Extended Major Overview

Description

The Medical Science - Human Biology extended major will focus on mechanisms of health and human disease, providing students with the essential preclinical knowledge that will prepare them for a broad range of careers in health- and biomedical science-related fields. The level 1 and 2 units focus on preclinical disciplines. These disciplines will be integrated within the two Level 3 Body Systems units which will have a strong focus on functional human anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology. Communication and research skills for the health professional will be presented throughout the major, including aspects of Australian society and Aboriginal health. The structure of the Major provides for a broad, pre-clinical, pan-discipline education, while accommodating a single discipline focus .

The Medical Science - Human Biology focus explores the fascinating concept of 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.

Outcomes

Students are able to:

  1. articulate a broad knowledge of the structure, function and physiology of the human body at a molecular, cellular, organ and body system level
  2. demonstrate an understanding of communicable and non-communicable disease processes and health interventions based on knowledge of human body functions and pharmacological principles
  3. communicate biomedical concepts and knowledge to diverse audiences in effective and appropriate ways
  4. evaluate and adopt research methodologies including research design and the analysis and interpretation of health and medical data
  5. demonstrate high level academic and interpersonal skills
  6. demonstrate an understanding of human biology from the perspectives of evolution, genetics, behaviour, ecology, development, structure, function and comparative studies
  7. demonstrate skills in effectively communicating the science of human biology in academic and societal contexts
  8. demonstrate high-level critical thinking and communication skills suited to gaining employment and further studies in the field of 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 Chemistry or equivalent.

ATAR Mathematics Applications or equivalent.

Incompatibilities
None
Courses

Medical Science - Human Biology can only be taken as a degree-specific major in the following degree courses:

No study plans found for this major. Check your chosen course, see study plans or contact your student advising office for more information.

Units

Key to availability of units:
S1
Semester 1
S2
Semester 2
N/A
not available in 2026 – may be available in 2027 or 2028

Students without WACE or ATAR Chemistry are required to successfully complete CHEM1003 in first year. Students who do not have ATAR Mathematics Applications or equivalent or higher, are required to successfully complete MATH1720 in their first year.

Level 1

Degree-specific major units

Take all units (24 points):

Availability Unit code Unit name unit requirements
S1 IMED1001 Form and Function
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
MJD-MEDSI Medical Science
or MJD-IMSCP Integrated Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice
or MJD-EBMEG Biomedical Engineering
or MJD-PHMSC Podiatric Health and Medical Sciences
or MJD-DENTS Integrated Dental Sciences
S1 IMED1002 The Facts of Life
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
Major(s) MJD-IMSCP Integrated Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice
or MJD-DENTS Integrated Dental Sciences
or MJD-PHMSC Podiatric Health and Medical Sciences
or MJD-MEDSI Medical Science
Co-requisites
IMED1001 Form and Function
S2 IMED1003 Cell Survival and Communication
Prerequisites
Successful completion of
IMED1001 Form and Function (ID 5965)
and IMED1002 The Facts of Life
Co-requisites
Enrolment in
IMED1004 Health and Society (ID 5968)
S2 IMED1004 Health and Society
Prerequisites
IMED1001 Form and Function (ID 5965)
and IMED1002 The Facts of Life
Co-requisites
IMED1003 Cell Survival and Communication (ID 5967)
Bridging units

Students without WACE or ATAR Chemistry are required to successfully complete CHEM1003 in first year.

Students who do not have ATAR Mathematics Applications or equivalent or higher, are required to successfully complete MATH1720 in their first year.

Availability Unit code Unit name unit requirements
S1, S2 CHEM1003 Introductory Chemistry
Incompatibility
ATAR Subject(s) Chemistry or equivalent
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
Degree-specific major units

Human Biology—take the following unit:

Availability Unit code Unit name unit requirements
S2 ANHB1102 Human Biology II: Being Human None

Level 2

Degree-specific major units

Take all units (24 points):

Availability Unit code Unit name unit requirements
S1 IMED2001 Body Defences
Prerequisites
Successful completion of
IMED1003 Cell Survival and Communication
and IMED1004 Health and Society
Co-requisites
IMED2002 Blood and Drugs
S1 IMED2002 Blood and Drugs
Prerequisites
IMED1003 Cell Survival and Communication
and IMED1004 Health and Society
Co-requisites
IMED2001 Body Defences
S2 IMED2003 Medical Sciences Research Methodologies
Prerequisites
IMED2001 Body Defences (ID 5969)
and IMED2002 Blood and Drugs
Co-requisites
IMED2004 Human Development and Genetics
S2 IMED2004 Human Development and Genetics
Prerequisites
IMED2001 Body Defences (ID 5969)
and IMED2002 Blood and Drugs
Co-requisites
IMED2003 Medical Sciences Research Methodologies (ID 5971)
Degree-specific major units

Human Biology—take all units (12 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 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 all units (12 points):

Availability Unit code Unit name unit requirements
S1 IMED3010 Human Body Systems 1
Prerequisites
Successful completion of
IMED2003 Medical Sciences Research Methodologies
and IMED2004 Human Development and Genetics
and Enrolment in
MJD-MEDSI Medical Science
S2 IMED3020 Human Body Systems 2
Prerequisites
Successful completion of
IMED3010 Human Body Systems 1
and Enrolment in
MJD-MEDSI Medical Science
Degree-specific major units

A — Human Biology—take unit(s) to the value of 6 points:

ANHB3328 and ANHB3329 are offered in alternate years. Students who wish to take both ANHB3328 and ANHB3329, may take one of these units in their second year of study.

ANHB3328 and ANHB3329 are offered in alternate years. Students who wish to take both ANHB3328 and ANHB3329, may take one of these units in their second year of study.

Availability Unit code Unit name unit requirements
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
S2 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
N/A 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

B — Human Biology—take unit(s) to the value of 6 points:

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
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
Degree-specific major units

Human Biology—take all units (12 points):

Availability Unit code Unit name unit requirements
S1 ANHB3321 Biological Anthropology: Genes and Society None
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