Physiology Degree Programs and Classes

<p>Physiology degree programs and classes provide students with a greater understanding of life functions in humans and other living organisms. A degree in physiology prepares students for a variety of careers in laboratory science or medical research. Students may find degree programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels. </p> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><td> <b>Degrees </b> </td><td> Bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degrees in physiology with several concentrations</td></tr> <tr><td> <b>Courses</b> </td><td> Biology, chemistry, anatomy, kinesiology, histology, scientific writing, molecular biology, neuroscience, biostatistics and more</td></tr> <tr><td> <b>Training </b> </td><td> Students can get training through internships at hospitals, clinics or research labs</td></tr> </table><h3 id="section---WhatDegreeProgramPreparesMeForACareerInPhysiology">What Degree Program Prepares Me For a Career in Physiology?</h3> <p>Depending on your career goal, bachelor's, master's or doctoral degree programs exist with several concentrations or preparatory classes designed to help you start or advance in your chosen profession. You can find bachelor's degree programs that include medical training designed to segue into medical school. Both bachelor's and master's programs offer concentrations in exercise sciences if you plan on entering a sport, fitness or physical therapy vocation. A Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree program develops your research methods, teaching you how to tackle cellular and biological problems that affect living organisms. A Ph.D. program also provides you with teaching experience to prepare you for a job as a college or university professor. </p> <h3 id="section---WhatCanILearnInAnUndergraduateDegreeProgram">What Can I Learn in an Undergraduate Degree Program?</h3> <p>During your first year of an undergraduate program, you'll learn general biology and chemistry. The remainder of a 4-year program exposes you to natural and medical sciences, like anatomy, kinesiology and organic chemistry. The exact classes you'll take vary based on your chosen specialization and could include sport injury management, nutrition and conditioning techniques. You'll also complete an internship at a hospital, clinic or research lab, and some schools provide on-campus facilities that give you additional practice in clinical and research practices. </p> <h3 id="section---WhatCanILearnInAGraduateDegreeProgram">What Can I Learn in a Graduate Degree Program?</h3> <p>You'll participate in more research at the graduate level. Master's degree programs typically include lab courses and you might be required to complete an internship. Classes at the master's level include histology, scientific writing, gross anatomy, cell biology and oral communication. </p> <p>You can focus your research at the doctoral level in areas such as endocrine and cardiovascular physiology, depending on your specific interests. Ph.D. curricula often take an integrative approach to physiology, allowing you to study the whole organism, as well as its parts. Class topics might include molecular biology, neuroscience and biostatistics. Some additional areas of study at the graduate level are listed as follows: </p> <ul><li>Human functions </li><li>Pharmacology </li><li>Bioinformatics tools </li><li>Elemental physiology </li><li>Mechanisms of body function </li><li>Fundamentals of physiology </li><li>Neurophysiology </li></ul><h3 id="section---CanIEarnADegreeOnline">Can I Earn a Degree Online?</h3> <p>Very few schools offer online degree programs in physiology. You'll usually find undergraduate degree programs and prerequisite classes more often than graduate studies, though some graduate certificate programs exist. You might be able to take preparatory coursework in medical physiology or general sciences designed to provide you with fundamental instruction. </p> <p>Schools provide access to course lectures and labs through streaming video, visual and textual reading, virtual simulations or by sending course materials to your home. You'll be able to communicate with your instructors through e-mail or discussion boards, and you might need to visit the campus or enlist a proctor for exams. </p> <h3 id="section---WhatCanIDoWithADegreeInPhysiology">What Can I Do With a Degree in Physiology?</h3> <p>With a bachelor's degree, you'll qualify for entry-level research and clinical jobs in hospitals, insurance companies, research labs and pharmaceutical firms. Depending on the focus of the program and the electives you choose, you might meet eligibility requirements to enter medical school. Additionally, you can pursue graduate studies in areas such as public health, laboratory science and education. </p> <p>With a master's degree, you'll find career options available in physiology research and practice. The type of work you'll do relates specifically to what you studied in school. For example, earning a master's degree in <a href="https://learn.org/articles/Best_Exercise_Physiology_Graduate_Programs_Answers_to_Your_Questions.html">exercise physiology</a> qualifies you for jobs in sports and recreation, fitness, nutrition and rehabilitation. </p> <p>If you've earned a Ph.D. in physiology, you can become a physiology researcher or you can work in academia. As a physiological scientist, you could find ways to prevent and control the spread of disease. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), biological scientist positions, including those in physiology, were expected to experience a 15% increase between 2021 and 2031 (<i>www.bls.gov</i>). The BLS stated that exercise physiologists employed with the federal government earned an average of $80,630 in 2021.</p>