Course details

Summary

The Bachelor of Science (BSc) is a three-year undergraduate degree which enables each student to develop his or her own interests in a science subject (science major) and related subjects. Students have the flexibility to combine their major subject with other science subjects, as well as subjects from other disciplines across the University.

In Physiology you study how animals function; how they move, digest, excrete, reproduce, circulate their blood, breathe and survive in different surroundings; and how their nervous systems detect, interpret and learn. At Otago there is particular emphasis on how the human body functions. The study of individual organs, their cells and membranes incorporates the related disciplines of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology.

Medical, dental, veterinary and agricultural sciences depend on a sound background in Physiology, as do the vocational training courses for Medicine, Dentistry, Physical Education, Physiotherapy, Medical Laboratory Science and Pharmacy.

The present explosion of advances in the health sciences in which Physiology plays a central unifying, integrative role, reflects the increasing excitement in the discovery of unsuspected new ideas and processes.

Programme Requirements

100-level

HUBS 191 Human Body Systems 1

HUBS 192 Human Body Systems 2

At least two of:

BIOC 192 Foundations of Biochemistry

CELS 191 Cell and Molecular Biology

CHEM 191 The Chemical Basis of Biology and Human Health

PHSI 191 Biological Physics

200-level

PHSL 231 Neurophysiology

PHSL 232 Cardiovascular and Respiratory Physiology

PHSL 233 Cellular, Gastrointestinal and Renal Physiology

300-level

Four of:

PHSL 341 Molecular, Cellular and Integrative Neurophysiology (I)

PHSL 342 Molecular, Cellular and Integrative Neurophysiology (II)

PHSL 343 Cellular and Epithelial Physiology

PHSL 344 Cardiovascular Physiology

PHSL 345 Physiological Aspects of Health and Disease

Plus

162 further points; must include 54 points at 200-level or above.

Up to 90 points may be taken from outside Science

Total 360

Bachelor of Science with Honours (BSc(Hons)) is also available.

A specific aim of the Bachelor of Science with Honours (BSc(Hons)) degree is to develop advanced theoretical and research skills and in so doing to provide a platform for an advanced professional or academic career.

Entry criteria

The minimum requirement for students is the completion of a high school qualification plus satisfactory completion of one year's study at an approved tertiary institution or successful completion New Zealand Foundation Year programme.

We also accept the following International qualifications: International Baccalaureate: IB Diploma with a minimum of 26 points; GCE Advanced Levels: minimum grade of 8.

English Language Requirements:

IELTS score of 6.0 in the academic module (with no individual band below 6.0); Internet-based TOEFL Score of 80 (writing 20); Paper-based TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score of 550 (TWE 4.5); CIE Cambridge International Examinations Grade E or better in AS English; Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) - Overall score of 176 (with no individual band below 169); Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE) - Overall score of 176 (with no individual band below 169); GCE 'A' Level or 'AS' Level English Language or English Literature - grade C or higher; GCE 'AS' Level General Paper (English) - grade C or higher; APIEL (Advanced Placement International English Language) Examination - grade 3 or higher; IB International Baccalaureate - English at Higher or Standard level in Language A: literature, Language A: language and literature, or at Higher level in Language B; Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic - Overall score of 58 with no communicative skills score below 50.