Program Overview

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Physiology

Course Description

The Physiology major teaches you how the human body works, from the molecular and cellular levels, to tissues and organs, and explains how these interact together with the environment to produce beneficial results for the organism. You'll also examine diseases and the changes that occur at the molecular and cellular levels and how these impact on whole body function. Through these investigations you'll understand how physiologists contribute to the development of new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies to combat the mechanisms of disease.

Career Opportunities

Potential career opportunities include:

• Clinical Physiologist
• Health and Safety Officer
• Medical Technician

Career Pathways

A Physiology major can lead to careers in the biomedical industry and in research laboratories. There is growing demand for physiology graduates to investigate the action of genes in the body. Physiology graduates are well prepared for a range of professional careers requiring postgraduate study, such as medicine, pharmacy and clinical audiology. Opportunities exist for employment as scientists in commercial organisations or in sales associated with these types of organisations and in public science education. If you have combined your major with qualifications in the area of sport science or exercise and health, you could also find a career in health promotion and fitness.

Further Study

Honours in Physiology is a blend of coursework and research project work designed to introduce you to the world of research. It will equip you with the skills and flexibility of outlook needed to deal with rapidly changing technologies and lead into habits of critical thinking, problem analysis and public presentation, which will serve in any leadership role. The combination of formal study and practical experience offered by Honours in Physiology is suitable preparation for entry into graduate professional courses such as medicine, physiotherapy, audiology, chiropractic, nursing, teaching or forensics, especially for students interested in furthering those fields through research. The honours specialisation also provides a suitable entry-level qualification for careers in reproductive technology, science communication, biomedical research and primatology.

Fees and Scholarships

Domestic Student Fees

For Commonwealth-supported places, student contribution amounts are charged by unit, based on area of study. For a fee estimate, go to the Fee Calculator and select “I want to price my units”. Fees are subject to annual indexation. Refer to the Handbook to identify the units required.

International Student Fees

Annual course fee

2025

$46,300.00

Onshore international students are charged an annual course fee, charged per credit point at a rate dependent on the course in which the student is enrolled. Annual course fees are calculated based on an annual study load. Check the handbook to confirm the annual study load for your course.

Scholarships

Scholarships are available to students from a diverse range of backgrounds, including academic achievement, financial need, educational disadvantage, leadership and community service, artistic or sporting achievements, and being from a rural or remote area.

Admission Requirements

Minimum Entry Requirements

Below you’ll find a list of admission equivalencies for this course's Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR).

• All India Senior School Certificate (CBSE)
  • 9
• Canadian High School (except Quebec)
  • 68
• French Baccalaureate
  • 10
• Gao Kao (PR China NCEE)/750
  • 507
• GCE A-Levels
  • 8
• German Abitur
  • 3.6
• Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education
  • 14
• Indian Senior School Certificate (CISCE)
  • 45
• Indonesian Sekolah Menengah Atas (SMA) - Pass of 65
  • 75.5
• International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB)
  • 24
• Malaysian STPM
  • 10
• Monash University Foundation Year
  • 254
• NCUK Foundation Program
  • 8
• Norwegian Vitnemål
  • 3.5
• Singapore - Cambridge A Levels
  • 6.5
• South African National Senior Certificate
  • 4
• South Korean College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT)
  • 324
• Sweden Slutbetyg
  • 14.5
• Trinity College Foundation
  • 280
• Unified Examination Certificate (UEC)
  • 14
• University of Western Australia College (UWAC) Foundation Program
  • 61
• US College Board Advanced Placements
  • 7
• US College Board SAT
  • 1130
• Western Australian Universities' Foundation Program (WAUFP)
  • 56
• Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE) 2016 onwards
  • 75

English Competency

English is the language of instruction and assessment at UWA and you will need to meet the English language requirements of the University to be eligible for a place.

Minimum overall IELTS score of 6.5, with no band less than 6.0.

How to Apply

The application process to this course is different for the assured and graduate entry pathways, and for international and domestic applicants.

Domestic Pathways

• Domestic Assured Pathway/School Leaver Entry: Applications are lodged via TISC. Refer to TISC Online for current course codes and application deadlines.
• Domestic Graduate Entry: Applications are lodged via GEMSAS, which open and close in accordance with the GEMSAS timeline. All domestic applicants must submit a valid GAMSAT score by the application closing date.

International Pathways

• International Assured Pathway/School Leaver Entry: Applications are lodged via UWA's online application system or via an authorised international education agent.
• International Graduate Entry: Applications are lodged via UWA's online application system or via an authorised international education agent.

Course Structure

Our undergraduate degrees offer you a broad range of options allowing you to combine subjects in a way that matches your career goals and personal interests.

Level 1

• Core
  • Take all units (6 points):
    • PHYL1001 Physiology - How your body works (6)
• Option
  • Take unit(s) to the value of 12 points:
    • ANHB1101 Human Biology I: Becoming Human (6)
    • ANHB1102 Human Biology II: Being Human (6)
    • BIOL1130 Frontiers in Biology (6)
    • SCIE1106 Molecular Biology of the Cell (6)
• Bridging
  • Bridging units must be successfully completed within the first 48 points of study. Students who have not achieved a scaled mark of at least 50 in Mathematics Methods ATAR or equivalent or higher are required to Complete MATH1721 or SCIE1500, (SCIE1500 is recommended). Students who have not achieved a scaled mark of at least 50 in Mathematics Applications ATAR or equivalent or higher are required to complete MATH1720 and either MATH1721 or SCIE1500, (SCIE1500 is recommended). MATH1721 should be taken if also considering majors or minors that require it for progression to level 2 (e.g. Maths, Physics, Chemistry or Computer Science) Students who have not achieved a scaled mark of at least 50 in Chemistry ATAR or equivalent or higher are required to complete CHEM1003.
  • CHEM1003 Introductory Chemistry (6)
  • MATH1720 Mathematics Fundamentals (6)
  • MATH1721 Mathematics Foundations: Methods (6)
  • SCIE1500 Analytical Methods for Scientists (6)

Level 2

• Core
  • Take all units (12 points):
    • PHYL2002 Cellular Physiology (6)
    • SSEH2260 Exercise Physiology (6)

Level 3

• Core
  • Take all units (24 points):
    • PHYL3001 Experimental Physiology (6)
    • PHYL3002 Clinical Physiology (6)
    • PHYL3003 Nutritional and Metabolic Physiology (6)
    • PHYL3004 Extreme Environmental Physiology (6)

Why Study This Course at UWA

• UWA is ranked 1st in WA for Anatomy and Physiology (QS 2024)
• Learn from internationally recognised lecturers who are passionate about advancing physiological research
• Hands-on laboratory classes help develop essential practical skills for the physiological evaluation of human function using the latest technology from leading industry groups or organisations.

You’ll Learn to

• recall and integrate key knowledge and concepts about the function of cells, tissues and organs and how their function is coordinated
• explain physiological phenomena with reference to underlying physicochemical processes
• explain and perform measurements of physiological systems including respiratory, cardiovascular, neuromuscular, digestive, renal systems and more
• design and conduct experiments to determine the mechanisms underpinning normal physiological function and how these are altered under environmentally stressful conditions.

Your Degree Options

This major is offered as a degree-specific, or first, major for these degrees. It is also offered as a second major in our other bachelor's degrees.

• Bachelor of Philosophy
• Bachelor of Science
• Bachelor of Biomedical Science