Any physiology majors?

[GregoryMD]

---

Members do not see this ad.

It seems like a rather rare major for pre-meds in the general sense, but it's a pretty popular major at my university (U of Arizona). Just wanted to hear opinions on what they think of a physiology undergrad degree. I chose it over the traditional science majors like Bio, Chem, Biochem, etc because well....I've never been more certain about wanting to be a doctor, so I want to learn pertinent information to that. Sure the basic sciences are fundamentals, but those are pre-med requirements anyway. But having upper-division courses in Immunology, Pathology, Cardiovascular Cell Physiology, Endocrine system physiology seems a lot more useful for undergrad studies than just more advanced topics in Biology and such.

And it's a lot more useful than those gimmicky "pre-med" majors that serve no purpose other than undergrad schools taking 40 grand from you so you get your med school pre-reqs out of the way.

Win-win? Why is it that this major isn't more common throughout the country?

 

[orthomyxo]

I didn't even know there was a such thing...it sounds pretty awesome though. I'd take it if I could.

 

[GregoryMD]

I didn't even know there was a such thing...it sounds pretty awesome though. I'd take it if I could.

I think on the department's website for my school, only like 10-20 universities in the country have such a major. But it's a really in-depth major, and it's physically taught by U of A's College of Medicine, so a lot of the professors are the same ones from the Med school.

Of course during orientation they had to slam it into our heads that the major isn't a "golden ticket into medical school" and that most people fail out of the major since it's a bit harder than traditional majors. But the difficulty doesn't set me off, because it's actually topics I want to learn.

 

[BlitzSleep]

I would have picked physiology major over biochem.

 

[Slack3r]

I think on the department's website for my school, only like 10-20 universities in the country have such a major. But it's a really in-depth major, and it's physically taught by U of A's College of Medicine, so a lot of the professors are the same ones from the Med school.

Of course during orientation they had to slam it into our heads that the major isn't a "golden ticket into medical school" and that most people fail out of the major since it's a bit harder than traditional majors. But the difficulty doesn't set me off, because it's actually topics I want to learn.

Weird, I think PSIO is really easy. Maybe that's just me though. I do like that the College of Medicine is the department that grants the degree, and it will show up on your diploma. But yea, UA is one of very few schools with the major.

 

[GregoryMD]

Weird, I think PSIO is really easy. Maybe that's just me though. I do like that the College of Medicine is the department that grants the degree, and it will show up on your diploma. But yea, UA is one of very few schools with the major.

I was just going off of what the advisers said during orientation. I'm not quite taking upper division classes yet. Are they really that easy?

 

[MexicanDr]

I wish I would have majored in the Anatomy/Physiology Concentration my school has..

 

[deleted202457]

ha. my school doesn't have anything cool. just plain ol' biology and chemistry :/

 

[Slack3r]

I was just going off of what the advisers said during orientation. I'm not quite taking upper division classes yet. Are they really that easy?

Well, anat/psio are just easy for me. I struggled incredibly during physics and didn't apply myself enough in chem. But I think my upper division PSIO classes are easier for me than any of my other science courses. I don't regret my PSIO major though, it helped me quite a few times during my MCAT bio section.

 

[alohakaoha]

I majored in Physiology at the University of Minnesota, and I have to agree that it was more useful as a pre-med than a "traditional" major. A lot of the professors also teach at the medical school too (though I'm pretty sure I'm getting straight up rejected there) It definitely helped having a strong physiology background on the MCAT.

 

[mybubbles14]

I wish my school had more physiology courses. I think we only had one...I'm currently taking a grad phys course and I actually really love it. I majored in anatomy and really liked it b/c I got to take a lot of great courses including dissection of the lower extremities...hopefully it will make gross anatomy more manageable next year.

I would've majored in physiology if we had that option...but my school was really big on flowery weird sounding majors that don't really help if you're out in the job market and not headed towards graduate school.

 

[tennisball80]

Take a look here.

http://www.physiology.arizona.edu/

 

[marele86]

http://catalog.arizona.edu/2009-10/courses/094/PSIO.html

WOW... I'm jealous.

So with this system, you guys can take entire courses over cardiac physiology, muscle physiology, environmental physiology, reproductive phys, motor control, and vision?

Dude, I have a Neurobiology major (the closest major to phys that my school has), and there are still only 2 courses that are specific to neural physiology - and they covered the exact same material. There is one other generic physiology class, and immunology. That's IT.

I don't care if I'm almost done with my senior year.. I feel cheated! I want to go to Arizona now! 😛

 

[GregoryMD]

http://catalog.arizona.edu/2009-10/courses/094/PSIO.html

WOW... I'm jealous.

So with this system, you guys can take entire courses over cardiac physiology, muscle physiology, environmental physiology, reproductive phys, motor control, and vision?

Dude, I have a Neurobiology major (the closest major to phys that my school has), and there are still only 2 courses that are specific to neural physiology - and they covered the exact same material. There is one other generic physiology class, and immunology. That's IT.

I don't care if I'm almost done with my senior year.. I feel cheated! I want to go to Arizona now! 😛

I know, I'm going through hell just waiting to get to those upper division classes. I even tried asking my advisers to let me into anatomy and physiology this year (my freshman year, even though it is reserved for sophomores and up) so I can get my pre-reqs out of the way for the major and start my upper divisions a year early. No such luck =/

 

[Slack3r]

I know, I'm going through hell just waiting to get to those upper division classes. I even tried asking my advisers to let me into anatomy and physiology this year (my freshman year, even though it is reserved for sophomores and up) so I can get my pre-reqs out of the way for the major and start my upper divisions a year early. No such luck =/

I thought you could take 201/202 as a freshman? I'm pretty sure I did. I'd talk to Nancy Banks and get that figured out, might as well get it out the way early.

 

[GregoryMD]

I thought you could take 201/202 as a freshman? I'm pretty sure I did. I'd talk to Nancy Banks and get that figured out, might as well get it out the way early.

Well my adviser said it's possible, but rare because of priority registrations. Plus I need clearance from the PSIO department. They said I'd have a better chance of getting into 201 second semester as most sophomores are taking 202 in the spring. I got an appointment with my adviser in a few weeks, I'll ask him about it, since I want to take 201 this coming semester. If I can get it, I can probably get admitted into the major my second semester sophomore year, since I'll have my english, math, chem, and psio pre-reqs done.

 

[Slack3r]

If you have the guy advisor, I would recommend seeing someone else. He's worthless.

 

[GregoryMD]

If you have the guy advisor, I would recommend seeing someone else. He's worthless.

I have Bill Lesho. Isn't there like two guys and one woman? And the woman is on maternity leave I think. Besides, its based off our last names.

The other guy (Not my adviser) was a dick to me during orientation. I showed up to the physiology meeting like 5 minutes late because one of the orientation leaders led me to the wrong place. When I had to sign some paper, I asked him if he had a pen and he said to me, "Are you gonna bring a pen on the first day of class?"

No jackass, Of course I won't be prepared for class... What kind of stupid question was that?

Then I had to sit in the very back because all of the seats were taken. He started off by going, "I can already tell the A and B students are in the front, and the C, D, and F students are in the back".

That pissed me off. Lol @ him though, I was the farthest one back and have a 4.0 so far this semester.

Needless to say I did not like him. My adviser was alright. He didn't say much, just told me I was on track, and even a bit ahead since I took summer classes before this semester. But he wouldn't let me sign up for PSIO 201.

 

[chewbacca1991]

well my major is called "biomedical physiology and kinesiology". i think its a really good program since at the end of our program we learn LOTS of stuff that is going to be taught in med school. i think i heard something from a prof that most people who graduate from the program do really well in med(since they already learned most of the anatomy, etc) i can take as many HARD courses as i want (e.g. histology,biochemistry, neurobiology of disease, molecular and cellular cardiology, mechanical behavior of tissue, biomechanics, neuromusclar anatomy, etc...) and i can take really easy courses (e.g. sports injuries- prevention and rehabilitation, nutrition for fitness and sport, active health, inquiry and and measurement into kinesiology, etc...)

 

[Slack3r]

I have Bill Lesho. Isn't there like two guys and one woman? And the woman is on maternity leave I think. Besides, its based off our last names.

The other guy (Not my adviser) was a dick to me during orientation. I showed up to the physiology meeting like 5 minutes late because one of the orientation leaders led me to the wrong place. When I had to sign some paper, I asked him if he had a pen and he said to me, "Are you gonna bring a pen on the first day of class?"

No jackass, Of course I won't be prepared for class... What kind of stupid question was that?

Then I had to sit in the very back because all of the seats were taken. He started off by going, "I can already tell the A and B students are in the front, and the C, D, and F students are in the back".

That pissed me off. Lol @ him though, I was the farthest one back and have a 4.0 so far this semester.

Needless to say I did not like him. My adviser was alright. He didn't say much, just told me I was on track, and even a bit ahead since I took summer classes before this semester. But he wouldn't let me sign up for PSIO 201.

Yea, the guy advisors are douchebags. I would still call Nancy Banks and try and get her to force add you. I was added to several classes I didn't have pre-reqs for by talking to Nancy. Befriend her early, you'll see alot of her throughout your ugrad career and she's a great help.

 

[coat0023]

I majored in Physiology at the University of Minnesota, and I have to agree that it was more useful as a pre-med than a "traditional" major. A lot of the professors also teach at the medical school too (though I'm pretty sure I'm getting straight up rejected there) It definitely helped having a strong physiology background on the MCAT.

Quotin' dis for solidarity. I am currently a senior at the University of Minnesota undergrad Physiology program. Definitely a great program with amazing faculty and advisers. Too bad so few people know about it. Only 200 total Physiology majors (freshman to seniors) at a school of about 65,000 people.

 

[Slack3r]

Quotin' dis for solidarity. I am currently a senior at the University of Minnesota undergrad Physiology program. Definitely a great program with amazing faculty and advisers. Too bad so few people know about it. Only 200 total Physiology majors (freshman to seniors) at a school of about 65,000 people.

Orly? You're aware only about 29k of those are ugrads?

 

[hoot504]

.

 

[tennisball80]

A lot of PSIO majors are of the neurotic/gunner variety; doesn't make for enjoyable discussion sections.

lol

 

[GregoryMD]

I'm a PSIO major at the UofA as well, and I agree that it is very easy. I'm currently in Endocrine Physiology (among other upper tier classes) and it's almost a joke. Read powerpoints... ace exam. Unfortunately, a lot of PSIO majors are of the neurotic/gunner variety; doesn't make for enjoyable discussion sections.

Like this? -->

Haha, well I suppose I'll be quite the contrast if that trend continues when I reach the upper divisions. I'm the social, over-opinionated, flashy dressing attention ***** who likes to answer questions.

Any PSIO classes you'd recommend to particularly avoid or take for any reason?

 

[hoot504]

Like this? -->

Haha, well I suppose I'll be quite the contrast if that trend continues when I reach the upper divisions. I'm the social, over-opinionated, flashy dressing attention ***** who likes to answer questions.

Any PSIO classes you'd recommend to particularly avoid or take for any reason?

Um... right..

As far as recommended classes, just take whatever. As far as I can tell, they all consist of reading powerpoints and then taking simple, multiple choice exams. Keep in mind this is coming from someone with a 4.0, these classes may not be as easy for other people..

 

[GregoryMD]

Um... right..

As far as recommended classes, just take whatever. As far as I can tell, they all consist of reading powerpoints and then taking simple, multiple choice exams. Keep in mind this is coming from someone with a 4.0, these classes may not be as easy for other people..

I have a 4.0 so far in my first semester. Granted it's just gen chem, latin, and some indvs, but I consider academics and college to still be pretty simple.

Are you in PSIO club?

 

[hoot504]

I have a 4.0 so far in my first semester. Granted it's just gen chem, latin, and some indvs, but I consider academics and college to still be pretty simple.

Are you in PSIO club?

Ha I took latin as well. No I'm not in PSIO club; don't want to say it's worthless, but it doesn't seem worth it either. If anything join surgery club, they do a "shadowing internship" every semester, if you apply and they accept you, you'll have a great time.

 

[tennisball80]

What kind of research do you guys do?

 

[GregoryMD]

Ha I took latin as well. No I'm not in PSIO club; don't want to say it's worthless, but it doesn't seem worth it either. If anything join surgery club, they do a "shadowing internship" every semester, if you apply and they accept you, you'll have a great time.

Yeah I joined PSIO club just to get started on my ECs. It's alright....we had a cavader lab in Mesa a few weeks ago. I was considering joining either the Emergency Medicine club, but I'll definitely look into Surgery club too.

 

[Slack3r]

Surgery club is useful if you get the shadowing internship. Sadly, the suture clinic is only open to current med students. I'd stay away from Scientific Methods (425 I think?) simply because it's boring. Cardio and Immunology were both simple, haven't taken Endocrine or Neuro. I agree they are easy classes; I don't have a 4.0, but I've aced every PSIO class I've taken so far.

PSIO club sucks. AED is useful if you hold office, but those kids are kinda intense. Stick to stuff you like, most of the "medical clubs" seem pretty superficial anyway, unless you end up holding a leadership position.

 

[GregoryMD]

Surgery club is useful if you get the shadowing internship. Sadly, the suture clinic is only open to current med students. I'd stay away from Scientific Methods (425 I think?) simply because it's boring. Cardio and Immunology were both simple, haven't taken Endocrine or Neuro. I agree they are easy classes; I don't have a 4.0, but I've aced every PSIO class I've taken so far.

PSIO club sucks. AED is useful if you hold office, but those kids are kinda intense. Stick to stuff you like, most of the "medical clubs" seem pretty superficial anyway, unless you end up holding a leadership position.

Actually on the Surgery club site, it says they have a suture clinic event for undergrads now. I think I'll join next semester.

 

[coat0023]

Orly? You're aware only about 29k of those are ugrads?

http://www.princetonreview.com/UniversityofMinnesotaTwinCities.aspx

So it is 33,000. Either way that is a hell of a lot of people and Physiology majors represent one of the smallest portions of that population. Original point still stands.