Human Biology
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    Human Biology

    Stanford University
    Stanford University
    United States of America
    United States of America, Stanford
    University Rank:#6
    Go to Official Website
    Duration4 year(s)
    Tuition Fee
    USD 19,231 / term
    Next IntakeJune 24, 2215
    Human Biology

    About

    The mission of the undergraduate program in Human Biology is to provide students with an interdisciplinary approach to understanding human beings from biological, behavioral, social, and cultural perspectives. Core courses train students to approach significant problems from a range of perspectives. As they progress through the major, each student pursues an individualized course of study that draws upon disciplines across the university and promotes a nuanced understanding of a substantive area. The program prepares majors to pursue advanced training in professional or graduate programs and to address issues that influence human welfare.

    The B.A. degree is designed for students who prefer a traditional liberal arts degree with a curriculum steeped in the natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities. The degree is suitable for a variety of career trajectories, including attending graduate or professional school, such as medical school. Students who plan to pursue graduate work should familiarize themselves with the admission requirements of the schools to which they intend to apply. A total of 81 units of credit are required for graduation, so early planning is advisable to guarantee completion of a Human Biology major.

    B.A. Degree Option Requirement

    For the B.A. degree, coursework must be predominantly in the social sciences and humanities, with a minority in the natural sciences. Courses that are designated as Ways for aesthetic and interpretive inquiry, creative expression, engaging diversity, ethical reasoning, and social inquiry qualify as B.A. eligible courses. Other eligible courses have been designated as B.A. by the program.

    More details about meeting this requirement can be found in the section describing Breadth, Depth & Upper Division degree requirements.

    How to Declare

    Students can begin planning a course of study once they have successfully completed at least two of the six courses in the HumBio Core Sequence with a letter grade of "C-' or higher (See COVID-19 exceptions for Spring 2020 through Spring 2021). Over the course of declaration, a prospective major must consult with the Human Biology advising team to develop a course of study with an individualized Area of Concentration. Students may officially declare in Axess once they have received program approval for their Area of Concentration and completed four of the six HumBio Core Sequence courses with a 'C-' or better. The program recommends that students finish the declaration process by the time they finish the HumBio Core Sequence.

    Area of Concentration

    Courses taken in a student's Breadth and Depth requirement inform the student's individualized chosen Area of Concentration topic. The student selects courses for these two requirement categories in consultation with the advising staff, who approve the final course selections. The Area of Concentration title should communicate the focus of the student's Human Biology coursework. Upon approval of their proposed coursework, students write a Cornerstone Essay explaining their chosen Area of Concentration. At the time the major is declared, the student submits the Cornerstone Essay (3-5 pages), which includes academic and long-term goals and the proposed list of courses satisfying the Breadth and Depth requirements for the major. The proposal is then reviewed by the student advisors who can help identify an appropriate faculty advisor.

    Additional information about the major may be obtained from the program's offices or at the Program in Human Biology website.

    Many problems facing humans today involve both biological and social aspects. Scientific approaches to these problems are essential, but they must be broadly conceived and placed within their proper social and cultural setting. The BA degree is designed for you if you prefer a traditional liberal arts degree with coursework predominantly in the social sciences and humanities.

    The program expects its undergraduate majors to  be able to demonstrate the following learning outcomes.

    Communication 

    Because Human Biology is an interdisciplinary program with an emphasis on both empirical inquiry and applied knowledge, excellent communication skills are critical to majors. Successful students must be able to engage with literature from multiple disciplines. Students must also be able to communicate with audiences from multiple disciplines and also with varying levels of subject expertise, and be able to communicate information and ideas clearly, precisely, concisely, and purposefully in any setting. Toward this end, a graduate of Human Biology is expected to be able to: 

    1. adopt an appropriate style for written communication in the biological and social sciences

    2. accurately summarize a scientific article

    3. synthesize and criticize multiple sources of scientific literature

    4. revise effectively in response to feedback

    5. write collaboratively

    6. present information visually in a variety of forms (charts, graphs, figures, and posters) for different audiences, purposes, and occasions

    7. communicate in a variety of major scientific genres (such as abstracts, literature reviews, posters, research proposals, research presentations, and policy proposals) and popular genres (such as op-eds, PSA, podcasts, and science blogs)

    8. use citations to provide context and to credit others for their intellectual contributions

    9. communicate scientific knowledge to both specialist and non-specialist audiences

    10. construct a well-supported, logical argument based on relevant evidence and established conceptual frameworks

    11. frame a research question in relation to the current state of knowledge in a field

    12. articulate a well-reasoned hypothesis

    13. listen to any speaker and pose questions

    14. deliver an oral presentation and pose questions

    Data Analysis

    Data are used in the social and biological sciences to make observations about and judgments regarding patterns of human behavior and function. These data are sometimes imperfect or incomplete, but must be used, nevertheless, to make decisions and policies regarding humans individually and in groups within the worlds they inhabit. Thus, students should cultivate a capacity within the Human Biology major to critically examine and analyze data. A graduate of Human Biology is expected to be able to:

    1. recognize that different scientific disciplines draw on various sources and types of evidence 

    2. translate a research topic into a hypothesis that can be tested using quantitative or qualitative data

    3. identify variables that are relevant to a study and describe their nature (e.g., categorical, continuous) and interrelationships (independent, dependent, covariates)

    4. use statistical software to summarize and describe data of various types

    5. choose an appropriate analytical framework or statistical model for testing a given hypothesis, considering the structure of the data (e.g., sample size, distribution, qualitative or quantitative nature)

    6. employ quantitative or qualitative data to support a conclusion

    7. understand and interpret the results of hypothesis tests

    8.  detect mistakes commonly made in empirical reasoning and data analysis

    9. assess the limits of available data and identify potential sources of uncertainty

    10. present data accurately, clearly, and effectively in the forms of tables, graphs, and figures

    11. explore specialized modes of data analysis such as meta-analysis, bioinformatics, modeling, and epidemiological approaches

    Scientific Literacy

    The Program in Human Biology prepares students to join a broad scientific community with a culture of building and sharing knowledge. A goal of the major is to cultivate judicious consumers of research in the natural and social sciences, irrespective of their individual career paths. A graduate of Human Biology is expected to be able to:

    1. appreciate the distinct roles of common genres of scientific writing, including peer reviewed research papers, review articles, commentaries, and popular science writing

    2. acknowledge and apply the normative and ethical standards of conducting and publishing research, including accuracy, transparency, and responsibility to colleagues and subjects

    3. consider the credibility and importance of a published article and its relevance within a field

    4. engage with peer-reviewed scientific literature actively and critically

    5. identify research questions and understand their theoretical or practical importance

    6.  assess research methodologies including experimental or other study design

    7.  evaluate evidence and statistical analyses presented in support of claims

    8. interpret data presented in a table, graph, or figure

    9. use a hypothesis or conceptual framework to make predictions or pose questions about a novel setting

    Disciplines

    Human Biology

    Requirements

    Entry Requirements

    At Stanford, we practice holistic admission. Each piece in your application is part of an integrated and comprehensive whole.

    One piece tells us about your background and life experiences, another about your school and your academic achievement. We learn from others about your character and intellectual contributions. In your essays, we learn about your ideas and interests, and what is meaningful to you.

    Each year we aim to enroll a class of diverse backgrounds and experiences, talents, academic interests, and ways of viewing the world.

    In a holistic review, we seek to understand how you, as a whole person, would grow, contribute and thrive at Stanford, and how Stanford would, in turn, be changed by you.

    Academic Excellence

    The primary criterion for admission to Stanford is academic excellence. We look for your preparation and potential to succeed. We expect you to challenge yourself throughout high school and to do very well.

    The most important credential for evaluating your academic record is your high school transcript. Please know that our evaluation goes beyond any numerical formula. There is no minimum GPA or test score, nor is there any specific number of AP or honors courses you must have on your transcript in order to have your application reviewed or be admitted to Stanford.

    For more complete information on our curriculum guidelines for first-year students, please visit our Academic Preparation page.

    Intellectual Vitality

    We want to see your commitment, dedication and genuine interest in expanding your intellectual horizons, both in what you write about yourself and in what others write on your behalf. We want to see the kind of curiosity and enthusiasm that will allow you to spark a lively discussion in a first-year seminar and continue the conversation at the dinner table. We want to see the energy and depth of commitment you will bring to your endeavors, whether that means in a research lab, as part of a community organization, during a performance or on an athletic field. We want to see the initiative with which you seek out opportunities and expand your perspective.

    Extracurricular Activities

    Learning about your extracurricular activities and nonacademic interests helps us understand your potential contributions to the Stanford community. Students often assume our primary concern is the number of activities in which a student participates. In fact, an exceptional depth of experience in one or two activities may demonstrate your passion more than minimal participation in five or six clubs. You may also hold down a job or have family responsibilities. These are as important as any other extracurricular activity. In general, we want to understand the impact you have had at your job, in your family, in a club, in your school or in the larger community, and we want to learn of the impact that experience has had on you.

    In some cases, exceptional abilities in athletics may influence our decision if the applicant is otherwise well qualified, but such abilities never, by themselves, ensure admission to Stanford.

    Context

    Just as no two Stanford students are the same, each applicant to Stanford is unique. This means that as we review each application, we pay careful attention to unique circumstances. We take into account your background, educational pathway, and work and family responsibilities. By focusing on your achievements in context, we evaluate how you have excelled in your school environment and how you have taken advantage of what is available to you in your school and community.

    It is important to know these variables are not listed in order of importance in our evaluation and selection process. We review applications holistically. No portion of the application is considered without the rest of the application.

    English Requirements

    • TOEFLMin 100

    Fee Information

    Tuition Fee
    19,231 / term
    Application Fee 90

    How to Apply

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    Human Biology
    Stanford University
    Stanford University
    United States of America

    United States of America, Stanford

    Go to Official Website