Majoring in Cellular and Organismal Physiology
Physiology is one of the foundational disciplines in biology and focuses on understanding how biological systems work. It incorporates concepts and approaches from physics, genetics, and biochemistry. Students studying physiology can work with faculty across the College of Biological Sciences and the University of Minnesota in labs and classes to explore their interest in the function of biological systems. Majoring in cellular and organismal physiology prepares students for professional school programs in medicine, dentistry, and veterinary studies, graduate school in a wide range of biological disciplines, and careers in biotechnology, biological research, and more.
In this major, you'll explore...
- How cells work. Learn how cells generate energy to grow and divide, respond to their environments, communicate, and carry out their specialized tasks; it's the foundation for understanding how life works.
- Life beyond individual cells. Examine how organs and systems, like a plant's vascular tissues, the gills and muscles of a fish, and the human heart and blood vessels, work together to allow organisms to survive and thrive in their environments.
- Solutions to real-world problems. Use your understanding of physiology to explore solutions to challenges such as developing new treatments for infectious diseases, protecting biodiversity in the face of climate change, and feeding the world.
- Cutting-edge technologies and skills. Investigate living cells and organisms using electrophysiology, computational biology, and microscopy in lab courses, and participate in exciting field courses.
- Exciting research opportunities. Complete directed research on a wide range of topics. Recent student projects have examined treatments for white-nose syndrome in bats, the microbiome of cow udders, parasite-immune cell interactions involved in cerebral malaria, how dopamine signaling helps fish learn to swim, and using stem cells to repair nerve injury.
Learn more
Academic program and major requirements
Sample 4-year plan
Career paths
Director of Undergraduate Studies: Dr. Sarah Malmquist | malm0070@umn.edu
