Animal Physiology
Overview
Programs in animal physiology teach people about animal functions and bodily processes.Animal physiology programs include topics such as:
- Behavioral adaptation
- Animal reproduction, growth, lactation, and digestion
- Sensory perception
- Biochemistry and biophysics
- Research methodology and statistics
Schools
Very few colleges and universities offer bachelor's degree programs in animal physiology. A bachelor's degree usually takes about four years of full-time study.
A few universities and veterinary schools offer graduate degrees in animal physiology. At a university, this program is most likely part of a graduate zoology program. A master's degree typically requires two years of study beyond a bachelor's degree. Doctoral (PhD) degree programs usually require two or more years of study beyond the master's degree.
See schools that offer this program.
Related Educational Programs
- Entomology
- Fisheries Sciences and Management
- Marine Biology
- Physiology
- Pre-Veterinary Medicine
- Veterinary Medicine
- Veterinary Sciences
- Wildlife Biology
- Zoology and Animal Biology
Related Careers
Careers Directly Related to this Program of Study
Other Careers Related to this Program of Study
Program Admission
You can prepare for this program by taking courses in high school that prepare you for college. This typically includes four years of English, three years of math, three years of social studies, and two years of science. Some colleges also require two years of a second language.
Below is a list of high school courses that will help prepare you for this program of study:
- Advanced Biology courses
- Biology
- Chemistry
- English Composition
- Physics
- Pre-Calculus
Graduate Admissions
Admission to graduate programs is competitive. Requirements will vary depending on if you go to veterinary school or apply to a graduate zoology program. In general, you need a bachelor's degree (usually in biology or animal science), good grades, and good test scores.
Additional requirements at some schools include:
- Graduate Record Exam (GRE) General
- Letters of recommendation
Typical Course Work
Graduate Program Courses
A graduate degree program in animal physiology typically includes courses such as the following (keep in mind that this will differ depending on the department or school in which the program is offered):
- Animal Physiological Chemistry
- Comparative Mammalian Physiology
- Endocrine Secretions
- General Biochemistry
- Introductory Toxicology
- Physiology of Lactation
- Physiology of Reproduction
- Research Methods in Animal Science
- Statistical Methods
In addition, graduate programs typically require the following:
- Thesis (master's degree)
- Preliminary exams (doctoral degree only)
- Dissertation and dissertation defense (doctoral degree)
Things to Know
In a veterinary school you may be able to take a combined PhD/DVM program. This prepares you to be a veterinarian as well as to teach animal physiology in college or do research.
Schools
East Side Area
Washington State University - Pullman
- Veterinary Science