Profile of the Programme
The Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) Degree Programme in Human Biology is an accredited interschool/interdepartmental, undergraduate Programme. It aims to provide students with the opportunity to receive an interdisciplinary perspective on the relationship between the biological, health and sociocultural aspects of humanity’s origin, development, function and prospects.
Aims
To provide interdisciplinary education in the molecular, cellular and whole body biological processes and mechanisms for the understanding of issues and concepts related to human life and to health and disease.
Objectives
- Introduce students to biological sciences and teach them how these are interrelated in understanding the human biological functions.
- Teach students how these functions are related to human evolution, behavior and culture.
- Help students analyze, discuss critically and relate biological issues to human health and diseases.
- Prepare students towards advanced academic studies and research in the biosciences, the biomedical fields and in medicine.
- Prepare students towards a career in the pharmaceutical, medical and biotechnology industries and in the education sector.
- Help students develop ethos and skills and attitudes required for lifelong learning.
Career Prospects
On successful completion of the program, graduates will be able to find employment at various sectors. Potential employment opportunities include: the Education sector (primary and secondary education); the Biomedical sector of public or private Clinical Diagnostic and/or Research Laboratories/Centers; the Pharmaceutical Industry and the Government and/or public/private Organizations/Institutions concerned with Public Health issues.
Access to Further Studies
Upon graduation, students may proceed directly to further postgraduate (MSc, MA, MRes, MPhil) studies for specialization in the various fields of the Biosciences/Biomedical Life and Health Sciences.
The University of Nicosia also offers an MSc in Biomedical Sciences which may be followed to further your studies.
Course assessment usually comprises of a comprehensive final exam and continuous assessment. Continuous assessment can include amongst others, mid-terms, projects, and class participation. Letter grades are calculated based on the weight of the final exam and the continuous assessment and the actual numerical marks obtained in these two assessment components. Based on the course grades the student’s semester grade point average (GPA) and cumulative point average (CPA) are calculated.
The student must complete 240 ECTS and all programme requirements. A minimum cumulative grade point average (CPA) of 2.0 is required. Thus, although a ‘D-‘ is a PASS grade, in order to achieve a CPA of 2.0 an average grade of ‘C’ is required.
By the end of the programme the graduates will be able to:
- Name, identify, describe, relate and explain the role and importance of the biological components, processes and mechanisms that define biological form and function at the molecular, cellular and whole body levels.
- Relate biological functions to health and disease and discuss these in relation to human development, genes, behavior and culture.
- Follow instructions, apply techniques and use modern technologies to collect, analyze, evaluate and critically appraise experimental data.
- Describe and discuss the theoretical and experimental basis and technologies used in scientific research.
- Design and execute a research project and organize, interpret, discuss and critically evaluate related scientific literature and research outcomes.
- Apply critical, analytical, reflective and independent thinking (cognitive skills) in problem solving in the life and health sciences fields.
- Apply life-long learning skills (computer skills, numeracy, communication and reporting), and demonstrate a professional and ethical approach to working individually or as a member of a team.
Section: A – Human Biology Core Requirements
Min. ECTS Credits: 186 Max. ECTS Credits: 186
Notes: Students may choose to complete BIOL-492 or BIOL-492A.
Section: B – Life and Health Sciences Electives
Min. ECTS Credits: 36 Max. ECTS Credits: 36
Notes: Al least 24 ECTS should be selected from one of the following themes: Cell Biology Theme: BIOL-412,413,414,421,422,423,431,461,472,481. Human Health Theme: BIOL-402,403,431,441,442,443,444,451,473.
Section: C – General Education Courses
Min. ECTS Credits: 18 Max. ECTS Credits: 18
Notes:
Course Code | Course Title | ECTS Credits |
ANTH-105 | Cultural Anthropology | 6 |
ART-110 | Introduction to Visual Arts | 6 |
ART-111 | Greek Art | 6 |
BADM-231 | Business Communications | 6 |
BADM-332 | Technical Writing and Research | 6 |
COMM-200 | Business and Professional Communication | 6 |
COMP-150 | Microcomputer Applications | 6 |
COMP-151 | Computer Fundamentals | 6 |
EDUS-411 | Science Teaching Methods | 6 |
ENGL-100 | Basic Writing | 6 |
ENGL-101 | English Composition | 6 |
ENGL-102 | Western World Literature and Composition | 6 |
ESCI-200 | Society and Environment | 6 |
HIST-201 | World History to 1500 | 6 |
HIST-265 | The US and World History Since 1945 | 6 |
MATH-180 | Algebra and Trigonometry | 6 |
MULT-160 | Introduction to Multimedia | 6 |
MULT-161 | Interactive Multimedia Development | 6 |
MUS-110 | Introduction to Music | 6 |
PHIL-120 | Ethics | 6 |
PSY-111 | General Psychology II | 6 |
PSY-210 | Social Psychology | 6 |
PSY-240 | Abnormal Psychology | 6 |
PSY-330 | Psychology of Gender | 6 |
REL-250A | Ancient and Medieval Christian Thought | 6 |
SOC-101 | Principles of Sociology | 6 |
UNIC-100 | University Experience | 6 |
Semester 1
Course ID | Course Title | ECTS Credits |
BIOL-101 | General Biology I | 6 |
CHEM-105 | General Chemistry | 6 |
MATH-192 | Calculus for the Life Sciences I | 6 |
PHYS-110 | Elements of Physics | 6 |
PSY-110 | General Psychology I | 6 |
Semester 2
Semester 3
Semester 4
Course ID | Course Title | ECTS Credits |
CHEM-245 | Organic Chemistry | 6 |
BIOL-206 | Human Anatomy and Physiology II | 6 |
BIOL-241 | Immunology | 6 |
BIOL-251 | Introduction to Microbiology and Virology | 6 |
PSY-111 | General Psychology II | 6 |
EDUS-411 | Science Teaching Methods | 6 |
Semester 5
Course ID | Course Title | ECTS Credits |
BIOL-301 | Developmental Biology and Human Embryology | 8 |
BIOL-311 | Molecular Biology | 8 |
BIOL-321 | Biochemistry I | 8 |
HIST-201 | World History to 1500 | 6 |
Semester 6
Course ID | Course Title | ECTS Credits |
BIOL-303 | Human Biological Variation | 6 |
BIOL-322 | Biochemistry II | 8 |
BIOL-371 | Drug Action and Toxicology | 8 |
BIOL-323 | Molecular Basis to Health and Disease | 8 |
Semester 7
Semester 8
Course ID | Course Title | ECTS Credits |
BIOL-492 | Research Project II | 10 |
BIOL-312 | Bioanalytical Techniques and Instrumentation | 8 |
BIOL-461 | Cellular Neuroscience | 6 |
BIOL-451 | Environmental Health | 6 |
The above semester breakdown is an indicative one. A few of the courses are electives and can be substituted by others. Students may contact their academic advisor and consult their academic pathway found on this website under “Schools & Programmes”.