Studies & Degrees in Physiology

Choose where you would like to study Physiology:

One can find many definitions of Physiology. But no matter how complicated the definition is, Physiology deals with one thing and that is function. Physiology is a very interesting field of study because it defines the many mysteries of life. This field of study offers answers and it helps us understands the processes inside our own body as well as the simple things that go unnoticed around us. In studying Physiology, one can comprehend why a specific structure is important to a living organism or why a simple change in the electrolytes in our body can be deadly. There are many branches of Physiology and each contributes to having a better understanding of the potential that each living organism can offer.

Human Physiology dates back to 420 BC, during the time of Hippocrates. Other scientist like Aristotle studied the relationship between a structure and its function while Galen was the first one to use experimentation to learn more about the functions of the different parts of the human body. Many scientists followed their footsteps and through their experimentation and analysis, human physiology evolved.

Plant physiology is another branch that focuses on studying the different plant processes like growth and propagation or reproduction. Just like in human physiology, scientist did a lot of experimentation to be able to know things that are necessary to facilitate growth in plants. They established the necessary nutrients and minerals to assist in plant growth. Nutrient transportation and gas exchange were also explored. Organic and inorganic elements that can influence plants were also studied. This information can be useful to other specialize area of study like agriculture.

There are countless careers to choose from in this field. Being a researcher is one example where a physiologist will have the opportunity to conduct experimentation and discover endless possibilities can lead to rewarding and fulfilling career. Specializing in a specific branch is also an option. Animal physiology will open wonderful path to veterinary science. If agricultural science is your choice, studying plant physiology will help a lot. This will offer the chance to study land resources, prevention of plant diseases and cure as well.

Medical physiology and human physiology are other great fields to venture into. Medical researcher, pathology technician, microbiologist, teacher, and sports specialist are just few of the many careers that you can have. Specializing in pathophysiology will lead to a greater understanding of the different disease processes in man and development of treatment through experimentation which is valuable to all of us.

Physiology is a unique field of study. Because it deals with the function of the structures found in every living organism, it offers a rare chance to probe and experiment on the limitless potential that can be beneficial to us in the future. It can be a new drug or way to increase harvest of certain crops. Physiology does not limit your option career-wise and it offers immense information and knowledge. It is the science of the past, the present, and the future. Every new discovery is an improvement of what was done in the past and still has an impending greatness in the future.

Psychology, to put it simply, is the study of behavior and experience. In other words, this study focuses on explaining how human beings, and likewise animals, perceive, think, learn, and recognize. Psychology is dedicated to collecting facts about behavior, experience, and other relevant individual information and systematically, as in any science, organizing such facts into theories that aid in predicting the potential future behavior of humans.

Psychology, traditionally, is divided into many subfields of study; these fields, however, are interrelated and moreover, normally intersect. Physiological psychology, for one, is the study of how the brain and the nervous system function jointly. Psychologists use this knowledge in experimentation, where they develop tests and researching methods to discover how human beings learn and retain information.

Some subfields in the Psychology program are defined in terms of subjects of application. As an illustration, social psychology is concerned with the ways in which people influence one another and the way they relate when they come together. Industrial psychology, on the other hand, is the study of the behavior of people in the working environment. Likewise, in the school setting, there are also psychologists, or more often called guidance counselors, who are tasked to guide students in their personal, as well as academic, endeavors.

Psychology originated with Plato and Aristotle, among other Greek philosophers, when they addressed some of the basic questions of the science, which are, up to date, continuously being studied. These curiosities included matters on abilities, personality, and the effect of external factors as environment and experience on such.

In contrast to this philosophical background, modern psychology was most influenced by Physiology, which involves the study of the functions of organ systems of the body. This started a different and more scientific perspective for Psychology, where factors such as internal body processes, external environment, and the like, are related to the interpretation of human behavior.

There are several major areas of research in the Psychology program. To cite a few:

• Physiological Psychology, as the name implies, deals with the physiological aspect of an individual’s behavior. The two body systems focused on in this area are the nervous and circulatory systems.

• Conditioning and learning studies in Psychology include the ability of humans to learn, recognize, and retain certain information. Although sometimes also applied to animals, most studies concern cognition of human beings. In this area, the learning curve and likewise the curve of forgetting were established.

• Psychological testing is the area where tests and measurement devices are developed, including the most widely used psychological tool – intelligence testing. Other tools are tests for personality, emotional quotients, interests, just to name a few.

• Abnormal Psychology is the most common notion of Psychology that people have. This area involves the study of human traits and behaviors that deviate from the norm.

• Clinical Psychology includes behavior therapy, where psychologists try to alter the behavior of a patient and take away undesirable symptoms by use of proper conditioning techniques.

The Psychology program enriches students’ skills in research and experimentation. This is why a number of graduates opt to apply in research institutes, where they handle tasks like developing tests and reviewing current ones. Such research may be involved in the private or public sector.

Other graduates move on to careers in the academe, not only as Psychology professors but also as educational or school psychologists. Some choose to in the clinical setting, where often they diagnose, care of, and inhibit cases such as substance abuse, mental disorders, and the like.