Undergraduate

Physiology

Learn about the molecular and cellular machinery that makes up your body, how it works in everyday life and what causes disease.
75
ATAR
Course Details Careers & further study Fees & Scholarships Admission requirements How to apply Contact us Enquire Apply

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Address

Student Central

The University of Western Australia (M355), 35 Stirling Highway, Perth, Western Australia 6009

Telephone

131 UWA (131 892)

International

(+61 8) 6488 1000

Email

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Hours

8.30am - 5pm AWST, Monday - Friday

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Careers and further study

This course opens up a world of future study pathways and career opportunities.

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.
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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.
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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.

Career Opportunities

Potential career opportunities include:

  • Clinical Physiologist
  • Health and Safety Officer
  • Medical Technician

Career Opportunities

Fees and scholarships

Learn more about the fees that apply to you for this course. For fee type definitions and further assistance, see the Fee Calculator Help page. You can also search our database for scholarships that are relevant to you or this course

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. More information on how fees are calculated.

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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.

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Cost of living

There are a few things to consider before applying to study at university. One could be your cost of living. This can depend on factors such as lifestyle, accommodation, tuition fees, medical insurance, textbooks and more. For an indication of expenses and average costs, see our Cost of living page.

Cost of living

International Student Fees

Annual course fee
2024
$43,900.00
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.

Find out more about international student tuition fees and visit the fee calculator for the relevant course fees.

Fees are subject to annual indexation.

Fee calculator

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.

Search Scholarships

Cost of living

There are a few things to consider before applying to study at university. One could be your cost of living. This can depend on factors such as lifestyle, accommodation, tuition fees, medical insurance, textbooks and more. For an indication of expenses and average costs, see our Cost of living page.

Cost of living

Admission requirements

The University of Western Australia welcomes applications from international and domestic school-leavers. If you’re interested in studying this major, find out the admission details below.

Minimum entry requirements

Minimum entry requirements

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

Indonesian Sekolah Menengah Atas (SMA) - Pass of 65
  • 75.5
Monash University Foundation Year
  • 254
South Korean College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT)
  • 324
Trinity College Foundation
  • 280
University of Western Australia College (UWAC) Foundation Program
  • 61
Western Australian Universities' Foundation Program (WAUFP)
  • 56
Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE) 2016 onwards
  • 75
Below you’ll find a list of admission equivalencies for this course's Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR).
Indonesian Sekolah Menengah Atas (SMA) - Pass of 65
  • 75.5
Monash University Foundation Year
  • 254
South Korean College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT)
  • 324
Trinity College Foundation
  • 280
University of Western Australia College (UWAC) Foundation Program
  • 61
Western Australian Universities' Foundation Program (WAUFP)
  • 56
Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE) 2016 onwards
  • 75
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Admission requirements

For applicants with recent secondary education, information on admission criteria is available on our entry requirements page or on the UWA Handbook for course specific requirements and prerequisites.

Admission requirements

ADMISSION REQUIREMENT

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.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENT

English competency

How to apply

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Course details

How does your body cope with stresses such as intense exercise, blood loss and dehydration? How does your nervous system respond to the world around you? What happens to your body in stressful environments? This major provides answers to these questions and teaches you how the human body works.

About the course

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.
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About the course

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.
Physiology

Quick details

Status
  • Available
Locations
  • Perth (Crawley campus)
Attendance
  • Full-time
  • Part-time
Delivery
  • On-campus
Starting dates
  • Semester 1, Semester 2
Weekly contact time
  • 16-25 hours teaching time plus your own study time
Level of study
  • Undergraduate
Course Code
  • MJD-PHYGY
Full time/part time duration
  • 3 years (BBiomedSc), 4 years (BBiomedSc[Hons])
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Physiology

Quick details

Status
  • Available
Locations
  • Perth (Crawley campus)
Attendance
  • Full-time
  • Part-time
Delivery
  • On-campus
Starting dates
  • Semester 1, Semester 2
Weekly contact time
  • 16-25 hours teaching time plus your own study time
Level of study
  • Undergraduate
Course Code
  • MJD-PHYGY
Full time/part time duration
  • 3 years (BBiomedSc), 4 years (BBiomedSc[Hons])
Honours Available
  • Yes
Degrees course is available in
  • Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours)
  • Bachelor of Science
  • Bachelor of Biomedical Science

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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.

Popular combinations

Anatomy and Human Biology Anatomy and Human Biology Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Exercise and Health Exercise and Health

Course structure details

Level 1

Core

Take all units (6 points):

Option

Take unit(s) to the value of 12 points:

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 completeMATH1720 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.
Level 2

Core

Take all units (12 points):
Level 3

Core

Take all units (24 points):
Course structure details Other combinations
Alumni Story

Meet Caitlin

Physiology Alumni

Meet Caitlin

Physiology explores the intricate mechanisms of body systems, including the cardiovascular, respiratory, and gastrointestinal systems. At UWA, hands-on laboratory classes provide essential practical skills for evaluating human function, utilising cutting-edge technology from leading industry organisations. We spoke with alumni Caitlin about her career since graduating from UWA.

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.

Why study this course at UWA

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.

You’ll learn to

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.