Course details

Summary

The Master of Science (MSc) programme enables you to pursue advanced study in your area of interest with the opportunity to work on independent research.

Programme overview

Studying for an MSc is an opportunity for committed scientists to focus on a relevant area of interest or practise and pursue an advanced qualification. While taught masters will provide you with specialist training in your chosen field, a research masters will develop advanced research skills, working alongside Faculty of Science researchers - many of whom are major contributors in their field.

Physiology

Physiology is a science concerned with explaining how living organisms work. Ultimately, understanding how living organisms work will allow us to understand what goes wrong in disease and provide a rational scientific basis for treatment of disease. Of the biological sciences, Physiology is highly quantitative and has close links with biochemistry, molecular biology, and mathematical modelling, pharmacology as well as zoology and plant biology.

Since the sequencing of the human genome has been completed, the importance of physiology as a discipline has increased dramatically, since the next task is to explain how the inanimate proteins produced by the genetic code are organized and work at the cell and tissue level to enable life to exist. Thus, Physiology is an increasingly important field of study for students interested in any aspect of biology or biomedical sciences.

Career opportunities

Career opportunities which utilise a background in Physiology are as diverse as the discipline itself. Physiology is a foundation subject for the majority of programmes which offer training in the health sciences. A background in Physiology is also useful for a career path associated with servicing New Zealand's rapidly growing healthcare sector.

Finally, a research career in Physiology offers a range of exciting possibilities both here and overseas. As the emphasis of the human genome project is now shifting from gene sequencing to understanding gene function, the demand of the biomedical research community for scientists with a strong background in Physiology will ensure future employment opportunities for those with physiology training. Physiology, as a rigorous, experimental science, has always been important in medical research and drug development.

Requirements: Research Masters

120 points: PHYSIOL 796 MSc Thesis in Physiology

Further study options

Doctor of Philosophy

Other Master of Science (MSc) Subjects

Applied Mathematics, Bioinformatics, Biological Sciences, Biomedical Science, Biosecurity and Conservation, Biotechnology, Chemistry, Clinical Exercise Physiology, Computer Science, Earth Sciences, Environmental Management, Environmental Science, Exercise Sciences, Food Science, Forensic Science, Geography, Geology, Geophysics, Logic and Computation, Marine Science, Mathematics, Medical Statistics, Optometry, Pharmacology, Physics, Psychology, Speech Science, Sport and Exercise Science, Statistics, Wine Science.

Entry criteria

The prerequisite is a BSc(Hons) or PGDipSci in Physiology.

English language requirements: