A.B. Health and Human Biology

The A.B. in Health and Human Biology at Brown University gives students opportunities to take their learning beyond the classroom through research, advanced seminars, and internships. A major part of the program is the Senior Capstone Activity, where students can undertake independent research with a faculty member, complete an advanced seminar, or combine an appropriate internship with faculty-mentored independent study. Students can also benefit from Brown's wider biology and biomedical research environment, including specialised teaching laboratories, research centres, and biomedical facilities:

• Senior Capstone: In their final year, students complete a capstone that allows them to apply their knowledge to an advanced project or area of interest. Options include independent research, an advanced seminar, or an appropriate internship combined with faculty-mentored independent study.

• Independent research with faculty: Students can work directly with a Brown faculty member on an independent research or study project related to their interests. Students working with faculty in the biomedical sciences can use courses such as BIOL 1950 or BIOL 1960 to develop their research experience.

• Internship experience: Students can incorporate an appropriate internship into their Senior Capstone when it includes a scholarly component and is combined with independent study under the guidance of a Brown faculty member. This provides a practical way to connect academic learning with real-world health-related experience.

• Small advanced seminars: Students can take advanced or graduate-level seminars with classes capped at 15 students. These courses provide opportunities for in-depth discussion, research-based assignments, papers, and projects.

• Health data and informatics: Courses such as BIOL 1555 Methods in Informatics and Data Science for Health introduce students to data-driven approaches that can be applied to health research and analysis.

• Undergraduate research: Brown's Biology program provides undergraduate students with opportunities to participate in direct research alongside faculty across a broad range of biological and health-related fields. Students can gain experience through research courses, independent studies, and faculty-led projects.

• Multidisciplinary Teaching Laboratories: Brown's Multidisciplinary Teaching Laboratories support practical learning in areas including molecular biology, microbiology, biochemistry, genetics, physiology, and bioinformatics. Some courses include semester-long research projects that give students experience similar to working in a research laboratory.

• Biomedical research environment: Students can benefit from Brown's network of research centres and institutes, including the Center for Biomedical Informatics, Center for Global Health Equity, Center for Computational Molecular Biology, Center for Translational Neuroscience, Carney Institute for Brain Science, Hassenfeld Child Health Innovation Institute, and Institute at Brown for Environment and Society.

• BioMed Core Facilities: Brown's biomedical core facilities provide access to advanced research technologies, specialised equipment, and technical expertise. Students involved in relevant research projects can gain experience within this wider biomedical research environment.

• Interdisciplinary health research: The program's connections with Brown's Biology and Medicine community allow students to explore health from several perspectives, including Global Health, Planetary Health, Mind, Brain and Behavior, and Social Determinants of Health.

The A.B. in Health and Human Biology at Brown University gives students the flexibility to move into healthcare, research, public health, life sciences, and other health-related careers. It is also a strong foundation for postgraduate study, with Brown reporting that nearly half of Health and Human Biology graduates pursue advanced degrees in health-related fields and around 20% continue into master's or PhD programs in the life sciences.

Typical career directions include: Public Health Professional, Research Assistant, Health Policy Analyst, Clinical Research Coordinator

• Career support at Brown: The Lizzie & Jonathan Tisch Center for Career Exploration provides career counselling, resume and interview support, employer events, alumni connections, and access to job and internship opportunities. Students can also use Brown's career platforms to explore opportunities and connect with employers.

• Health-career advising: Students interested in medicine and other healthcare professions can use Brown's dedicated Health Careers Advising service. Advisers help students explore healthcare pathways, gain relevant experience, prepare professional-school applications, develop application essays, and prepare for interviews.

• Graduate and professional outcomes: Brown reports that 96% of graduating seniors went directly into employment or graduate/professional school in 2021. Brown also reports that 25% of the Class of 2022 pursued graduate and professional studies, showing that further education is an important pathway for Brown graduates.

• Health-related progression: Nearly half of Health and Human Biology graduates pursue advanced degrees in health-related fields, while approximately 20% continue into master's and PhD programs in the life sciences. Students considering medicine can also use Brown's pre-health resources to build academic, clinical, research, and extracurricular experience.

• Internships and research: BrownConnect+ gives students access to internship and research opportunities, while Brown also provides funding for eligible experiential-learning opportunities. These experiences can help students build practical skills and strengthen their future applications.

• Employer and professional connections: Brown's Career Exploration Center connects students with employers, alumni, recruiting events, internships, and job opportunities. Students can also use alumni connections to learn more about particular industries and career paths.

• Salary information: Brown does not publish a specific average starting salary for Health and Human Biology A.B. graduates on its official program or career pages, so a program-specific salary figure should not be assumed.

• Long-term value: The degree's interdisciplinary structure gives students flexibility to combine biological science with humanities and social sciences. This broad preparation can support careers in health and public service as well as postgraduate study across life sciences, public health, social sciences, humanities, medicine, and other professional fields.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing the A.B., students can continue into medical school and other health-professional programs, or pursue master's and PhD programs in areas such as life sciences, biology, public health, health-related fields, social sciences, and humanities. Students interested in research can also continue into graduate-level study in biological and biomedical sciences, while Brown's Health Careers Advising service can support students preparing for medical and other professional-school applications.