When pursuing a degree in physiology, your options for future career paths may seem open-ended. As one of the core biological sciences, physiology provides you with a foundation of knowledge and skills valuable in many areas of science and healthcare.
However, you may be wondering – what specific jobs and career opportunities exist that leverage a physiology degree?
In this blog post, we will explore several common career paths and jobs that someone with a Bachelor’s or advanced degree in physiology can pursue. By the end, you should have a solid understanding of the diverse and impactful work available for physiology graduates.
But first, let’s start with an overview of what physiology is all about.
What is Physiology?
Physiology is the scientific study of normal mechanisms, functions and interactions in living systems and organisms. The human body in particular is a central focus area.
Physiology aims to understand how all of the different biological systems in the body – such as the circulatory, respiratory, and nervous systems – function together to keep us alive and functioning properly every day.
Physiology draws from various fields of biology including anatomy, biochemistry, molecular biology, and genetics. Physiologists use techniques like human and animal testing, microscopy, and modeling to analyze functions at the molecular, cellular, tissue, organ, and organism system levels.
Their work supports research into diseases and contributes to healthcare applications like drug development, surgery techniques, and exercise science recommendations.
A degree in physiology equips you with a versatile skill set including strong biological and biochemical foundations, laboratory techniques, data analysis abilities, and aptitude for critical thinking and problem-solving related to health and disease.
Let’s now explore some paths you could take professionally with this background:
Jobs You Can Get with a Physiology Degree
Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Industry Jobs
One major sector open to physiology graduates is the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry. Companies in this space rely on physiological understanding to support development of medical products. Opportunities include:
- Research Associate/Scientist: Contribute to drug discovery research by designing and conducting experiments, analyzing physiological effects, and evaluating potential new therapeutics.
- Clinical Research Associate: Help coordinate and run clinical trials, ensuring proper physiological testing and safety protocols are followed with human subjects.
- Product Development Specialist: Use physiology knowledge to aid engineering and design of medical devices, equipment, and other tools based on how the human body functions.
- Regulatory Affairs Specialist: Review physiological data and help demonstrate product safety/efficacy to regulatory bodies like the FDA for approval purposes.
For example, Maria studied physiology and now works as a research scientist at a major pharmaceutical firm. She designs animal studies to study the effects of experimental diabetes drugs on organ function, metabolism, and more. The data she generates helps advance drug development programs.
Healthcare and Clinical Jobs
Another expansive career sector involves direct patient healthcare utilizing physiology skills. Consider roles like:
- Physician/Surgeon: Pursue further study through medical or osteopathic school to become a doctor. Physicians diagnose and treat diseases using foundational physiological understanding.
- Physician Assistant/Nurse Practitioner: Earn a master’s as a PA or NP to assess, treat, and counsel patients under physician supervision with an emphasis on functions of the human body.
- Physical/Occupational Therapist: Help patients regain movement/functionality through rehabilitative exercise programs tailored to physiology. May need a DPT/MOT post-bachelor’s degree.
- Dietitian/Nutritionist: Leverage understanding of digestion, metabolism and nutrient processing to provide medical and general nutrition advice.
As an example, Peter earned his physiology BA then went to PA school. He now works in a cardiology practice, conducting patient exams, interpreting test results based on cardiovascular system workings, and assisting cardiologists in procedures.
University Research and Academia
Physiology is a central part of the life sciences research underway at universities. Degree holders are qualified for many on-campus opportunities:
- Graduate student conducting own supervised research projects
- Postdoctoral researcher contributing to professor-led labs
- Lab technician supporting hands-on research experiments
- Professor/lecturer teaching physiology courses at the college level
Additionally, physiology expertise positions one well for science communication roles explaining complex biological topics. These may include:
- Science writer/journalist covering latest physiology studies
- University communications officer distributing research findings
- Textbook author developing educational physiology materials
For instance, Dr. Emilia received her PhD in physiology studying muscle cell energy systems. She now works as a professor, instructing students and authoring an anatomical physiology textbook used nationwide.
Biomedical Engineering Industry
Translating physiological science into medical technology designs is a growing application area. Possible roles include:
- Product engineer creating devices that interface with human biology based on organ system mechanisms
- QA/validation specialist ensuring equipment functions as intended physiologically
- R&D project manager overseeing new prototypes based on target physiological effects
- Applications specialist training medical workers on machines’ physiological principles
As one example, Sarah used her physiology background in a biomedical engineering master’s program. She now leads the team developing an artificial pancreas at a medical device manufacturer.
Sport Science and Health Fields
Areas involving exercise, fitness and wellbeing also value physiology knowledge. Consider jobs such as:
- Fitness instructor creating routines optimized for different body systems functioning
- Sports trainer advising athletes on dietary/supplement approaches based on metabolism
- Kinesiologist researching injury prevention strategies considering muscle/joint biomechanics
- Health educator at non-profits promoting physiological understanding for preventative care
John, for instance, earned certifications as a personal trainer after graduating with a physiology degree. He now operates his own gym developing evidence-based workouts aligned with clients’ health conditions.
Other Paths for Physiology Graduates
Those are some of the most direct career paths where physiology training and problem-solving skills prove applicable. But the versatile skill set you develop can also take you down less traditional routes including:
- Medical sales representative marketing products by explaining physiological nuances to doctors
- Science journalist/communicator simplifying major physiological findings for public audiences
- Patent agent leveraging biological knowledge assisting with IP applications
- Nonprofit work supporting disease research advocacy or general science education initiatives
The sky’s the limit in terms of applying your physiology degree in creative, impactful ways. W
Conclusion
As you can see, a degree in physiology prepares you for diverse career paths across several booming industries from biotech and pharmaceuticals to clinical care, university research, engineering, and more.
No matter which direction you eventually take, the skills developed through studying human function and systems will remain invaluable. With our aging population driving medical advances, fields connected to physiology like drug development and regenerative medicine are only growing more important.
Your versatile training provides a strong foundation for navigating this evolving landscape of science and healthcare. Whether pursuing further education or entering the workforce directly, be confident physiology can take your career in impactful directions helping improve people’s lives through a deeper understanding of how the amazing human body works.
FAQ
Q: What areas of physiology are most in demand?
A: Fields involving drug development and testing often look for candidates with expertise in areas like cardiovascular, digestive, or neurological physiology.
Roles in biomechanics or exercise science favor specialists in muscle, bone, or respiratory physiology. Clinical roles appreciate professionals knowledgeable in all organ systems. Overall though, physiology degrees provide transferable skills employers value in many sectors.
Q: Do I need a graduate degree for certain physiology jobs?
A: Many career paths like becoming a physician, PA, PT, or working in drug R&D positions at higher levels do require further education beyond a bachelor’s. However, a graduate degree is not mandatory for all physiology roles.
Many biotech, medical technology, or regulatory affairs openings can be accessed with a bachelor’s and suitable experience. The most direct clinical roles do necessitate further professional health training at the master’s level or higher though.
Q: What can I do with a physiology minor instead of a full major?
A: A physiology minor paired with another major can still bolster applications to health professional programs by supplementing core concepts. It also complements degrees in kinesiology, biology, biochemistry or related fields adding physiological expertise for certain jobs there.
Areas like medical sales, regulatory compliance or science communications could be possible with a minor showing passion and aptitude for human biology. Overall, a minor demonstrates valuable knowledge for career paths intersecting scientific and medical spheres.