University of Bristol

Physiology is the study of animal (including human), function across cells, tissues, organ systems and the whole body. You will study at the frontier of knowledge in topics such as pain, genes and function, brain and behaviour, cardiovascular disorders, and the biophysics of ion channels. The course will immerse you in real scientific research and offers a high level of clinical relevance to your medical, dental or veterinary science training. It will develop your critical awareness and provide you with a set of essential transferable skills which will enhance your career prospects.

All students take the Concepts and Skills unit, which comprises lectures, workshops and private study and is designed to help you further develop the key skills you will need to succeed on the course. There is a significant focus on statistics as well experimental design, data handling and how to tackle data interpretation questions. You will also learn to critically analyse, interpret and write about scientific papers.

You will also choose three further units from a range of options.

All students produce a substantial piece of original research, presenting the findings in a dissertation and an oral presentation. Options include:

  • an experimental project, which may be based in the lab within an active research group, or may have a clinical or data-analysis focus, led by one of the school’s academic staff
  • a literature-based project in which you will produce a detailed review that proposes a programme of further research
  • a teaching project in which you might assess current teaching methods and materials on the University’s science courses, or develop a new teaching programme in partnership with science teachers at a local secondary school

Entry requirements

You can study a BSc after two or more years of study on your professional programme. Please refer to the admissions statement on our intercalation website for full guidance on how your application will be assessed.

Closing date

The closing date for applications will be advised on the University of Bristol Intercalated degrees website.