Undergraduate degrees: BA or BS
Major in human physiology at Oregon
Build the foundation for your future in the medical and health fields. The human physiology major provides a comprehensive education for anyone who aspires to care for people’s health or discover medical breakthroughs. The education doesn’t stop at the classroom—you’ll have the chance to get involved in the lab, shadow professionals, and help conduct research. Human physiology is the science of the mechanical, physical, and biochemical function of humans, and serves as the foundation of modern medicine. As a discipline, it connects science, medicine, and health and creates a framework for understanding how the human body adapts to stresses, physical activity, and disease.
Undergraduate students in human physiology complete preparatory science courses in chemistry, biology, mathematics, and physics that prepare them for upper-level coursework in human anatomy and physiology as well as courses that explore the functional and structural mechanisms underlying human health and performance across the lifespan.
Curriculum overview
- Experiential learning opportunities allow students to apply knowledge learned in human physiology courses and gain insight into various career options. There are practicum opportunities in athletic training and pre-physical therapy. Additionally, students interested in research can acquire first-hand experience into the scientific process by working with award-winning research faculty.
- Practical learning occurs in the classroom too. The Human Cadaver Dissection Lab, which houses eight donor bodies, offers the unparalleled opportunity for hands-on exploration of the human form. Advanced undergraduates may also earn the rare opportunity to participate in the annual dissection course, when the donated bodies are prepared for instructional use.
- Contemporary research in human physiology explores new ways to maintain or improve quality of life, development of new medical therapies and interventions, and charting the unanswered questions about how the human body works.
Careers in human physiology
With your degree in human physiology, you might choose a career working in a hospital, clinic, or medical laboratory. You could also pursue employment in pharmaceutical or medical technology sales or find professional opportunities in a crime lab or corporate fitness. Many human physiology graduates elect to earn advanced degrees in allied health professions including medicine, physical and occupational therapy, nursing, dentistry, pharmacy, athletic training, public health, and chiropractic.