GEAR, biomedical engineering, lab work, arts & sciences.

Human Dynamics

Gain experience inside and outside of the classroom as you prepare for a rewarding career in physical therapy or a similar field. 

Why Study Human Dynamics at USD?

With a human dynamics specialization in biology, you will be well-prepared to gain admittance to and succeed in a doctoral program in physical therapy or a related program. You will take undergraduate courses that follow a pre-physical therapy track, such as physiology, anatomy, chemistry, psychology and human development. This major specialization also allows you to begin your study in USD's physical therapy professional program at the Sanford School of Medicine and earn your Doctor in Physical Therapy in six years instead of seven. Students who don't choose to enroll in the USD physical therapy program can still complete a biology degree with an emphasis on humans in four years.

Explore the intricacies of the human body and position yourself to thrive in a professional health program such as physical therapy by majoring in the human dynamics biology specialization at USD.


Degrees & Offerings

Biology: Human Dynamics (B.S.)

Bachelor’s
  Vermillion Main Campus

If you are interested in anatomy, embryology, physiology or genomics, the human dynamics specialization is a great fit for you. You'll take classes like Biostatistics, Comparative Physiology and Vertebrate Anatomy & Embryology.

Learn more about the biology program

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Physical Therapy (B.S./D.P.T.)

Accelerated Program
  Vermillion Main Campus

The accelerated 3+3 program partnering biology and physical therapy allows students pursuing a B.S. in biology with a specialization in human dynamics to earn their Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Physical Therapy in six years rather than the traditional seven.

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Program Details

Undergraduate

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Departments & Facilities

Explore the departments, facilities and centers that contribute to your education in biology.
Biology academics standing in water holding a net

Biology

Research, explore and experience the study of life from the molecule to large biomes in the Department of Biology.

Overview of the Missouri River

Missouri River Institute

Located along the free-flowing Missouri National Recreational River, the Missouri River Institute explores the natural and cultural resources of the river through its focus on research, education and outreach.

Students conducting field research by a river.

Your Enriching Education

Undergraduate research. Biology Club. Innovative and exciting classes.


In the Department of Biology, you'll benefit from hands-on learning in and beyond the classroom, and you'll find answers to the questions you are most curious about. Whether you choose to specialize in conservation & biodiversity, human dynamics or physiology, cell & molecular biology, you won't just receive an education – you'll experience it.

 

Learn more about the biology major

Hear from a USD Alum

Success story Carrie Eckert smiling.
The biology department staff was very supportive. Afterwards, I worked at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and the University of Colorado, Boulder before being recently recruited to lead a new synthetic biology group at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) in Tennessee. My base education in biology and training in a research lab prepared me for graduate school and beyond.

Carrie Eckert

B.S. Biology '99
Synthetic Biology Research, Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Oak Ridge, TN

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