Bachelor of Science in Human Biology, Health + Society

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Cornell University

Program Overview

The B.S. in Human Biology, Health + Society at Cornell University combines biological sciences with behavioral, social, nutritional, environmental, and public-policy perspectives to help students understand the factors that shape human health and well-being. It suits students interested in health-related careers and advanced professional study, with coursework spanning human biology, nutrition, physiology, biochemistry, public health, health policy, and social sciences.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students build a foundation in human health through NS 1400 Introduction to Human Biology, Health and Society, which introduces biological, behavioral, environmental, and public-policy approaches to health, alongside NS 1150 Nutrition, Health, and Society or NS 1220 Nutrition and the Life Cycle. The first year also introduces core biology and chemistry through courses such as BIOMG 1350 Introductory Biology: Cell and Developmental Biology and CHEM 2070 General Chemistry I, together with Cornell's first-year writing and Human Ecology coursework.

Year 2: Students strengthen their scientific foundation through subjects such as CHEM 2080 General Chemistry II, CHEM 3570 Organic Chemistry for the Life Sciences I, and NS 3410 Human Anatomy and Physiology. They also begin exploring health from social and natural-science perspectives, developing an integrated understanding of how biological processes interact with social and behavioral influences on health.

Year 3: Coursework moves toward more advanced health and life-science topics, including BIOMG 3310 Principles of Biochemistry: Proteins and Metabolism, NS 3060 Nutrition and Global Health, and NS 3150 Obesity and the Regulation of Body Weight. Students can also select advanced biology electives in areas such as genetics, microbiology, neurobiology, cell biology, physiology, biochemistry, and nutrition.

Year 4: Students deepen their chosen interests through advanced health, nutrition, biology, statistics, and Human Ecology coursework, with options such as NS 4200 Diet and the Microbiome, NS 4210 Precision Nutrition and Health, and NS 4500 Public Health Nutrition. The final stage brings together biological and social perspectives on health while completing the remaining major, Human Ecology, elective, and university requirements for the 120-credit degree.

Focus Areas: Human biology, health and society, nutrition, public health, physiology, biochemistry, genetics, microbiology, neurobiology, cell biology, health policy, health promotion, social science, health equity, and human well-being.

Learning Outcomes: Integrate biological, behavioral, environmental, and economic perspectives on human health; evaluate disease prevention and health-promotion approaches; understand pathogenic mechanisms and their implications for disease; analyze social and environmental influences on health; communicate scientific and health concepts effectively; develop critical-thinking and collaborative skills.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation): Cornell's official program information does not state a separate professional accreditation specifically for the B.S. in Human Biology, Health + Society; the degree is offered through Cornell's Division of Nutritional Sciences in the College of Human Ecology.

Reputation (Employability Rankings): Cornell's official Human Ecology career-outcomes information reports that HBHS graduates progress into employment and advanced professional education, with alumni careers including Clinical Research Analyst at Northwell Health, Research Fellow at the National Cancer Institute, Research Analyst in health-care policy, Physician at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Nutritionist, and Physical Therapist. Cornell's official program page does not state a separate QS or Guardian employability ranking specifically for the HBHS degree, so no program-specific ranking is added here.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The B.S. in Human Biology, Health + Society gives students hands-on experience through laboratory-based biology and chemistry courses, interdisciplinary health study, research, internships, and opportunities to study away. Students can build practical skills in experimental science while connecting human biology with behavioral, social, nutritional, and public-health perspectives.

Laboratory Experience: Students complete BIOG 1500 Investigative Biology Laboratory or BIOSM 1500 Investigative Marine Biology Laboratory, followed by laboratory-based chemistry work such as CHEM 2071 General Chemistry I Laboratory, CHEM 2081 General Chemistry II Laboratory, and CHEM 2510 Introduction to Experimental Organic Chemistry or CHEM 3010 Honors Experimental Chemistry.
Research Opportunities: Students can develop and analyze research questions as members of faculty research teams or through independent research projects, providing direct exposure to the research process. Cornell's Division of Nutritional Sciences also maintains specialized research facilities supporting human metabolism, nutrition, clinical chemistry, dietetics, reproductive physiology, and human-performance research.
Internships & Professional Experience: Cornell's HBHS program lists internship experiences including placements with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Results for Development, Crouse Hospital, Weill Cornell Medical Center, Mount Sinai Hospital, and the International Socioeconomics Lab.
Applied Health Projects: Students can apply classroom learning to real health and community issues; for example, a Cornell HBHS student worked with the Berkeley Free Clinic to investigate barriers to tuberculosis care, using a patient survey and contributing findings toward collaboration with the Alameda County Public Health Department.
Study Away & Field Experience: Students can pursue Cornell-sponsored study abroad and off-campus opportunities, including Cornell in Washington and the Capital Semester in Albany, providing exposure to health, policy, research, and professional environments beyond the Ithaca campus.
Specialized Research Facilities: The Human Metabolic Research Unit is a 3,830-square-foot facility supporting research involving human metabolism, dietetics, reproductive physiology, clinical chemistry, human performance, body composition, and bone mass.
Laboratory Tools & Equipment: The Human Nutritional Chemistry Service Laboratory includes a Siemens Immulite 2000 automated immunoassay system, Siemens Dimension Xpand Chemistry Analyzer, Biotek Synergy 2 microplate reader, Biotek Precision XS Robotic System, Biotek ELx50 magnetic microplate washer, Beckman-Coulter AcT Diff 2 coulter counter, centrifuges, biosafety cabinets, and ultra-low-temperature freezers.
Interdisciplinary Learning: The program combines biological sciences with social and behavioral sciences, nutritional sciences, health policy, psychology, sociology, and related fields, allowing students to investigate health from multiple perspectives rather than studying human biology in isolation.
Course-Based Digital & Analytical Learning: The curriculum includes BIOMG 3340 Computer Graphics and Molecular Biology, giving students an opportunity to connect molecular biology with computer-based visualization and analysis.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The B.S. in Human Biology, Health + Society combines human biology with behavioral, social, economic and policy perspectives on health, preparing graduates for roles across healthcare, research, public health, education and business. Cornell reports that many HBHS graduates continue into advanced professional study in medicine, dentistry, health administration, nutrition, physical therapy and other health fields, while others enter employment directly.

Typical Job Roles: Clinical Research Analyst, Research Analyst, Health Program Coordinator, Nutritionist.

Career Support & Employment:

Career Exploration: Cornell Human Ecology's career resources support students in exploring career options, connecting with employers and developing pathways toward employment or further study.
Research Opportunities: Students can participate in faculty research teams or independent research projects, with Cornell's Career Network documenting HBHS students gaining undergraduate research experience in biomedical laboratories.
Internships & Practical Experience: Official HBHS examples include internships and experiences with the CDC, Results for Development, Crouse Hospital, Weill Cornell Medical Center and Mount Sinai Hospital.
Pre-Health Support: Cornell's pre-health community provides advising, alumni networking, mentoring and service opportunities for students preparing for health careers.
Employment Outcomes: 85% of the Cornell College of Human Ecology Class of 2024 were employed or in graduate school within six months of graduation; 52% were employed across sectors including human healthcare services, education, consulting, retail and government, while 33% continued their education.
Employer Connections: Recent Human Ecology graduates have joined organizations including Brigham and Women's Hospital, Epic Systems, IQVIA, Mount Sinai Health System and the National Institutes of Health.
Career Examples: Cornell lists HBHS alumni working as Clinical Research Analysts at Northwell Health, Implementation Project Managers at Epic, Program Coordinators at Mount Sinai Health System and Research Fellows at the National Cancer Institute.
Salary Figures: Cornell's official HBHS and Human Ecology career-outcomes pages provide employment outcomes and examples of employers and roles but do not publish a specific salary range or median salary for HBHS graduates; therefore, no unsupported salary figure is provided.
University–Industry Connections: Cornell's documented employer network includes healthcare, life-sciences and professional organizations such as Mount Sinai Health System, IQVIA, Epic Systems and the National Institutes of Health, providing examples of destinations for Human Ecology graduates.
Long-Term Accreditation Value: Cornell's official HBHS program information does not identify a separate professional accreditation specifically for this bachelor's degree, so no additional program-specific accreditation claim is made.
Graduation Outcomes: HBHS graduates have progressed to medical schools including Cornell, Yale, Baylor, Vanderbilt, Mount Sinai and Albert Einstein, as well as Harvard and Columbia dental schools. Cornell also provides a five-year BS/MHA pathway through the Brooks School of Public Policy's Sloan Program in Health Administration.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the B.S., students can pursue medical, dental, physical therapy, nutrition, health administration, nursing, public health or other graduate and professional programs. Cornell specifically notes that HBHS graduates have entered medical and dental schools and can apply to the five-year BS/MHA pathway, while the program's broad biological and social-health foundation also supports further study in related health and life-science disciplines.