Undergraduate Program

 

                                 


Learn about our curriculum and how you can customize your degree to prepare for your unique career and professional school goals

New students entering the University of Arizona should apply for admission directly to the Office of Admissions and specify their major as "Physiology and Medical Sciences" in the Department of Physiology, College of Medicine – Tucson. Before registering for classes, new students should attend an orientation. To learn more about the Physiology and Medical Sciences program, we invite you to click through the drop down boxes below to explore our course requirements. You can also view and downlaod PDF versions of our curriculum guide and four year plans here. 

Declare the Major

Program Requirements: Physiology and Medical Sciences Curriculum

Physiology Required Core Classes
  • PSIO 201 Anatomy & Physiology I (F, S, SSI) (4 credits) (Letter Grade of a C or higher)
  • PSIO 202 Anatomy & Physiology II (F, S, SSII) (4 credits) (Letter Grade of a C or higher)
  • PSIO 303 Integrative Cellular PSIO (Fall only) (3 credits)
  • PSIO 305 Integrative System PSIO (Spring only) (3 credits)
  • Major "Core" Electives - Most students in our current curriculum will also add 10 units of Physiology coursework of their choice from an approved list to complete their core course requirements. 

 

Note: Before you can enroll in PSIO 303 and PSIO 305, you must complete the following courses: 

  • Calc 1 (MATH 119A, MATH 122B or MATH 125)
  • General Chemistry I and II (CHEM 141/143 and CHEM 142/144 OR CHEM 151 and CHEM 152)
  • PSIO 201 and PSIO 202
  • Students must earn a grade of “C” or better in PSIO 201 and PSIO 202 (Human Anatomy & Physiology I and II) before taking upper-division PSIO courses
University Requirements, General Education, Math & Science

English Sequence

  • ENGL 101, First-year Composition OR ENGL 109H First-year Composition (3 credits)
  • ENGL 102, First-year Composition OR ENGL 109H First-year composition (3 credits)

Math Requirements

  • Math 122A and Math 122B, OR Math 119A OR Math 125 (3-5 credits)

  • Choose one from either being Calculus II (Math 129) or Biostatistics (MATH 263, BIOS 376, OR ECOL 379) (3 credits)​

Second Language Requirements

  • Second Language: Complete one of the following: Second-language courses through second-semester level OR pass a Language Proficiency Exam at second-semester level (0-8 credits)

Science Requirements:

  • CHEM 151 General Chemistry I OR CHEM 141/143 (4 credits)
  • CHEM 152 General Chemistry II OR CHEM 142/144 (4 credits)
  • CHEM 241A & 243A, Organic Chemistry I Lecture and Lab (4 credits)
  • CHEM 241B & & 243B, Organic Chemistry II Lecture and Lab (4 credits)
  • MCB 181 R & L, Intro Biology I Lecture and Lab (4 credits)
  • ECOL 182 R & L, Intro Biology II Lecture and Lab (4 credits)
  • PHYS 102 & 181 Physics I Lecture and Lab (4 credits)
  • PHYS 103 & 182 Physics II Lecture and Lab (4 credits)
  • BIOC 384 Foundations in Biochemistry OR BIOC 385 Metabolic Biochemistry (4 credits)

General Education Requirements: 

For students who were admitted during and after the Spring 2022 semester: UNIV 101, Exploring Perspectives, Building Connections, and UNIV 301

  • UNIV 101: Introduction to the General Education Experience (1 Credit)

  • Exploring Perspectives: Artist (3 Credits)

  • Exploring Perspectives: Humanist (3 Credits)

  • Exploring Perspectives: Natural Scientist (fulfilled through the completion of General Chemistry I) (3 Credits) 

  • Exploring Perspectives: Social Scientist (3 Credits)

  • Building Connections (9 Credits)

  • UNIV 301: General Education Portfolio (1 Credit)

For students who were admitted prior to the Spring 2022 semester: Tier I and Tier II General Education Courses

(One course from below also should be designated as a Diversity Emphasis course)

  • Tier I Individuals & Societies (150 A/B/C) (3 credits)

  • Tier I Individuals & Societies (150 A/B/C) (3 credits)

  • Tier I Individuals & Societies (160 A/B/C/D) (3 credits)

  • Tier I Individuals & Societies (160 A/B/C/D) (3 credits)

  • Tier II Individuals & Societies (3 credits)

  • Tier II Arts (3 credits)

  • Tier II Humanities (3 credits)

 

Most of our courses fulfill a prerequisite for many health professional schools.

Students can strategize with their Academic Advisor to choose general education courses that align with their goals and interests.

Electives & Emphasis Areas

As a Physiology and Medical Sciences student, you will have the ability to strategically choose your emphasis area and elective courses to personalize your degree. This allows you to develop your unique skills and engage in experiences that match your specific goals. Work with your Physiology advisor to discuss how to choose options within your emphasis and electives that will set you apart when it comes time to apply for your dream job, or graduate and professional school. Students choose ONE emphasis area and complete 12 units in that emphasis from an approved list of emphasis courses. 

Emphasis Options 

  • Physiology Emphasis 
  • Medical Sciences Emphasis
  • Exercise and Extreme Physiology Emphasis
  • Physiological Research and Innovation Emphasis

Visit our Plans and Curriculum page for more details about the exciting courses offered in each of the emphasis areas. 

 

A minimum of 42 upper-division credits (all courses numbered 300-449) is required. Our major coursework could provide 23 of these credits; however, the remaining 19 credits are up to the student through Tier 2 courses, optional minor or general elective courses.