Human Sciences

Human Sciences studies the biological, social and cultural aspects of human life, and provides a challenging alternative to some of the more traditional courses offered at Oxford. The School was founded in 1969 in recognition of the need for interdisciplinary understanding of fundamental issues and problems confronting contemporary societies. Central topics include the evolution of humans, their behaviour, molecular and population genetics, population growth and ageing, ethnic and cultural diversity and the human interaction with the environment, including conservation, disease and nutrition. The study of both biological and social disciplines, integrated within a framework of human diversity and sustainability, should enable the human scientist to develop professional competencies suited to address such multidimensional human problems.

The course draws on specialists from a number of different faculties in the University. Lectures introduce most of the material you will need and provide the core concepts and theories for each paper. Tutorials, given by specialists in different fields, allow you to consider particular topics in greater depth. They also allow students from different academic backgrounds to gain the necessary grounding across a range of subjects.

The course is unusual in having its own building within the University, the Pauling Human Sciences Centre. It has a seminar/ lecture room, tutorial rooms and a reading room. The Human Sciences Centre office is a particularly valuable resource, offering a variety of information and guidance about teaching arrangements, lecture timetables, course syllabuses, and books and journals in other libraries to which students have access. In addition the Centre has a crosssection of books covering different aspects of the course, which are specifically chosen for undergraduate use. The Centre is also a focus for many informal activities, ranging from student-organised symposia to regular lunches. In general, the Centre provides a friendly base which contributes greatly to undergraduates’ involvement in the course.

While some Human Sciences graduates will go on to academic and professional training in medicine, genetics, demography, anthropology and sociology, others move into different areas. Recent graduates have found opportunities in fields including the Civil Service, government, health services, teaching, the media, law, industry, commerce, computing, management consultancy and accountancy, and include an editor and writer of children’s books, a financial analyst and a solicitor.

Vanessa who graduated in 1991 has recently produced the series Frozen Planet. She has worked as a Producer/Director on a variety of wildlife series including Wildlife on One, The Natural World, Life of Mammals, Planet Earth. She also co-wrote the book accompanying Frozen Planet and has contributed to a number of academic books including The Biology of Religion, as well as magazines on various wildlife and conservation subjects. Several scientific papers have also been published on the basis of exceptional behavioural footage taken on films she has produced.

Alison, who graduated in 2000, currently works as the Principal Scientist in HIV epidemiology at the Health Protection Agency. She says:"My undergraduate degree in Human Sciences was excellent preparation for my career. The field of HIV is multifaceted which means we not only measure the prevalence and incidence of HIV but also seek to understand the complexities of sexual behaviour and the political and social context of HIV. Human Sciences gave me a solid grounding in statistical methods, biological and social sciences. Specifically, the cross-disciplinary ethos of the course taught me the importance of collaboration with academics and advocates with a wide range of expertise and the need to interpret data within a social, human context."