-health support: Students interested in medicine and other health professions can use Pre-Health Advisement, which assists with prerequisite planning, clinical and research opportunities, workshops, graduate-school applications, personal statement review, standardized-test preparation and the Dornsife/Keck Shadowing Program.
Employment statistics and salary: USC's undergraduate First Destination system reports outcomes six months after graduation, including employment, continuing education and other postgraduate activities, and provides salary information for employed graduates. USC states that salary figures are self-reported by fully employed U.S.-based undergraduate graduates and exclude bonuses and other compensation; a Human Biology-specific salary figure is not stated on the official program sources.
University–industry connections: USC Career Center reports partnerships with more than 5,000 organizations that recruit USC students for full-time talent. For Human Biology students, the department also provides direct clinical and research connections through the USC Dornsife/Keck Student Shadowing Program and faculty-funded research laboratories, giving students experience alongside physicians and researchers.
Research opportunities: Human Biology students can pursue BISC-490 Directed Research, volunteer in funded HEB laboratories, or apply for the Milligan Fellowship, which provides a $3,000 stipend for qualifying undergraduate summer research projects. Research areas include nutrition, diabetes, exercise performance, movement control and human behavior.
Accreditation value: USC has been continuously accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) since 1949, with its accreditation reaffirmed in 2021. USC states that WSCUC accreditation evaluates the quality and integrity of its academic programs, student learning, student success and institutional effectiveness, with the next comprehensive review beginning in fall 2030.
Graduation outcomes: Recent USC Human Biology graduates have progressed to institutions including Weill Cornell Medicine, UCSF School of Medicine, Stanford School of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine and USC Keck School of Medicine, while others have continued into master's and research programs. USC also highlights graduates pursuing careers and further study in medicine, dentistry, nutrition, scientific research and population health.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the BS, students can pursue professional programs such as MD, DO, dentistry, pharmacy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, physician assistant, optometry, veterinary medicine and nursing through USC's pre-health pathways. Students interested in research can also progress to master's or PhD-level study in biology, biomedical and health-related disciplines; USC's Human Biology alumni include graduates who continued into programs such as an MS in Epidemiology & Clinical Research and an MS in Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine before progressing to medical or PhD study.