Biological and Biomedical Sciences
Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences
Focuses on the scientific study of the functional dynamics, morphology, and biochemical and biophysical communications within organisms and between living systems at all levels of complexity and integration. Covers reproduction, growth, hormonal action, vascular function, respiration, digestion, sensory perception and processing, sensorimotor integration, signal encoding and conveyance, homeostasis, physical function and malfunction, evolutionary physiology, and disease processes.
Inside the major
Programs within this field
Colleges may offer this field under 13 more specific program names. The program you choose affects the courses you take.
- Physiology, General
- Focuses on the scientific study of the functional dynamics, morphology, and biochemical and biophysical communications within organisms and between living systems at all levels of complexity and integration. Covers reproduction, growth, hormonal action, vascular function, respiration, digestion, sensory perception and processing, sensorimotor integration, signal encoding and conveyance, homeostasis, physical function and malfunction, evolutionary physiology, and disease processes.
- Molecular Physiology
- Focuses on the scientific study of dynamic interactive processes and biochemical communications at the subcellular level. Covers ion channels and transporters, molecular signaling pathways, endocrine control and regulation, genetic information transfer, homeostasis and molecular control systems, electrophysiology and sensory mechanisms, protein synthesis, and applicable research methods and technologies.
- Cell Physiology
- Focuses on the scientific study of physiological processes operating within and among cells, and intracellular communication and behavior, in the context of larger systems and whole organisms. Covers cell and molecular biology, molecular physiology, cell cycle control, signal transduction, protein structure, membrane biochemistry and structure, ion channel physics, cell respiration and digestion, secretory functions, cell adhesion and communication, information encoding and decoding, and the relation of cell physiology to tissue, organ, and organismic functioning.
- Endocrinology
- Focuses on the scientific study of the composition, manufacture, and secretion of protein compounds by cells and glands and the role of endocrine substances in bodily processes. Covers protein chemistry, protein secretion, membrane biogenesis and transfer methods, cellular communication, gene and cell regulation, cytochemistry, fractionation, radioautography, and applications such as neuroendocrinology.
- Reproductive Biology
- Focuses on the scientific study of reproductive processes and biogenesis in animals and human beings. Covers reproductive ecology and behavior, reproductive system physiology, endocrinology, developmental biology, neuroendocrinology, evolution and types of reproductive systems, reproductive genetics, physiopathology of reproductive processes, and applications of molecular biology and biophysics to the study of reproductive physiology.
- Cardiovascular Science
- Focuses on the scientific study of the structure and functioning of the heart, vascular system, and blood in animals and human beings and the disorders and diseases associated with the cardiovascular system. Covers cardiovascular physiology, blood physiology, vasculature, vascular metabolism, neural control of cardiovascular function, microvascular permeability and membrane transport, cardiac contraction mechanisms, homeostasis, and applications to topics such as arteriosclerosis, heart disease, diabetes, vascular remodeling, transplantation, transfusion, and pacemakers and artificial organs.
- Exercise Physiology and Kinesiology
- Focuses on the scientific study of the physiological processes involved in physical or motor activity, including sensorimotor interactions, response mechanisms, and the effects of injury, disease, and disability. Covers muscular and skeletal anatomy; molecular and cellular basis of muscle contraction; fuel utilization; neurophysiology of motor mechanics; systemic physiological responses (respiration, blood flow, endocrine secretions, and others); fatigue and exhaustion; muscle and body training; physiology of specific exercises and activities; physiology of injury; and the effects of disabilities and disease.
- Vision Science/Physiological Optics
- Focuses on the scientific study of vision, visual processes, and related phenomena and clinical research and treatment modalities. Covers ocular anatomy and physiology, microbiology of the eye, electrophysiology, neurophysiology, corneal physiology, photochemistry, psychophysics, visual biophysics and motor systems, sensory mechanisms and photoreception, eye circulation and metabolism, geometric and physical optics, ocular development across the life span, visual stimuli and perception, color vision, eye motility, biometrics and measurement techniques, visual pathology, and environmental issues.
- Pathology/Experimental Pathology
- Focuses on the scientific study of the expression, initiation, maintenance and progression of tissue injury and disease, including death, and the relationship of pathogenesis to fundamental molecular and cellular mechanisms. Covers immunology, microbiology, gene expression, inflammation, cell injury, apoptosis, immunopathology, molecular markers of disease and toxins, neoplasia, growth regulation, and organ- and system-specific investigations.
- Oncology and Cancer Biology
- Focuses on the scientific study of carcinogens; the onset of malignancy in cells, tissues, blood, and organs; the genetics of cancer; the anatomy and physiology of cancer cells; and the study of cancer behaviors and treatments. Covers gene expression; oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes; viral genes and cancer proliferation; regulation of signal transduction; cancer proteins; hormonal and growth factors in cancer cells; tumor promotion, progression, and metastasis; carcinogen receptors and metabolism; carcinogen ecology; immunological targeting; and studies of genetic, chemical, radiologic and other treatment therapies.
Where it can lead
Careers this field can lead to
Explore related careers, starting with the closest connections and the occupations hiring the most people.
Growing fast
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists
- Median pay
- $103,410
- Hiring change through 2035
- 12.6%
- Job openings a year
- 10,500
To get hiredDoctoral or professional degree
Explore this career GrowingBiological Science Teachers, Postsecondary
- Median pay
- $84,620
- Hiring change through 2035
- 7.3%
- Job openings a year
- 4,700
To get hiredDoctoral or professional degree
Explore this career Growing fastHealth Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary
- Median pay
- $107,310
- Hiring change through 2035
- 17.9%
- Job openings a year
- 24,900
To get hiredDoctoral or professional degree
Explore this career GrowingNatural Sciences Managers
- Median pay
- $167,220
- Hiring change through 2035
- 8.2%
- Job openings a year
- 9,200
To get hiredBachelor's degree
Explore this career Growing with the economyBiological Scientists, All Other
- Median pay
- $98,920
- Hiring change through 2035
- 4.7%
- Job openings a year
- 4,300
To get hiredBachelor's degree
Explore this career Growing fastBiochemists and Biophysicists
- Median pay
- $127,410
- Hiring change through 2035
- 12.3%
- Job openings a year
- 2,900
To get hiredDoctoral or professional degree
Explore this career Growing fastExercise Physiologists
- Median pay
- $59,460
- Hiring change through 2035
- 12.8%
- Job openings a year
- 1,400
To get hiredBachelor's degree
Explore this careerAll work is projected to grow 3.5% between 2025 and 2035; read every hiring-change figure against it. The figures beside each career are the pay of that work, across everyone doing it. Graduates of this field earn $25,717 one year after completing the program, which is the start of a career rather than the shape of one.
Working style
How and where the work happens
Related careers can feel very different from one another. Compare the specific occupations to understand the work each one involves.
2%of related openings involve substantial in-person or active work
Few of the careers connected to this field are measured as substantially in-person or active work. Compare the specific occupations to see how much time each one involves with people, equipment, and movement.
College options
Where to study it
Ordered by how many degrees each college awards in this field. Sort by any numbered column.
| College | Degrees a year | Earnings, first year out | Admit rate | Average annual cost after aid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Colorado Boulder CO | 351 | $30,428 | 83% | $19,000 |
| Texas Tech University TX | 314 | — | 71% | $17,000 |
| University of Minnesota-Twin Cities MN | 310 | $30,300 | 77% | $10,000 |
| Brigham Young University UT | 302 | $20,739 | 69% | $13,000 |
| University of Arizona AZ | 274 | $21,288 | 86% | $16,000 |
| University of Florida FL | 223 | $18,077 | 24% | $7,000 |
| University of California-Los Angeles CA | 216 | $16,804 | 9% | $10,000 |
| University of Oregon OR | 212 | $26,862 | 85% | $18,000 |
| University of Utah UT | 206 | — | 87% | $14,000 |
| Auburn University AL | 204 | $27,192 | 50% | $21,000 |
| Florida State University FL | 191 | $20,423 | 25% | $10,000 |
| University of South Carolina-Columbia SC | 190 | $23,103 | 61% | $20,000 |
| University of Massachusetts-Amherst MA | 169 | $32,667 | 58% | $13,000 |
| West Virginia University WV | 162 | $22,430 | 86% | $14,000 |
| Brigham Young University-Idaho ID | 159 | $23,738 | 97% | $6,000 |
| University of North Carolina at Charlotte NC | 156 | — | 80% | $14,000 |
| Boise State University ID | 141 | — | 84% | $21,000 |
| Washington State University WA | 136 | — | 85% | $12,000 |
| Kansas State University KS | 135 | $25,485 | 79% | $15,000 |
| University of Washington-Seattle Campus WA | 125 | $29,036 | 43% | $8,000 |
| Sacred Heart University CT | 124 | — | 68% | $42,000 |
| East Carolina University NC | 121 | $24,742 | 90% | $15,000 |
| Michigan State University MI | 115 | $21,826 | 84% | $17,000 |
| University of South Alabama AL | 112 | — | 65% | $16,000 |
| University of California-Davis CA | 112 | $34,098 | 42% | $12,000 |
| University at Buffalo NY | 107 | $25,476 | 69% | $21,000 |
| Purdue University-Main Campus IN | 95 | — | 50% | $9,000 |
| Eastern Washington University WA | 93 | $25,717 | 92% | $12,000 |
| Boston University MA | 92 | $31,920 | 11% | $12,000 |
| Marquette University WI | 87 | $32,585 | 87% | $27,000 |
| Creighton University NE | 80 | — | 72% | $23,000 |
| University of Toledo OH | 75 | — | 95% | $16,000 |
| University of Colorado Colorado Springs CO | 68 | $26,703 | 97% | $12,000 |
| University of Wyoming WY | 62 | $19,870 | 97% | $10,000 |
| Wichita State University KS | 60 | — | 95% | $14,000 |
| Ohio University-Main Campus OH | 59 | $28,600 | 85% | $19,000 |
| Gettysburg College PA | 58 | $28,547 | 48% | $21,000 |
| Rice University TX | 57 | — | 8% | $3,000 |
| College of Charleston SC | 56 | $26,156 | 72% | $17,000 |
| Gonzaga University WA | 50 | $28,013 | 76% | $25,000 |