HUMAN BIOLOGY

Interdisciplinary Major or Minor - www.uwgb.edu/humbio

OVERVIEW OF THE HUMAN BIOLOGY PROGRAM:

Human Biology focuses on the biological, physiological, nutritional, developmental, and evolutionary aspects of the human organism. Core courses emphasize human physiology, genetics, nutrition, and evolution.

Human Biology majors must complete an area of emphasis. Emphases include:

General Human Biology, the emphasis with the broadest course selection, is appropriate for those students seeking sales or laboratory research positions.
Health Science provides preparation for professional programs in the health sciences and graduate programs in the biological or medical sciences.
Exercise Science, offers students broad training in anatomy, physiology with a focus on biomechanics and nutrition.
Cytotechnology, offered in affiliation with three schools of cytotechnology: UW-Madison, Marshfield Clinic or Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. Cytotechnology is the microscopic study of human cells primarily for the detection of pre-cancerous or cancerous conditions. This emphasis leads to professional certification as a registered Cytotechnologist.
Nutritional Sciences/Dietetics, in which students study the biological and physical aspects of nutrition. Students who successfully complete this program may apply for entry into a post-baccalaureate dietetic practice program, which is required to become a registered dietitian. The emphasis is an accredited program by the American Dietetic Association.

TIPS FROM THE PROFS:

The Human Biology faculty encourage you to see a faculty advisor early in your career. An advisor will assist you in planning your course schedule every semester and will provide advice about professional schools and careers. GET INVOLVED whether it is with undergraduate research projects, internships, student organizations, and/or community activities. What you do now contributes to your success in the future!

WHO SHOULD HAVE THIS MAJOR :

Any student interested in the life sciences and human health would be a great Human Biology major!
Since Human Biology is an interdisciplinary major, a minor is not required. However, many students have combined their love of the life sciences with their interests in other areas. Some recommended minors for Human Biology majors are Chemistry, Human Development, Psychology, Business, or a foreign language, such as Spanish. In the past students have also majored in Theater, Communication, or Art. The possibilities are endless!

WHO SHOULD HAVE THIS MINOR :

Any students who may want to combine their major field of interest with knowledge of human biology. Some recommended majors for Human Biology minors are Biology, Human Development, Chemistry, Psychology, and Environmental Science.

WHAT’S UNIQUE ABOUT THIS MAJOR AT UWGB:

FOCUS. An undergraduate Human Biology program as extensive as this is quite unusual. A program with these emphases are often only found in graduate school
PREPARATION. Due to the fact that Human Biology has such a broad focus, students are better prepared for employment, professional programs, and graduate schools, and have a better chance of getting accepted to a professional school or getting that job!
STATE OF THE ART TECHNOLOGY. The labs house up-to-date technology and instruments from which students will gain an understanding of modern laboratory techniques.
OPPORTUNITY. Internships and/or undergraduate research projects are available for every qualified student and are encouraged. In addition to obtaining valuable experience, students enhance their opportunities for future employment and graduate school.
GUIDANCE. The Human Biology faculty is highly involved in the student's education, both inside and outside of the classroom.

SKILLS & ABILITIES GAINED WITH THIS MAJOR:

Courses are designed to assist with the development of critical thinking, problem solving, writing and oral communication skills. Laboratories focus on cellular and molecular techniques, biochemical and physiological techniques used to study human function and nutrition, investigations into structure and development, and statistical skills. Students acquire an understanding of the scientific method, gain an understanding of modern techniques through hands-on activities, acquire experience in properly conducting controlled experiments, and develop skills in the reading of scientific literature.

WHAT YOU CAN DO WITH THIS MAJOR:

Human Biology majors must complete an area of emphasis (see above), and each leads to different careers.

Cytotechnology - leads to a B.S. in Human Biology with professional certification as a registered cytotechnologist.
Nutritional Sciences – leads to careers associated with dietetics in healthcare, nutrition education, governmental and community health agencies, public policy, agribusiness, food service industry, and graduate studies in nutritional sciences.
Exercise Science - leads to careers in personal training, corporate fitness, health and wellness, sports medicine and preparation for physical therapy, occupational therapy, and graduate programs in exercise physiology, biomechanics, kinesiology and other areas associated with exercise science.
Health Sciences - leads to careers as laboratory research assistants in biology or health related fields and prepares students for professional programs such as medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, optometry and graduate programs in the biomedical field or health sciences.
General Human Biology - leads to careers in industrial, managerial, or sales positions in biological research or health-related industries and laboratory research positions in the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry.

Careers that combine Human Biology with other areas of interest are scientific journalist (Communications), scientific illustrator (Art), genetic counselor (Psychology or Human Development), public health (Sociology), bioinformatics (Computer Science), regulatory affairs manager and policy analyst (Business Administration) and quality control specialist (Chemistry).

Want to know more about the nature of the work, working conditions, earnings, training, and job outlook? Then check out the Occupational Outlook Handbook @ http://stats.bls.gov/ocohome.htm

LINKS TO GRAD PROGRAMS:

Graduate School Guide. The comprehensive on-line guide to doctoral, masters, and professional programs. http://www.schoolguides.com
Gradschools.com. The most comprehensive online source of Graduate School Information. http://www.gradschools.com/

Site is no longer available.

Peterson’s.com. The most comprehensive and heavily traveled education resource on the web. http://www.petersons.com/
Or you can try any of the following search engine sites for information on the graduate school program of your choice! http://www.yahoo.com, http://www.infoseek.com, or http://www.snap.com

LINKS TO WEB SITES FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Visible Human Project. Provides a set of digitized images of the human body for use in education and research. Homepage @ http://www.nlm.nih.gov/research/visible/visible_gallery.html
The Biology Project. An online interactive resource for learning biology. Homepage @ http://www.biology.arizona.edu/
Cell & Molecular Biology Online . A general resource for the biology community with an emphasis on information for cell and molecular biologists. Homepage @ http://www.cellbio.com/
American Institute of Biological Sciences. Biomedical and scientific peer review, meetings, and educational programs. Homepage @ http://www.aibs.org/
The Gene School. The purpose is to provide you with a large overview of the genetics field and to give you a starting place for finding out much more. Homepage @ http://library.thinkquest.org/19037/general_info.html
CytoLink. The on-line, multimedia cytology information resource. Homepage @ http://www.cytology.com/

LINKS FOR MORE HELP:

Check out the Human Biology homepage @ http://www.uwgb.edu/humbio/
For course listings and descriptions for Human Biology and other disciplines, check out UW- Green Bay’s Programs of Study page @ http://www.uwgb.edu/catalog/undrgrad/programs.htm
More information about life science careers, graduate schools, standardized tests for admission to professional programs, and internships is available on-campus at the Career Services Office at SS 1600, 465-2163. Homepage @ http://www.uwgb.edu/careers
Contact Academic Advising at SS 1600, 465-2362. Homepage @ http://www.uwgb.edu/advising
Another service for UW System students on the Web is UW HELP On-Line. This service provides in-depth information on the programs of the UW System. You can find them at @ http://www.uwhelp.wisconsin.edu

Updated 8/08