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University of Montana Catalog 2025-2026

Human Biology and Biomedical Sciences B.S.

The B.S. in Human Biology and Biomedical Sciences is for students interested in health, biomedical, and biotechnology. Students are provided a solid background in the biological, biomedical, and related physical sciences and are prepared for careers in biomedical research as well as professional health programs (medical, M.D./Ph.D., dental, physician’s assistant, physical therapy, etc.).

General Degree Requirements

To earn a baccalaureate degree, all students must complete successfully, in addition to any other requirements, the University of Montana General Education Requirements. Please refer to the General Education Requirements page for more information. 

Additional requirements for graduation can be found on the Degree/Certificate Requirements for Graduation page

Unless otherwise noted in individual program requirements, a minimum grade point average of 2.00 in all work attempted at the University of Montana-Missoula is required for graduation. Please see the Academic Policies and Procedures page for information on how your GPA is calculated.

Courses taken to satisfy the requirements of a major, minor, or certificate program must be completed with a grade of C- or better unless a higher grade is noted in the program requirements.

Bachelor of Science - Human Biology and Biomedical Sciences

Course Requirements

Biology/Microbiology Lower-Division Core 1
Complete all of the following courses:
BIOB 160Principles of Living Systems3
BIOB 161NPrinciples of Living Systems Lab1
BIOB 170NPrinciples of Biological Diversity3
BIOB 171NPrinciples of Biological Diversity Lab2
BIOB 260Cellular and Molecular Biology4
BIOB 272Genetics and Evolution4
Human and Biomedical 300-level Depth Courses
Complete three of the following courses:9-13
Developmental Biology
General Genetics
Human Anatomy and Physiology for Health Professions I
and Human Anatomy and Physiology for Health Professions I Laboratory
Human Anatomy and Physiology for Health Professions II
and Human Anatomy and Physiology for Health Professions II Laboratory
General Microbiology
and General Microbiology Lab
Molecular Neuroscience
Biochemistry Requirement
Complete one of the following sequences: 4-6
One Semester:
Biochemistry
Full Year:
Advanced Biochemistry I
and Advanced Biochemistry II
Human and Biomedical 400-level Depth Courses
If BCH 480/482 were taken, complete three of the following courses. If BCH 380 was taken, complete four of the following courses:9-13
Biochemistry Research Lab
Undergraduate Research
Immunology
Advanced Cellular & Molecular Biology
Endocrinology
Genomics
Advanced Undergraduate Research
Undergraduate Thesis
Hematology
Genes and Development Lab
Principles of Medical Physiology
Pathogenic Microbes
Host-Microbe Interactions
General Parasitology
and General Parasitology Lab
Virology
Advanced Undergraduate Research
Careers Course
Complete one of the following courses: 1-2
Your Future in Biology
PreMedical Sciences 101 Honors: The Science of Health Professions Success
Related Mathematical and Social Sciences
Complete three of the following courses:9-11
Introduction to Computer Science
Applied Calculus
or M 171
Calculus I
Intro to Psychology
Introduction to Sociology
Introduction to Statistics
Chemistry 2
Complete one of the following sequences of general and organic chemistry: 10-20
Introductory Chemistry (10 credits):
Introduction to General Chemistry
Introduction to Organic and Biochemistry
and Introduction to Organic and Biochemistry Lab
Advanced Chemistry (20 credits):
College Chemistry I
and College Chemistry I Lab
College Chemistry II
and College Chemistry II Lab
Organic Chemistry I
and Organic Chemistry I Lab
Organic Chemistry II
and Organic Chemistry II Lab
Physics
Complete one of the following Physics sequences: 10
Algebra- and Trigonometry-based Physics:
College Physics I
and College Physics I Laboratory
College Physics II
and College Physics II Laboratory
Calculus-based Physics:
Fundamentals of Physics with Calculus I
and Physics Laboratory I with Calculus
Fundamentals of Physics with Calculus II
and Physics Laboratory II with Calculus
Writing in the Disciplines Requirement
To complete the Writing in the Disciplines Requirement, Biology students take 2 or 3 partial writing courses (either three 1/3 writing courses or one 1/3 writing course and one 2/3 writing course) or one complete writing course.
Total Hours69-92
1

The lower-division core should be completed before attempting most upper-division major courses. AP Biology credit with a score of 3 may be substituted for either BIOB 160/BIOB 161N or BIOB 170N/BIOB 171N

2

Students who begin in the advanced chemistry sequence may substitute those courses for introductory sequence courses at the discretion of the major advisor. If students plan to apply to a graduate or professional school such as medical or dental, they should plan to complete the advanced chemistry sequence. If they plan to pursue nursing or a graduate program in physical therapy, the introductory chemistry sequence is most likely sufficient. The advanced chemistry option is more flexible, and keeps more options open for future careers. Check the requirements of your intended professional program to help determine which sequence is most appropriate.

Writing in the Disciplines Distributed Model Courses for Biological Sciences

1/3 Writing in the Disciplines Courses
BCH 482Advanced Biochemistry II3
BIOB 410Immunology3
BIOB 425Advanced Cellular & Molecular Biology3
BIOB 483Phylogenics and Evolution3
BIOE 371General Ecology Lab (equivalent to 271)2
BIOE 403Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy4
BIOE 428Freshwater Ecology5
BIOH 447Genes and Development Lab3
BIOM 327Vector-Borne Diseases: Public Health Perspectives3
BIOM 435Virology3
BIOO 470Ornithology4
BIOO 475Mammalogy4
WILD 470Conservation of Wildlife Populations4
2/3 Writing in the Disciplines Courses
BCH 486Biochemistry Research Lab3
BCH 499Senior Thesis/Capstone3-6
BIOB 411Immunology Laboratory2
BIOB 499Undergraduate Thesis3-6
BIOE 448Terrestrial Plant Ecology4
BIOE 485Plant Evolution3
BIOM 499Undergraduate Thesis3-6
Full Writing in the Disciplines Courses
BIOH 462Principles of Medical Physiology3
BIOM 420Host-Microbe Interactions3