Anatomy and Human Biology major
What is it that makes us human? The Anatomy and Human Biology major allows you to explore the fascinating concept of what it means to be human in an integrative way, combining studies of the education, 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) understand the structural, functional and genetic biology of humans to be able to (a) proceed to further studies in postgraduate professional biomedical courses (e.g. medicine, dentistry, sleep science); (b) make meaningful comparisons with other species; and (c) think about evolutionary processes in concrete, testable terms; (2) demonstrate familiarity with the current state of knowledge in a range of areas of human biology including genetics, functional morphology, histology and cell biology, evolutioniary ecology, biological anthropology, embryology, reproductive biology and neurobiology; (3) appreciate the relationships between human biology and other areas of science; (4) engage in the type of holistic, interconnected thinking required of human biologists; (5) demonstrate the possession of the generic scientific skills of library research, critical scientific reading, clear written and verbal communication, and effective data collection, analysis and interpretation; (6) demonstrate comfort in the use of electronic media; (7) demonstrate familiarity with the basic techniques and tools of both social and structural aspects of investigations in human biology; (8) engage in rigorous and critical approaches to experimental design and the validation, manipulation and interpretation of data; (9) communicate scientific ideas clearly and engagingly to a range of audiences; (10) work effectively as part of a team; (11) demonstrate faith in the experimental approach to furthering knowledge; (12) demonstrate an open and imaginative approach to problem solving; (13) appreciate the need to communicate openly and to share skills and knowledge; (14) appreciate the value of creative criticism, both offered and received; (15) appreciate the value of human diversity for its own sake and for the way in which it informs the discipline of human biology; and (16) apply relevant employability skills for 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 that is afforded by your Broadening Choices. Advice can also be sought from your Allocated Student Advising Office.
Prerequisites
ATAR Mathematics Methods or equivalent or higher
Anatomy and Human Biology can be taken as a degree-specific major in the following degree courses:
BP004 Bachelor of Science
BP006 Bachelor of Biomedical Science
BH005 Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours)
Overview of unit sequence
Anatomy and Human Biology is a degree-specific single major comprising:
- two Level 1 units
- two Level 2 units
- four Level 3 units
| Key to availability of units: |
|---|
| S1 = Semester 1; S2 = Semester 2; N/A = not available in 2021 |
Note: Units that are indicated as N/A may be available in 2022 or 2023.
Level 1
Take all units (12 points):
| Availability | Unit code | Unit name | unit requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| S1 | ANHB1101 | Human Biology I: Becoming Human | |
| S2 | ANHB1102 | Human Biology II: Being Human |
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. 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 MATH1721.
| Availability | Unit code | Unit name | unit requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| S1, S2 | MATH1720 | Mathematics Fundamentals |
|
| S1, S2 | MATH1721 | Mathematics Foundations: Methods |
|
Level 2
Group A:
| Availability | Unit code | Unit name | unit requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| S1 | ANHB2212 | Human Structure and Development |
|
| S2 | ANHB2216 | Human Reproductive Biology |
Group B:
| Availability | Unit code | Unit name | unit requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| S2 | ANHB2214 | Human Organs and Systems | |
| S2 | ANHB2216 | Human Reproductive Biology |
Group C:
| Availability | Unit code | Unit name | unit requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| S1 | ANHB2212 | Human Structure and Development |
|
| S1 | ANHB2215 | Biological Anthropology: Human Adaptation and Variation |
Group D:
| Availability | Unit code | Unit name | unit requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| S2 | ANHB2214 | Human Organs and Systems | |
| S1 | ANHB2215 | Biological Anthropology: Human Adaptation and Variation |
Level 3
Take unit(s) to the value of 18 points:
| Availability | Unit code | Unit name | unit requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| S2 | ANHB3315 | Human Evolutionary Ecology | |
| S2 | ANHB3316 | Human Reproduction |
|
| S1 | ANHB3321 | Biological Anthropology: Genes and Society |
|
| N/A | ANHB3322 | Human/Primate Social Organisation |
|
| S1 | ANHB3323 | Cells, Tissues and Development | |
| S2 | ANHB3324 | Human Structure and Function |
Take unit(s) to the value of 6 points:
| Availability | Unit code | Unit name | unit requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| S1 | ANHB3310 | Human Biology: Applications and Investigations I | |
| S2 | ANHB3320 | Human Biology: Applications and Investigations II |
|
Choosing your degree-specific major
Specialised degrees – Bachelor of Advanced Computer Science (Honours), Bachelor of Automation and Robotics, Bachelor of Environmental Design, Bachelor of Music
You must satisfy the requirements of the degree-specific major in your degree before you complete your course.
Bachelor of Philosophy, Politics and Economics
This comprehensive degree does not require you to choose a degree-specific major.
General degrees
You must satisfy the requirements of a degree-specific major before you complete your course. The flexible structure of an undergraduate course allows you to try out a number of different subjects to see what interests you before nominating your degree-specific major. You have the choice to either nominate your degree-specific major when you first enrol in the course or delay nominating it until your second year.
To plan the first year of your study without nominating a degree-specific major, you are advised to choose units that will pave the way to two or more degree-specific majors that are of interest to you. For examples of the choice of units available in first year, search the first-year study plans .
To fully understand the structure of an undergraduate course, read the course structure information and the Undergraduate Degree Course Rules.
The following example illustrates how the Anatomy and Human Biology degree-specific major can be included in the Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Biomedical Science course.
There are more choices open to you. For more examples, search the study plans .
Choosing a second major
You also have the option to choose a second major from those available in the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Biomedical Science, Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Design Only available to re-enrolling students. and Bachelor of Science courses, giving you the opportunity to pursue your interests no matter how different they are.
The following example illustrates how the Anatomy and Human Biology degree-specific major can be combined with a second major in the Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Biomedical Science course.
- Example 1:
- Course Study Plan: CSP004-ANHBY-Generic
For more examples of combinations of majors, search the study plans .