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| The Department of Cellular and Physiological Sciences at the University of British Columbia offers an Honours Program in Physiology leading to a BSc degree. |
| Course Requirements, Admissions and Advisor Contact Information |
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| Course Lists: ANATOMY PHYSIOLOGY |
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| Honours Physiology Application Form |
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| Physiology Undergraduate Prizes |
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| What is Physiology? |
| Physiology is the study of life processes. Physiologists answer key questions ranging from: How living systems work, from the molecular level to organ systems and to the whole organism; How the organism responds to physical activities and to the environment around it, whether it is the vacuum of space or the depths of the ocean; How disease can affect living systems; and; How the genome translates into function both within the cell and the whole organism. Physiology is important because it is the basis upon which we expand our knowledge of what "life" is, how to treat disease, and how to cope with stresses imposed upon our bodies by new environments. |
| The roots of Physiology... |
| can be traced to Aristotle in the 4th century BC, but the science in its modern form began to develop with the Renaissance. The American Physiological Society was formed in 1887; the Canadian Physiological Society in 1935. Over the last century, physiology has grown at a constantly accelerating rate, diversifying into many specialized areas. Most recently, advances in molecular biology have provided new techniques for investigating physiological processes such as membrane transport, muscle contraction, electrolyte regulation, endocrine function and neural conduction. New findings challenge older concepts as physiologists probe the molecular levels where structure and function become synonymous. Physiology is a research specialty in its own right, but it is also closely linked to many other specialty research fields. For instance, knowledge of normal biological systems helps scientists to understand what goes wrong in disease, leading to the development of new strategies for prevention and treatment. Physiology plays a central role among the following biological sciences: Biochemistry, Biophysics, Biomathematics, Cellular Biology, Dentistry, Medicine, Molecular Biology, Pharmacology and Veterinary Medicine. |
| Becoming a Physiologist at UBC |
| The education of a physiologist begins with an undergraduate degree in Honours Physiology. Required subjects include English composition, Biology, Mathematics, Chemistry, Physics, Biochemistry, Microbiology and core courses in Physiology of the body systems such as the nervous, endocrine, cardiovascular, respiratory, renal and gastrointestinal. It is important for the student to develop an ability to formulate focused questions and to devise novel ways to find answers. Our Honours students spend a year carrying out an investigation under the supervision of a faculty member that forms the basis of a graduating essay. A Bachelor's or Master's degree qualifies the individual to work under the supervision of a senior physiologist; anyone aspiring to the level of independent investigator and/or teacher in physiology should plan to obtain a PhD or MD degree. This is an exciting time in physiology, as increasingly detailed knowledge of biological functions constantly opens new frontiers in both fundamental and applied sciences. The rapid pace of discovery means that the physiologist will see significant changes in the field during his or her career. The physiologist never stops learning; each generation faces questions that require the development of new techniques, which in turn raise new questions, and often, the need to re-address old questions. |
| Physiologists work in many different settings... |
| a flexibility which is useful when the time comes to select employment. Many physiologists work in colleges or universities, where they teach students in biology, animal science, medicine, dentistry, and other health fields and conduct research on topics of their own choice. They also guide doctoral candidates who will become the teachers and investigators of the future. In this time of interdisciplinary research, many academic physiologists work in departments with other names such as cell biology, molecular biology, bioengineering, pharmacology, toxicology, and zoology. Those who prefer full time research to teaching careers find rewarding positions in government laboratories, industry, hospitals, and other clinical settings. Salaries range from good to excellent, but compensation often includes more than money. For instance, Professors may enjoy a high degree of job security and flexibility in work pattern. They may lecture to students, collect data in the laboratory, conduct field studies, write papers, or dig for information in the library. The need to discuss research with other scientists requires regular travel to meetings at home and abroad. Physiologists who study unusual species or the effects of environmental extremes may travel to the deserts or poles of the earth or may even journey into space. Physiology offers rewarding careers to people of intelligence who are highly motivated to understand the world around them and who are willing to study and teach in an area that is continually changing. |
The preceding information is adapted from the American Physiological Society.
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