Overview

Understanding how the body actually works, from individual molecules through to whole-body responses, sits at the heart of modern medicine and biomedical research. The BSc (Hons) Physiological Science at the University of Bristol takes students through the major mammalian body systems in depth, starting with core systems such as the cardiovascular, respiratory and nervous systems before moving to a more integrated study of physiology in later years. Teaching is delivered by staff active in current research on topics such as neurological disorders and cardiovascular health, and the course allows students to broaden into complementary areas including pharmacology, anatomy and psychology. It suits students who want a genuinely research-led route into physiology, with real scope to pursue their own scientific interests by the final year.

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What You'll Learn

• The physiology of major body systems, including cardiovascular, respiratory and nervous systems

• An integrated approach to physiology, covering topics such as exercise demands and memory formation

• Complementary biomedical subjects, including pharmacology, anatomy and psychology

• Current research on topics such as neurological and psychiatric disorders and cardiovascular health

• Physiological responses across scales, from the molecular level to whole-body systems

• Research methods spanning laboratory work, computational approaches and literature review

• A self-directed research project in an area of personal or career interest

• Opportunities for intercalation alongside the standard course structure

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Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, students will be able to explain how major mammalian body systems function, from molecular mechanisms through to integrated whole-body responses. They will be equipped to draw on complementary knowledge in areas such as pharmacology, anatomy and psychology to understand physiology within a broader biomedical context. Through an independent research project, students will develop strong scientific investigation skills, whether through laboratory work, computational methods or critical literature analysis. Graduates will leave with a thorough, research-informed understanding of physiology and the flexible scientific skill set needed for further study, including graduate medicine, or a career in biomedical and healthcare research, teaching or management.