Human Physiology Careers
What do physiologists do?
Many go on to become medical doctors or other health care professionals; others pursue careers in human physiology research. With an undergraduate degree in Human Physiology, you could be a research assistant, lab technician, clinical trials coordinator, surgical technician, or medical assistant. You could also work as a medical sales representative, as a scientific or medical writer, or in the biotechnology field.
If you continue to graduate school in the clinical sciences, you could become a medical doctor, physician’s assistant, nurse, dentist, or physical therapist. Alternatively, you might pursue your doctorate and head a physiology research program in a university, government, or hospital setting. You could also go into hospital or health care administration, public health, science policy, or work in health or patent law.
Where do physiologists work?
- hospitals and other health care centers
- universities
- medical and dental schools
- private or government research centers
- pharmaceutical companies
- biotechnology industry
What will I like (or dislike) about this work?
- understanding how living processes and systems work
- creativity
- focusing on and solving a problem
- combination of independence and working with others
- approaching problems from both big-picture and detailed perspectives
- working with teams of health professionals on a shared problem
- writing and communicating with others
- helping others to live longer and better lives through biomedical research
How is the job outlook?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook (2016-2017): “Employment of biochemists and biophysicists is projected to grow 11 percent from 2016 to 2026, faster than the average for all occupations. More biochemists and biophysicists are expected to be needed to do basic research that increases scientific knowledge and to research and develop biological products and processes that improve people’s lives.”
What are the educational requirements?
- bachelor degree (minimum)
- master degree for many clinical careers, management, or public health
- PhD to work in a university, private, or government research lab
- MD to practice medicine
- JD to practice patent or health law