How do food, drugs and the environment impact your health? That is the central question of the Human Biosciences program. 

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• Admission requirements - entry to the university
• Your first year
• Admission requirements - admission to the major
• Sample courses
• Career opportunities

Human Biosciences at Memorial

Many of our undergraduates conduct research through the Memorial University Career Experience Program (MUCEP), ISWEP, Student Undergraduate Research Award (SURA) and other summer research programs. Ongoing research activities include studying the progression of cancer, the development of the immune system, describing protein structures that may lead to drug development, the role of small RNA in the control of gene expression, and how proteins that detect chemical signals in the body are involved in health and disease.

In addition to the major, honours and minor options in Human Biosciences, joint programs are offered in:

• Cell Biology and Human Biosciences (B.Sc. honours)
• Chemistry and Human Biosciences (B.Sc. honours)
• Human Biosciences and Physics (B.Sc. honours)
• Human Biosciences and Behavioural Neuroscience (B.Sc. honours)

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Admission requirements - entry to the university

Applications are considered on a rolling basis. You are encouraged to apply by:

You may apply for admission into the Faculty of Science by indicating as your program choice on the undergraduate application for admission.

Direct entry into the Faculty of Science from high school is subject to meeting the general admission requirements for Memorial University, including appropriate high school courses in mathematics and a laboratory science.

Important to know: You cannot choose Human Biosciences as your major at the time of application. Admission into the major requires the completion of university level courses. Follow the information listed below under your first year and admission to the major for further details.

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Your first year

Have a look at a sample schedule of 10 courses you may need to take before applying to the human biosciences major.

This is a sample only. Meet with an academic advisor to create a plan that aligns with your specific needs and goals.

1. You are required to complete six credit hours in CRW courses, including at least three credit hours in English. Students attending Grenfell Campus will normally complete English 1000/1001 in their first year. 
   
   
2. Selection of a chemistry course depends on your background and ability. You should refer to the chemistry course criteria chart prior to selecting your first-semester course. If you are not able to register for Chemistry 1050 in the fall semester, you can take Chemistry 1010 in the fall and Chemistry 1050 in the winter semester. In order to complete the biochemistry major within four years, review the following information about completing the first-year chemistry courses:
• You must be eligible for Chemistry 2400 in the fall semester of second year.
• It is strongly recommended that Chemistry 1051 be completed before beginning the second year of studies. It will be possible to take Chemistry 1051 in the spring semester. Students attending Grenfell Campus will normally complete Chemistry 1200/1001 in their first year.
• All human biosciences majors must pass Chemistry 1051 or 1001 with a grade of 60% as this is a prerequisite for Chemistry 2301 which must be completed in second year. 
  
  
3. Selection of a mathematics course depends on a student’s background and ability. You should refer to the math course criteria chart prior to selecting your first-semester course. Mathematics 1000 or 1006 is required for admission to the major.

Further assistance

For assistance with course selection, contact the Academic Advising Centre.

For additional program information visit the Department of Biochemistry or contact bcadvice@mun.ca.

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Admission requirements - admission to the major

Current Memorial students

Entry into the Human Biosciences major is based on academic standing. In order to apply for this major, you must have completed a minimum of 30 credit hours (10 courses), including the following: 

• six credit hours in critical reading and writing (CRW) courses, including at least three credit hours in English
• Chemistry 1050 and 1051 (or 1200 and 1001)
• Mathematics 1000 or 1006
• Biology 1001
• Biology 1002 or Human Biosciences 1001 (or Biochemistry 1600)

You must successfully complete the 8 courses mentioned above with a minimum overall average of 60% and be eligible for entry to Chemistry 2400.

Apply for the major

Upon completion of these courses, you must apply to the major. While there is no deadline, you are strongly recommended to apply by May 31 so that your major is on record before fall registration begins. Failure to apply by this date may result in your application not being processed before your registration time. 

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Sample courses

HUBI 2003 - Basics of Human Metabolism
HUBI 3005 - Environment-Health Interactions
HUBI 4231 - Molecular Biology of the Bacterial-Human Interface

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Career opportunities

A bachelor of science degree, with a major in Human Biosciences, prepares students for a variety of careers including:

• researcher (academia/industry)
• technical sales representative/marketing consultant
• scientific/technical writer or editor
• forensic scientist
• clinical biochemist
• professor/lecturer/teacher
• medical doctor/dentist/veterinarian
• patent lawyer
• environmental consultant
• biomedical engineer
• physiotherapist/occupational therapist
• genetic counsellor

Note: some of these careers may call for supplementary education or preparation in the form of graduate studies, experiential learning or professional courses and exams.

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