Bachelor’s-to-Master’s in Human Physiology
The combined Bachelor’s-to-Master’s Program in Human Physiology is an early-admission, accelerated program that prepares students for careers in clinical, pharmaceutical, or biotechnology settings. The program provides a strong foundation for doctoral-level studies in biology, physiology, or neuroscience while also strengthening professional school applications.
As with the BS in Human Physiology, the undergraduate portion of the Bachelor’s-to-Master’s Program has premedical courses built into the curriculum and includes a clinical or research internship. In the senior year, however, students begin taking graduate courses and start their thesis research. Working together with a faculty mentor, a graduate plan of study based on research interests and career goals is developed. Learn more about departmental research opportunities by investigating our renowned faculty and our human physiology research labs.
Bachelor’s-to-Master’s Programs are linked bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in which the two degrees are conferred sequentially. This Bachelor’s-to-Master’s Program allows students to apply a maximum 8 units from their undergraduate degree toward the associated master’s degree. The units applied toward the master’s degree must be at the 500 level or above. The MS consists of 33 units of required coursework. Students in the Human Physiology Bachelor’s-to-Master’s Program must complete at least 25 units while enrolled as a graduate student.
Students must apply to Bachelor’s-to-Master’s Programs before the conferral of the bachelor’s degree. Typically, students apply to the Human Physiology Bachelor’s-to-Master’s Program in their sophomore year. Students should consult with the Financial Assistance office to learn how entrance into the Bachelor’s-to-Master’s Program might impact their financial aid.
Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate a robust understanding of human anatomy and human physiology.
- Students will demonstrate a diverse understanding of human anatomy and human physiology by:
- Discerning anatomical features/structures
- Differentiating function and dysfunction of various body systems
- Recognizing the interrelatedness of body systems
- Applying this knowledge to real-world scenarios
- Students will demonstrate a diverse understanding of human anatomy and human physiology by:
- Demonstrate practical skills for research, health, and the healthcare industry.
- Students will be able to demonstrate practical skills by:
- Developing a variety of diagnostic and research techniques
- Making informed decisions based on individual evaluations
- Understanding “best practices” of patient care in real-world, clinical settings
- Students will be able to demonstrate practical skills by:
- Exhibit social and cultural awareness.
- Students will demonstrate cultural and social acumen via:
- Developing effective interpersonal communication skills
- Displaying the ability to collaborate and contribute to a team
- Identifying instances of exclusion and marginalization in health, research, and medicine
- Students will demonstrate cultural and social acumen via:
Requirements
Students must complete all requirements for the BS in Human Physiology (128 units) and all requirements for the MS in Human Physiology (33 units). Students may count up to 8 units from their undergraduate degree toward the MS. Students are advised to take two terms of SAR HS 791 (8 units total) in their senior year to count toward the MS. They must take a minimum of 25 units while enrolled as a graduate student.
In addition to completing the requirements for both degrees, students enrolled in the BS-to-MS program are required to:
- take the yearlong Biochemistry sequence (CAS CH 421/422) during the BS, a prerequisite for the MS
- begin master’s thesis research in their senior year, rather than completing the Internship/Practicum (SAR HS 410) requirement
For the BS, a cumulative GPA of 2.0 must be achieved for graduation. This GPA must represent a record that contains no more than 16 units of D grades. A course will not be accepted for external transfer if the grade is lower than a C. (A grade of C– is not acceptable.)
For the MS, a cumulative GPA of 3.0 is required. Any grade below a C will not be accepted for units. To remain in the program, students may not receive more than 12 units below a C+.
For further information about the Human Physiology program, please visit the BS-to-MS in Human Physiology page on the Sargent College website.
Sample Curriculum
Each course carries 4 units, unless otherwise indicated.
Begin BS in Human Physiology
Year 1
| Fall | Spring |
| CAS BI 107 Biology I | CAS BI 108 Biology II |
| CAS CH 101 General Chemistry I | CAS CH 102 General Chemistry II |
| First-Year Writing Seminar (e.g., CAS WR 120) | SAR HP 151 Introduction to Health Professions (2 units) |
| CAS PS 101 General Psychology | Writing, Research, and Inquiry (e.g., CAS WR 151/152/153) |
| SAR HP 150 First-Year Experience Seminar (0 units) | BU Hub elective |
Year 2
| Fall | Spring |
| CAS CH 203 Organic Chemistry I | CAS CH 204 Organic Chemistry II or CAS CH 214+ |
| CAS BI 203 Cell Biology (can be taken fall or spring) | CAS BI 315 Systems Physiology |
| CAS MA 121 Calculus | Any of the following (must take 2/4): CAS MA 122 Calculus, CAS MA 115 Statistics I, CAS MA 116 Statistics II, CAS MA 214 Applied Statistics |
| BU Hub requirements outside the major1 | BU Hub requirements outside the major2 |
Apply to the BS-to-MS program
Year 3
| Fall | Spring |
| CAS CH 421 Biochemistry I | CAS CH 422 Biochemistry II |
| CAS PY 105 Elementary Physics I | CAS PY 106 Elementary Physics II |
| SAR HS 251 Human Nutrition Science | SAR HS 342 Exercise Physiology |
| Any of the following (must take 2/4): CAS MA 122 Calculus, CAS MA 115 Statistics I, CAS MA 116 Statistics II, CAS MA 214 Applied Statistics | BU Hub requirements outside the major or SAR HP 252 or SAR HP 353 |
| BU Hub requirements outside the major or SAR HP 252 or SAR HP 353 |
Year 4
| Fall | Spring |
| SAR HS 369 Gross Human Anatomy | Pathophysiology requirement (SAR HS 375 or SAR HS 371) or BU Hub elective |
| Pathophysiology requirement (SAR HS 375 or SAR HS 371) or BU Hub elective | SAR HS 791 Directed Study and Research |
| SAR HS 791 Directed Study and Research | BU Hub requirements outside the major and/or BU Hub electives (4–8 units) |
| BU Hub requirements outside the major and/or BU Hub electives (4–8 units) |
Year 5
| Fall | Spring |
| SAR HS 791 Directed Study and Research | SAR HS 791 Directed Study and Research |
| SAR HS 750 The Physiologist’s Toolbox | Human Physiology elective |
| SPH BI 704 Introduction to Biostatistics | Human Physiology elective |
| Human Physiology elective |
1Visit the BU Hub section of the Bulletin for a listing of BU Hub electives.
+Students taking CAS CH 421 Biochemistry should take CAS CH 214 Organic Chemistry instead of CH 204.
2For students planning to apply to medical school, the department recommends taking CAS SO 100 Principles in Sociology or CAS SO 215 Sociology of Health Care to prepare for the MCAT exam.
Honors Requirements
Students are eligible to participate in the Sargent College Senior Thesis for Distinction. This experience provides a thorough understanding of the research enterprise. The thesis will develop your technical writing and oral presentation skills through interactions in the laboratory, writing a final report on your project, and summarizing your research in a final presentation to students and faculty. In addition, the dedication, creativity, and independence honed during your thesis experience will be invaluable in helping prepare you for graduate school. Successful completion of the Sargent College Senior Thesis for Distinction results in the designation “graduation with distinction” appearing on the student’s diploma and transcript.
Further information is available on the Sargent College website.
