Human Biology

Meet Your Major

Human Biology

The human biology major is designed to provide students with a rigorous foundation in biological sciences, especially pertaining to the human body and its well-being. With specific tracks for medicine (medical doctor), physician’s assistant, nursing, occupational and physical therapies, and biomedical research, this program prepares students to pursue advanced training in a diversity of professional and graduate programs as well as general biological post-baccalaureate careers. Whether further education in schools of medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, optometry, or biomedical engineering is your interest; or if you want to teach high school biology, labor in a laboratory, or fulfill God’s command to care for his creation in the most competent manner; a major in human biology will give you an opportunity to be stretched, strengthened and in awe of God’s handiwork.

With less cognate course requirements, you can connect your biology degree to other liberal arts majors. You may pursue a minor or second major in a field such as business – for a career in healthcare administration; computer science – to seek a job in the rising field of bioinformatics; or history, biblical & religious studies to help the kingdom of God to wrestle with the complexities of bioethics and to develop a consistent Christian philosophy of medicine in our confused world.

A student majoring in Human Biology will:

  • Demonstrate knowledge of biological systems from the molecular, cellular, organismal, and ecosystem perspectives integrating information derived from chemistry, biochemistry, and physics.
  • Demonstrate the technical and analytical skills required for employment or graduate level education in biology or biology-related careers.
  • Effectively communicate scientific data and ideas to a diversity of audiences in written, oral, and graphic formats using appropriate scientific terminology.
  • Use scientific reasoning to access, interpret, analyze, and synthesize data.
  • Demonstrate expertise in the scientific method, including experimental design and critical assessment of the scientific literature.
  • Apply biblical and ethical standards for all aspects of biological scientific endeavors, including the responsible conduct of scientific research and its applications.

Our curriculum emphasizes experiential learning where you learn by doing. Opportunities include:

  • Directed studies and faculty-mentored research opportunities
  • Internships and field studies
  • Capstone Projects

A B.S. in biology with a co-major can lead to many rewarding career paths in politics, education, communication and more. Many of our graduates will become school science teachers, researchers in the biotech and pharma industries, and many will advance to medical school opportunities. 

Student Experiences

Sattler to Medical School

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"One of the biggest ways Sattler prepared me for medical school was how the classes are structured to prepare students for the MCAT. The course structure leading up to the MCAT was incredibly helpful for preparing me to do well on that exam."

What You'll Take

A special feature of the Sattler College experience is its extensive Core Curriculum. We believe students are more likely to flourish socially and intellectually when each entering class enjoys a common academic experience. When all students take part in a common set of courses, upper-level students will have a large body of wisdom and knowledge to share with the students following behind them. We are convinced that the most fulfilling way to learn is to teach. Our robust Core Curriculum makes such.
Required Courses - Sattler Core
Sattler Core (47 credits)
  • BIO 101 Principles of Biology
  • BRS 101 Fundamental Texts of Christianity
  • BRS 201 Christian Doctrines
  • BRS 203 Apologetics
  • LNG 102 Elementary Biblical Greek I
  • LNG 103 Elementary Biblical Greek II
  • LNG 104 Elementary Biblical Hebrew I
  • LNG 105 Elementary Biblical Hebrew II
  • HUM 201 Hist. Ancient World
  • HUM 202 Medieval & Renaissance Europe
  • HUM 203 Hist. Modern Era
  • LNG 101 Exp. Writing
  • LNG 110 Oral Comm
  • MAT 102 Statistics and Data Science
  • IGA 401 Global Poverty & World Change
Required Courses - Major
Major (59-68 credits)
  • BIO 191 Principle of Biology Lab (1)
  • CHM 101 General Chemistry I
  • CHM 191 General Chemistry I Lab (1)
  • CHM 102 General Chemistry II
  • CHM 192 General Chemistry II Lab (1)
  • CHM 201 Organic Chemistry I
  • CHM 291 Organic Chemistry I Lab (1)
  • CHM 202 Organic Chemistry II
  • CHM 292 Organic Chemistry II Lab (1)
  • BIO 201 Genetics and Genomics
  • BIO 202 Microbiology & Lab (4)
  • BIO 210 Anatomy & Physiology I
  • BIO 211 Anatomy & Physiology II
  • PSY 101 Introduction to Psychology
  • BIO 301 Immunology
  • BIO 204 Biochemistry
  • BIO 310 Human Pathophysiology
  • BIO 401 Human Biology Senior Seminar
  • BIO 390 Undergraduate Research OR
  • BIO 402 Independent Study
  • BIO 410 Capstone Project (12 hours)
Choose two of the following:
  • BIO 302 Introduction to Neuroscience
  • BIO 303 Bioethics
  • BIO 304 Computational Biology
  • BIO 305 Pharmacology and Drug Design
Pre-medical students should also take:
  • MAT 103 Introduction to Calculus
  • PHY 101 Physics I
  • PHY 102 Physics II
Electives or minor (5 or fewer credits)
Sample Schedule - First Year
Fall (16 Credits)
  • LNG 101 Exp. Writing 
  • LNG 102 Elementary Biblical Greek I
  • BIO 101 Principles of Biology
  • MAT 102 Statistics and Data Science
  • BRS 101 Fundamental Texts of Christianity

Spring (17 Credits)

  • HUM 201 Hist. Ancient World
  • LNG 103 Elementary Biblical Greek II
  • BIO 201 Genetics & Genomics
  • BIO 101 Principles of Biology Lab (4)
  • MAT 103 Introduction to Calculus (4)
Sample Schedule - Second Year
Fall (16 Credits)
  • HUM 202 Hist. Medieval & Renaissance Europe
  • LNG 104 Elementary Biblical Hebrew I
  • BIO 202 Microbiology & Lab (4)
  • PSY 101 Intro to Psycology
  • CHM 101 General Chemistry I Lab (4)
  • BIO 201 Genetics and Genomics

Spring (16 Credits)

  • HUM 203 Hist. Modern Era
  • LNG 105 Elementary Biblical Hebrew II
  • BRS 201 Christian Doctrines
  • BIO 203 Immunology
  • CHM 102 General Chemistry II & Lab (4)
Sample Schedule - Third Year
Fall (16 Credits)
  • CHM 201 Organic Chemistry I & Lab (4)
  • PHY 101 Physics I
  • BIO 210 Anatomy & Physiology I
  • BIO 203 Advanced Molecular Biology
  • BIO elective

Spring (16 Credits)

  • CHM 202 Organic Chemistry II & Lab (4)
  • PHY 102 Physics II
  • BIO 211 Anatomy & Physiology II
  • BIO 306 Biochemistry
  • BRS 203 Apologetics
Sample Schedule - Fourth Year
Fall (15 Credits)
  • BIO 401 Human Biology Senior Seminar
  • BIO 402 Independent Study
  • BIO 310 Human Pathophysiology
  • BIO Elective

Spring (15 Credits)

  • IGA 401 Global Poverty & World Change
  • BIO 403 Capstone Project (12 hours)

View the Course Catalog

The Course Curriculum documents both core curriculum and elective courses, including course numbers, course names, credit hours, course descriptions, and prerequisites.

Cover for the 2024-25 Course Catalog.