Physiology, BS

The B.S. in Physiology is a 120-credit major that provides a strong foundation in physiology while offering the flexibility for the student to tailor their degree to suit a variety of specializations. Integrated into the major are both the broad elements of the biological sciences and the foundations of anatomy and physiology. The curriculum includes an advanced Cellular and Integrative Physiology lecture and laboratory course and a seminar course highlighting cutting edge investigative techniques in physiology. Finally, with a broad selection of upper-level courses spanning the breadth of physiology, the curriculum prepares the student for a vast array of continuing and emerging career paths in the biomedical arena and the physiological sciences.

Physiology Curriculum

	Department and Number - Descriptive Title of Course	Fall Cr.	Spr. Cr.
First Year
MAJOR (GE NSCI)	BIOL 141 - (E) (FYOC, FYDT Lab only) General Biology with Lab¹ — BIOL 142 - (E) (FYOC, FYDT Lab only) General Biology with Lab¹	4.5	4.5
COGNATE	CHEM 112 (E) General and Analytical Chemistry /CHEM 112L — CHEM 113 (E) General and Analytical Chemistry /CHEM 113L	4.5	4.5
GE WRTG	WRTG 107 - (FYW) Composition	3
GE ELECT	FREE ELECT - Free Elective		3
GE PHIL	PHIL 120 - Introduction to Philosophy	3
GE HUMN	HUMAN ELECT - Humanities Elective		3
GE FSEM	First Year Seminar²
		15	15
Second Year
MAJOR	PSIO 220 - Advanced Human Anatomy and Physiology I — PSIO 221 - Advanced Human Anatomy and Physiology II	3	3
MAJOR	BIOL 110L (E) Human Anatomy and Physiology I Laboratory — BIOL 111L (E) Human Anatomy and Physiology II Laboratory	1	1
MAJOR	PSIO 290 Core Concepts in Physiology Seminar		1
COGNATE	CHEM 232 - (E) Organic Chemistry / CHEM 232L — CHEM 233 - (E) Organic Chemistry / CHEM 233L	4.5	4.5
GE QUAN	MATH 114 - (Q) Calculus I	4
GE S/BH	S/BH ELECT - Social/Behavioral Elective		3
GE PHIL - T/RS	PHIL 210 - Ethics — T/RS 121 - (P) Theology I: Introduction to the Bible	3	3
		15.5	15.5
Third Year
MAJOR	PSIO 320 - Cellular and Integrative Physiology / PSIO 320L — PSIO/BIOL ELECT - Physiology Elective	6	3
MAJOR	PSIO 390 - Experimental Approaches in Physiology Seminar		2
COGNATE	PHYS 120/PHYS 120L - (E) General Physics I — PHYS 121/PHYS 121L - (E) General Physics II	4	4
GE S/BH	S/BH ELECT - Social Behavioral Elective	3
GE HUMN	HUMN ELECT - Humanities Elective		3
GE T/RS	T/RS 122 - (P) Theology II: Introduction to Christian Theology	3
GE ELECT	FREE ELECT - Free Elective		3
		16	15
Fourth Year
MAJOR	PSIO/BIOL Electives³	6	3
GE PHIL OR T/RS	PHIL ELECT - Philosophy Elective or T/RS ELECT - Theology Elective		3
GE HUMN	HUMN ELECT - Humanities Electives	3	3
GE ELECT	FREE ELECT - Free Electives	6	4
		15	13
	Total: 120 Credits

¹Successful completion of BIOL 141 L /BIOL 142 L satisfies the EP Foundational requirement.

²The selection of a First Year Seminar is likely also to fulfill a General Education course requirement. Thus, the First Year Seminar should not add any extra credits to the major.

³ PSIO electives are divided into three domains listed below: Molecular & Cellular; Systems; and Comparative. In fulfilling their twelve Physiology elective credits, Physiology majors must include at least three credits from each domain. These elective credits also must include at least one of the courses marked with the⁺below that indicates that in-class oral presentations are included as part of the curriculum. With the approval of the Program Director, other research experiences may substitute for the oral presentation requirements.

Physiology Elective Courses

⁺ Indicates that this course satisfies the major elective in-class oral presentation requirement.

Physiology, BS

Physiology Curriculum

First Year

Second Year

Third Year

Fourth Year

Total: 120 Credits

Physiology Elective Courses

Molecular & Cellular Physiology

Systems Physiology

Comparative Physiology

Other Physiology Elective Courses