Cellular and Physiological Sciences
About Cellular and Physiological Sciences
Physiology explores the basis of life. Physiologists view life from the simplest to the most complex levels of organization--from the subcellular to the whole person. For example, they research the male and female reproductive systems, the process of birth, and the physiology of the fetus and newborn. Some physiologists study neurophysiology in an attempt to unravel mysteries of the brain with respect to control of eye and limb movements and the neural control of circulation. Others do cardiovascular research including the study of normal and abnormal heart rhythms, mechanisms of contraction of the heart, age-related changes in heart function, and the influence of the kidney in the control of blood pressure. Physiologists that study cellular physiology examine how the stomach is protected from its own acid, how nerve and muscle cells communicate with each other, how bone cells make and break down bone, and how various hormones are produced, secreted, and are involved in controlling cell function. Physiology provides the basic information for understanding the normal function of the body, explains how normal function may be altered in pathological conditions, and provides insight for developing strategies to manage and treat various diseases and conditions.
Program Details
Physiology at UBC is a popular program and students need relatively strong marks to get into the program. Students must apply for acceptance at the end of their second year. There are a number of prerequisites and minimum grade requirements necessary for entry into the program.
Skills
- Application of an in-depth understanding of the human body, spanning from a histological level to gross anatomy and physiology
- Interdisciplinary approach to observing and exploring life and health sciences
- Development and execution of research proposals and experimental design
- Research and laboratory techniques with consistent application of safety protocols
- Laboratory report writing and presentation
- Mock clinical testing in physiology labs, including usage of technology and tests for electrocardiograms, spirometry, and oral glucose tolerance
- Technical biochemistry lab techniques using PCR, gel electrophoresis, UV spectrophotometry, and protein assays
Programs offered
- Major Cellular, Anatomical and Physiological Sciences
- Co-op
Resources
Career Options
With an undergraduate degree
- Anatomical pathology technologist
- Bacteriological technician
- Biology laboratory technologist
- Cancer research technician
- Clinical research associate
- Clinical trials coordinator
- Forensic laboratory technician
- Health educator
- Laboratory manager
- Medical and clinical laboratory technologist
- Pharmaceutical quality control manager
- Renal technician
- Scientific writer
With additional study
- Anatomist
- Bioinformatician
- Biologist
- Biostatistician
- Cardiologist
- Cell biologist
- Cellular physiologist
- Cytologist
- Dentist
- Developmental biologist
- Doctor
- Geneticist
- Heath care researcher
- Health policy research analyst
- Infectious disease specialist
- Medical doctor
- Microbiologist
- Molecular geneticist
- Neurologist
- Parasitologist
- Oncologist
- Physiologist
- Physiotherapist
- Professor
- Virologist
UBC Science Cellular and Physiological Sciences Graduates Work As
- Medical Student, University of British Columbia
- Graduate Student in Community Health & Epidemiology, Dalhousie University
- Medical Student, Queen's University
- Research Assistant, UBC Biomedical Research Centre
- Master of Physical Therapy Candidate, University of British Columbia
- Dentist, Emerald Park Dentistry