Major Overview

Description

What is it that makes us human? The Anatomy and Human Biology major allows you to explore what it means to be human in an integrative way, combining studies of behaviour and biology of human beings with current social and ethical issues. The units offered within this major cover topics as diverse as human functional anatomy; genetics, variation and evolution; reproduction, embryology and growth; microscopic structures of cells and tissues; structure and function of the nervous system; ecology, behaviour and biosocial interactions. Students explore all of these from the molecular to the population level and beyond.

Outcomes

Students are able to:

  1. demonstrate an understanding of human biology from the perspectives of evolution, genetics, behaviour, ecology, development, structure, function and comparative studies.
  2. demonstrate an understanding of human biology in the context of other academic disciplines.
  3. apply critical holistic thinking and creative problem solving skills within an ethical framework.
  4. apply rigorous and critical approaches to empirical (experimental and observational) design, and the validation, processing and interpretation of graphical and statistical data.
  5. demonstrate skills in effectively communicating the science of human biology in academic and societal contexts.
  6. demonstrate the skills required, for successful group collaboration.
  7. demonstrate competency in high-level critical thinking and communication skills suited to gaining employment and further studies in the field of Anatomy and Human Biology..
Broadening guidelines
All students studying towards a Bachelor's Degree at UWA are required to Broaden their studies by completing a minimum of four units (24 points) of study outside their degree specific major. Broadening is your opportunity to explore other areas of interest, investigate new disciplines and knowledge paradigms and to shape your degree to suit your own aspirations and interests. Many of you will be able to undertake more than this minimum amount of broadening study and we encourage you to do so if this suits your aspirations. Over the next few months you will find here some broadening suggestions related to your degree-specific major. While we know that many students value guidance of this sort, these are only suggestions and students should not lose sight of the opportunity to explore what is afforded by your Broadening Choices. Advice can also be sought from your Allocated Student Advising Office.
Suggested Minors to broaden you study area, are:
(1) MNR-WHLTH Women's Health
(2) MNR-ORGPH Human Systems Physiology
(3) MNR-SCCOM Science Communication
(4) MNR-MEHUM Environmental Humanities
(5) MNR-ONHLT OneHealth: Human Health and Environment
(6) MNR-PEPIH Professional Engagement and Practice in Health
(7) MNR-EXMED Exercise as Medicine
(8) MNR-APEXN Applied Exercise and Nutrition
Suggested units to broaden your study area, are:
xx
Prerequisites

Mathematics Methods ATAR or equivalent or higher, or Mathematics Applications ATAR with a mathematics unit taken in the first year. Students without ATAR mathematics will take two first year mathematics units

Courses

Anatomy and Human Biology can be taken as a degree-specific major in the following degree courses:

Example Study Plan

See study plans for more information.

Units

Key to availability of units:
S1
Semester 1
S2
Semester 2
N/A
not available in 2025 – may be available in 2026 or 2027

Level 1

Degree-specific major units

Take all units (18 points):

Availability Unit code Unit name unit requirements
S1 ANHB1101 Human Biology I: Becoming Human None
S2 ANHB1102 Human Biology II: Being Human None
S1 SCOM1101 Communicating Science
Prerequisites
Successful completion of
ATAR Subject(s) ATAR Mathematics Applications
or ATAR Subject(s) WACE Mathematics 2C/2D or equivalent
Co-requisites
MATH1720 Mathematics Fundamentals
or MATX1720 Mathematics Fundamentals
Bridging units

Bridging units must be successfully completed within the first 48 points of study.
Students who have not achieved a scaled mark of at least 50 in Mathematics Methods ATAR or equivalent or higher are required to complete MATH1721 or SCIE1500, (SCIE1500 is recommended).
Students who have not achieved a scaled mark of at least 50 in Mathematics Applications ATAR or equivalent or higher are required to complete MATH1720 and either MATH1721 or SCIE1500, (SCIE1500 is recommended).

Note: MATH1721 should be taken if also considering majors or minors that require it for progression to level 2 (e.g. Maths, Physics, Chemistry or Computer Science):

Availability Unit code Unit name unit requirements
S1, S2 MATH1720 Mathematics Fundamentals
Prerequisites
Mathematics Applications ATAR [with a scaled score of less than 50] or with permission
Incompatibility
Mathematics Applications ATAR [with a scaled score of 50 or greater] or Equivalent or higher
S1, S2 MATH1721 Mathematics Foundations: Methods
Prerequisites
Mathematics Applications ATAR
or MATH1720 Mathematics Fundamentals
or MATX1720 Mathematics Fundamentals
or Mathematics Methods ATAR (with a scaled score of less than 50) or equivalent
Incompatibility
MATH1001 Mathematical Methods 1
and MATH1002 Mathematical Methods 2 and
MATH1011 Multivariable Calculus
or MATX1011 Multivariable Calculus
and
MATH1012 Mathematical Theory and Methods
or MATX1012 Mathematical Theory and Methods
and
STAT1520 Economic and Business Statistics
or STAX1520 Economic and Business Statistics
S1, S2 SCIE1500 Analytical Methods for Scientists
Prerequisites
Successful completion of
ATAR Subject(s) ATAR Subject Mathematics Applications
or MATH1720 Mathematics Fundamentals
or MATX1720 Mathematics Fundamentals
Incompatibility
ATAR Subject(s) ATAR Mathematics Methods
and Unit(s) MATH1721 Mathematics Foundations: Methods (ID 5108)
or MATX1721 Mathematics Foundations

Level 2

Degree-specific major units

Take unit(s) to the value of 18 points:

Availability Unit code Unit name unit requirements
S1 ANHB2212 Human Structure and Development
Prerequisites
Successful completion of
IMED1001 Form and Function
and IMED1002 The Facts of Life
or Successful completion of 12 points from
ANHB1101 Human Biology I: Becoming Human
or ANHX1101 Human Biology 1 (Becoming Human)
and
ANHB1102 Human Biology II: Being Human
or ANHX1102 Human Biology 2 (Being Human)
or 6 points ANHB1101 Human Biology I: Becoming Human
or ANHX1101 Human Biology 1 (Becoming Human)
or ANHB1102 Human Biology II: Being Human
or ANHX1102 Human Biology 2 (Being Human)
and 6 points BIOL1130 Frontiers in Biology
or BIOL1131 Plant and Animal Biology
or IMED1001 Form and Function
or SCIE1106 Molecular Biology of the Cell
or SCIX1106 Molecular Biology of the Cell
or SSEH1101 The Musculoskeletal System and Movement
or SSEH1102 Applied Anatomy and Athletic Performance
S2 ANHB2214 Human Organs and Systems
Prerequisites
Successful completion of any two Unit(s)
ANHB1101 Human Biology I: Becoming Human
or ANHX1101 Human Biology 1 (Becoming Human)
or ANHB1102 Human Biology II: Being Human
or ANHX1102 Human Biology 2 (Being Human)
or BIOL1130 Frontiers in Biology
or SCIE1106 Molecular Biology of the Cell
or SCIX1106 Molecular Biology of the Cell
or IMED1001 Form and Function
S1 ANHB2215 Biological Anthropology: Human Adaptation and Variation None
S2 ANHB2216 Human Reproductive Biology
Prerequisites
Successful completion of
IMED1001 Form and Function
and IMED1002 The Facts of Life
or Successful completion of any one Unit(s)
ANHB1101 Human Biology I: Becoming Human
or ANHX1101 Human Biology 1 (Becoming Human)
or ANHB1102 Human Biology II: Being Human
or ANHX1102 Human Biology 2 (Being Human)
or BIOL1130 Frontiers in Biology
or BIOL1131 Plant and Animal Biology
or SCIE1106 Molecular Biology of the Cell
or SCIX1106 Molecular Biology of the Cell
or IMED1108 Issues in Women's Health Across the Lifespan

Level 3

Degree-specific major units

Take unit(s) to the value of 18 points:

ANHB3330 and ANHB3331 are offered in alternate years. Students who wish to take both units may take one in their second year of study. ANHB3315 and ANHB3322 are offered in alternate years. Students who wish to take both units may take one in their second year of study.

ANHB3330 and ANHB3331 are offered in alternate years. Students who wish to take both units may take one in their second year of study. ANHB3315 and ANHB3322 are offered in alternate years. Students who wish to take both units may take one in their second year of study.

Availability Unit code Unit name unit requirements
S2 ANHB3315 Human Evolutionary Ecology
Prerequisites
Successful completion of
one Unit(s) ANHB2215 Biological Anthropology: Human Adaptation and Variation (ID 1171)
or Unit(s) ANHB3321 Biological Anthropology: Genes and Society
or Unit(s) ANHB3322 Human/Primate Social Organisation
S2 ANHB3316 Human Reproduction
Prerequisites
Successful completion of
one Unit(s) ANHB2216 Human Reproductive Biology
or Successful completion of
two Unit(s) ANHB2212 Human Structure and Development
or Unit(s) ANHB2214 Human Organs and Systems
or Unit(s) ANHB2215 Biological Anthropology: Human Adaptation and Variation
or Successful completion of
Unit(s) ANHB2212 Human Structure and Development and two Unit(s) PHAR2210 Foundations of Pharmacology
or Unit(s) PHYL2001 Physiology of Human Body Systems
or Unit(s) BIOC2001 Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of the Cell
or Unit(s) MICR2209 Introduction to Infectious Diseases and Immunology
or Unit(s) PHAR2220 Human Pharmacology
S1 ANHB3321 Biological Anthropology: Genes and Society None
N/A ANHB3322 Human/Primate Social Organisation
Prerequisites
Successful completion of
one Unit(s) ANHB2215 Biological Anthropology: Human Adaptation and Variation
or Unit(s) ANHB3321 Biological Anthropology: Genes and Society
or Unit(s) ANHB3315 Human Evolutionary Ecology
S1 ANHB3323 Cells, Tissues and Development
Prerequisites
Successful completion of
one Unit(s) ANHB2212 Human Structure and Development
or Unit(s) ANHB2214 Human Organs and Systems
or Enrolment in
MJD-HSNEM Human Science and Neuroscience
N/A ANHB3330 Human Structure and Function - Head and Neck
Prerequisites
Successful completion of 54 points and

Successful completion of
( ANHB2212 Human Structure and Development
or ANHB2217 Human Neurobiology

or Successful completion of SSEH1101 The Musculoskeletal System and Movement and any one Unit(s) ANHB1101 Human Biology I: Becoming Human
or ANHB1102 Human Biology II: Being Human
or ANHX1101 Human Biology 1 (Becoming Human)
or ANHX1102 Human Biology 2 (Being Human)
)
Incompatibility
Successful completion of
ANHB3324 Human Structure and Function
S2 ANHB3331 Human Structure and Function - Limbs
Prerequisites
Successful completion of 54 points and
Successful completion of
ANHB2212 Human Structure and Development
or Successful completion of
( SSEH1101 The Musculoskeletal System and Movement and any ANHB1101 Human Biology I: Becoming Human
or ANHB1102 Human Biology II: Being Human
or ANHX1101 Human Biology 1 (Becoming Human)
or ANHX1102 Human Biology 2 (Being Human)
)
Incompatibility
Successful completion of
ANHB3324 Human Structure and Function
Degree-specific major units

Take unit(s) to the value of 6 points:

Availability Unit code Unit name unit requirements
S1 ANHB3310 Human Biology: Applications and Investigations I
Prerequisites
MJD-ANHBY Anatomy and Human Biology
or MJD-HSNEM Human Science and Neuroscience
Co-requisites
ANHB3321 Biological Anthropology: Genes and Society
or ANHB3323 Cells, Tissues and Development
Incompatibility
ANHB3320 Human Biology: Applications and Investigations II
S2 ANHB3320 Human Biology: Applications and Investigations II
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
Major(s) MJD-ANHBY Anatomy and Human Biology (ID 1343) Major(s) MJD-BIOMS Biomedical Science
Co-requisites
ANHB3315 Human Evolutionary Ecology
or ANHB3316 Human Reproduction
or ANHB3322 Human/Primate Social Organisation
or ANHB3324 Human Structure and Function
Incompatibility
Unit(s) ANHB3310 Human Biology: Applications and Investigations I