Nov 21, 2024  
2024-2025 Pitzer Catalog 
    
2024-2025 Pitzer Catalog

Human Biology Major


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A Human Biology Major should be able to:

  • Understand foundational principles and findings in biology and the social sciences.
  • Develop critical thinking and analytical skills by developing specific hypotheses, designing controlled experiments to test those hypotheses, collecting and/or evaluating data, and interpreting those data.
  • Read, understand and critique original research articles in the biological and social sciences.
  • A student following Option 2 of the major should also be able to: 
    • Understand variation in human social organizations and cultures.
    • Identify and understand health and medicine in different cultural, economic and political contexts
    • Critically identify micro- and macro-level issues affecting medical practices in local and global settings.

MAJOR REQUIREMENTS:

Option 1 Social Science:

Introductory Courses:  Students are required to take introductory courses in Anthropology, Psychology, and Sociology

A course in statistics is strongly recommended and may count towards the relevant part of the major.  For example, Applied Biostatistics as an upper division Biology course, Psychological Statistics as an upper division Psychology course, and Quantitative Research Methods in Sociology as an upper division Sociology course (students cannot count more than one statistics course towards the major).

A one or two semester Human Biology Thesis:  BIOL191 or BIOL188L/190L or BIOL189L/190L.  Topic selected in consultation with the Biology faculty: Profs. Armstrong, Budischak, Chandrangsu, Coleman, Finseth, E. Ferree, P. Ferree, Heers, Preest, Thomson, Solomon-Lane, and/or Profs. Bonaparte, Guillermo, and Miller, and/or Profs Miller, Martins, Bonaparte.  Some theses may require you to audit a thesis course in the appropriate discipline.

Option 2: Cross-Cultural Health and Healing

Seven courses with an emphasis on health and/or healing.

These may be drawn from Sociology, Anthropology, Psychology, Political Studies, and International and Intercultural Studies, among others disciplines that may be relevant. Necessary pre-requisite introductory courses can count among the seven courses, but four courses must be upper division.  One of the courses must be an appropriate practicum or internship course. Students are encouraged to do independent fieldwork projects while studying abroad or through the Ontario Program. 

A course in statistics is strongly recommended and may count towards the relevant part of the major.  For example, Applied Biostatistics as a Biology course, Psychological Statistics as an upper division Psychology course, and Quantitative Research Methods in Sociology as an upper division Sociology course (students cannot count more than one statistics course towards the major).

A one or two semester Human Biology Thesis:  BIOL 188L KS -Sr Thesis Rsrch Project in Biol  or BIOL 190L KS Sr Thes Rsrch Proj Biol-2nd Sem  (fall plus spring); or BIOL 189L KS -Sr Thes Summer Rsrch Proj in Bio  or BIOL 190L KS -Sr Thes Rsrch Proj Biol-2nd Sem  (summer plush fall or spring). Topic selected in consultation with the Biology faculty: Profs. Armstrong, Budischak, Chandrangsu, Coleman, Finseth, E. Ferree, P. Ferree, Heers, Preest, Thomson, and Solomon-Lane, and/or Profs. Bonaparte, Guillermo, Miller, and Snowiss and/or Profs. Miller, Martins, Bonaparte, Guillermo.  Some theses may require you to audit a thesis course in the appropriate discipline.

Learning Outcomes for Cross-Cultural Health and Healing Option:

  1. Identify, describe, understand and evaluate traditional, cultural and/or indigenous (non-allopathic) healing modalities.
  2. Critically identify, discuss, and evaluate micro- and macro-level issues affecting medical practice in local, global, and community health settings.
  3. Demonstrate their understanding of course material and its linkages to their participation in an internship or practicum experience.
  4. Create and develop a comprehensive senior thesis research project that integrates their study and experience.

Human Biology Courses

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