Undergraduate Programs

Whether you want to make physiology the focus of your degree or complement other areas of study, the Department of Physiology offers a program to meet your needs. The Specialist, Major, and Minor programs all provide a strong foundation in human physiology while offering different levels of depth and flexibility. Please find brief overviews and full details of each program below.

Specialist in Physiology	Major in Physiology	Minor in Physiology
For students who want the most comprehensive study of physiology and are interested in advanced coursework, research opportunities, or preparing for graduate and professional programs.	For students who want a strong foundation in physiology while maintaining the flexibility to combine it with another major or minor.	For students pursuing another primary area of study who want to develop an understanding of human physiology.
Highlights Most in-depth physiology program Extensive upper-year physiology coursework Advanced laboratory and research opportunities Strong preparation for graduate studies and health-related professional programs 14.0 Full Course Equivalents (FCE's) required (see full program requirements below)	Highlights Strong focus on core physiology concepts Upper-year elective opportunities Flexible degree planning Well-suited for interdisciplinary study 8.0 FCE's required (see full program requirements below)	Highlights Flexible program structure Opportunity to explore specialized physiology topics Complements a wide range of life science and health-related programs 4.0 FCE's required (see full program requirements below)

Specialist in Physiology

Major in Physiology

Minor in Physiology

For students who want the most comprehensive study of physiology and are interested in advanced coursework, research opportunities, or preparing for graduate and professional programs.

For students who want a strong foundation in physiology while maintaining the flexibility to combine it with another major or minor.

For students pursuing another primary area of study who want to develop an understanding of human physiology.

Highlights

Most in-depth physiology program
Extensive upper-year physiology coursework
Advanced laboratory and research opportunities
Strong preparation for graduate studies and health-related professional programs
14.0 Full Course Equivalents (FCE's) required (see full program requirements below)

Highlights

Strong focus on core physiology concepts
Upper-year elective opportunities
Flexible degree planning
Well-suited for interdisciplinary study
8.0 FCE's required (see full program requirements below)

Highlights

Flexible program structure
Opportunity to explore specialized physiology topics
Complements a wide range of life science and health-related programs
4.0 FCE's required (see full program requirements below)

Program Details

Specialist Program

The Specialist Program offers in-depth study of Physiology with a strong emphasis on advanced coursework and laboratory experience. It is designed for students who want to focus their degree within the discipline and engage more deeply with upper-year study. This pathway provides a concentrated foundation for advanced study and research.

Specialist Program Requirements

Students must take a total of 14 Full Course Equivalents (FCE's) in Physiology, including at least two 400-series courses.
First year requirements for admittance to the specialist program:
- BIO120H1, BIO130H1, (CHM138H, CHM139H) / CHM151Y1
- Choice of 1.0 FCE from (MAT135H1, MAT136H1) / MAT135H1 / MAT137Y1 / MAT157Y1 / (PHY131H1, PHY132H) / (PHY151H, PHY152H1)
- Average of at least 70% on the above 3 FCE's and a final mark of at least 60% in each course.

Timeline

Year	Requirements	Credits
1	BIO120H, BIO130H CHM135H, CHM136H/CHM151Y PHY131H, PHY132H/PHY151H, PHY152H First year or upper years; MAT135H, MAT136H/MAT137Y/MAT157Y * These courses may be taken in the first year or subsequent years, and are not required for entrance into the specialist program.	4
2	1. BCH210H1; BIO230H1/ BIO255H1; CHM220H1/ CHM247H1/ CHM249H1; PSL300H1, PSL301H1, STA220H1/ STA288H1 2. BIO220H1, BIO260H1/ HMB265H1; MAT235Y1, PHY231H1, PSL299Y1/ PSL399Y1	3.0 1.0
3	1. BCH370H; PSL304H, PSL305H, PSL350H/CSB349H/BCH311H, PSL372H, PSL374H 2. One full-course equivalent from the following list: ANA300Y; ANA301H, BME498Y, CSB325H, CSB332H/CJH332H, CSB343H, CSB345H/CSB445H, CSB346H, CSB347H, IMM340H/ IMM341H, IMM350H/IMM351H; JPM300H, PCL201H, PCL285H, PCL302H; PHY331H; PSL310H, PSL378H/PSL379H; PSY397H	3 1
4	At least 2 FCEs at the 400-level: 1. PSL496Y/PSL497H/PSL498Y/PSL499H/JPM400Y 2. 1-1.5 full course equivalent from PSL400-series or HMB430H/HMB470H/HMB472H	2
	TOTAL FULL COURSE EQUIVALENTS	14

Major in Physiology

The Major Program provides a focused grounding in Physiology alongside greater flexibility to combine studies across other disciplines. Students complete core courses that build a strong understanding of physiological systems while maintaining space for complementary areas of interest. This pathway supports a balanced approach to scientific study within a broader degree.

Major Program Requirements

8 full courses or their equivalent, including 0.5 FCE at the 400-level.

First-year courses: BIO120H, BIO130H, (CHM138H1, CHM139H)/CHM151Y1, and 1.0 FCE from any of the following: MAT135H1, MAT136H1, MAT135H, MAT137Y1, MAT157Y1, PHY131H1, PHY132H1, PHY151H1, PHY152H1 with an average of at least 70% on these 3.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) and a final mark of at least 60% in each course (for admittance into the major program)

Timeline

Year	Requirements	# Credits
1	1. BIO120H, BIO130H; CHM135H, CHM136H/CHM151Y 2. One full course equivalent from: MAT135H, MAT136H, MAT137Y, MAT157Y, PHY131H, PHY132H, PHY151H, PHY152H	2 1
2	BCH210H, BIO230H/BIO255H, PSL300H, PSL301H	2
Higher Years (at least 0.5 at the 400 level)	1. PSL372H, PSL350H/BCH311H/CSB349H 2. One full course equivalent from the following list: ANA300Y, ANA301H, CSB325H, CSB330H, CSB332H/CJH332H, CSB343H, CSB345H/CSB445H, CSB346H, CSB347H, IMM340H/IMM341H, IMM350H/IMM351H; JPM300H, NFS284H, PCL201H, PCL285H, PCL302H, PSY201H; PSY397H; STA220H 3. One full course equivalent from PSL304H, PSL305H, PSL310H, PSL374H, PSL378H/PSL379H, PSL399Y, PSL400-series; HMB430H/HMB470H/HMB472H, JPM400Y	1 1 1
Total Program Courses		8

Minor in Physiology

The Minor Program offers an introduction to key concepts in Physiology through a smaller set of core courses. It is designed to complement study in another major area and provide foundational exposure to how biological systems function. This pathway allows students to add physiological understanding to a broader academic focus.

Minor Program Requirements

4 full courses or their equivalent.

Enrolment in this Program requires the completion of 4 courses. One 300+level FCE must be included in the program

Timeline

Year	Requirements	# Credits
1	(BIO120H1, BIO130H1)/BIO150Y; PSL201Y/(PSL300H1, PSL301H1)	2
2	Two full-course equivalents from: BIO251H1, BIO270H1, BIO271H1; CSB325H1, CSB332H1/CJH332H1, CSB343H1, CSB344H1, CSB345H1/CSB445H1, CSB346H1, CSB347H1, EEB328H1, HMB200H1/HMB220H, HMB430H1, HMB470H1, HMB472H1, PSL280H1, PSL299Y1, PSL300-series (not including PSL300H/PSL301H), PSL400-series; PSY290H1, PSY396H1, PSY397H1, PSY369H/PSY399H1, PSY490H1, PSY492H, PSY494H, PSY497H1	2
Total Program Courses		4 (1 FCE at the 300+ level)

Year

Requirements

# Credits

(BIO120H1, BIO130H1)/BIO150Y; PSL201Y/(PSL300H1, PSL301H1)

Two full-course equivalents from:

BIO251H1, BIO270H1, BIO271H1; CSB325H1, CSB332H1/CJH332H1, CSB343H1, CSB344H1, CSB345H1/CSB445H1, CSB346H1, CSB347H1, EEB328H1, HMB200H1/HMB220H, HMB430H1, HMB470H1, HMB472H1, PSL280H1, PSL299Y1, PSL300-series (not including PSL300H/PSL301H), PSL400-series; PSY290H1, PSY396H1, PSY397H1, PSY369H/PSY399H1, PSY490H1, PSY492H, PSY494H, PSY497H1

Total Program Courses

4 (1 FCE at the 300+ level)