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

Prerequisite Courses to Apply to Advanced Standing
  • 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 122A and Math 122B, OR Math 119A OR Math 125 (3-5 credits)
  • CHEM 151 General Chemistry I OR CHEM 141/143 (4 credits)
  • CHEM 152 General Chemistry II OR CHEM 142/144 (4 credits)
  • PSIO 201 Anatomy & Physiology I (F, S, SSI) (4 credits)
  • PSIO 202 Anatomy & Physiology II (F, S, SSII) (4 credits)

 

Upon fulfillment of the admission criteria stated above, students must submit a formal advanced standing application. Advanced standing is needed prior to enrolling in Physiology and Medical Sciences upper-division courses. The Application for Advanced Standing is available online or may be obtained from the Undergraduate Physiology Major Program Office, Ina Gittings Building, Room 101. 

 

University Requirements, General Education, Math & Science

Additional Math and Second Language Requirements

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

  • 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)

General Education: 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)

Additional Sciences:

  • 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)

All these 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.

Required Upper - Division Physiology Courses

PSIO 303 Integrative Cellular PSIO (Fall only) (3 credits)
PSIO 305 Integrative System PSIO (Spring only) (3 credits)

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.

Electives

Physiology and Medical Sciences students have the ability to strategically choose their elective courses to customize their degree. This opportunity allows you to develop your unique skills and engage in experiences that match your specific goals. Use our curated list of career-specific electives and work with your Physiology advisor to discuss how to choose options that will set you apart when it comes time to apply for your dream job, or graduate and professional school.

Required Major Elective Units

You have the opportunity to choose 22 elective credits from the following lists. You are encouraged to strategize with your Physiology academic advisor and pre-health professions.

Choose courses from the following list: See career electives section below for career-specific course recommendations.
PSIO 101, PSIO 404, PSIO 411, PSIO 420, PSIO 425, PSIO 426, PSIO 427, PSIO 431, PSIO 450, PSIO 452, PSIO 465, PSIO 467, PSIO 469, PSIO 472 PSIO 484, PSIO 485, PSIO 487, PSIO 489, PSIO 497A

Complete 7 additional elective credits.

Choose courses from the following list: See career electives section below for career-specific course recommendations.
PSIO 101, PSIO 404, PSIO 411, PSIO 420, PSIO 425, PSIO 426, PSIO 427, PSIO 431, PSIO 450, PSIO 452, PSIO 465, PSIO 467, PSIO 469, PSIO 472, PSIO 484, PSIO 485, PSIO 487, PSIO 489, PSIO 497A, CMM 401, CMM 410, CMM 425A, CMM 465A, IMB 401, PATH 415, PATH 416, PHCL 412, PHCL 422, PHCL 442, PHCL 450, PSIO 295H, PSIO 391/391H, PSIO 395A, PSIO 395B, PSIO 399/399H/499/499H, PSIO 492, PSIO 495H, PSIO 495K, PSIO 495S, PSIO 495T, PSIO 498H, ANTH 324, BME 477, ECOL 320, FCM 401, MCB 304, MCB 305, MCB 325, MCB 410, MCB 411, NROS 310, NROS 430, NSC 308, NSC 445, NURS 350

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.