The Department of Integrative Physiology (IPHY), housed within the College of Arts and Sciences, offers a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree. Our undergraduate courses integrate knowledge from various life-science disciplines, enabling students to explore organisms as dynamic systems composed of molecules, cells, tissues and organs. The curriculum places specific emphasis on understanding whole-body function and its relevance to human health and disease.
We actively encourage students to engage in a variety of enriching experiences, including research, internships, independent study, teaching opportunities, honors programs and extracurricular activities. By participating in these diverse activities, students can broaden their perspectives and enhance their overall learning experience.
Upon successful completion of the IPHY BS degree, students will possess the knowledge, skills and expertise necessary for advanced training and diverse career paths. Our graduates are well-prepared for pursuits in clinical practice, research, health education, sports medicine, rehabilitation and industry.
Requirements
To graduate, students are required to fulfill both the general requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences and the required courses below. Students must complete a minimum of 40 credit hours, with at least 32 credit hours in courses designated with the IPHY subject code, including a minimum of 21 credit hours at the upper-division level. Additionally, students must complete 8 credit hours in a biology sequence including requisite labs.
All required courses within the major and all ancillary courses must be passed with a grade of C- or better; pass/fail grading is not permitted for these courses. Furthermore, students must maintain a minimum grade point average of 2.000 in their major to be eligible for graduation.
Required Courses and Credits
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Biology Sequence | ||
| Select one of the following biology sequences of lecture and lab: | ||
| Lecture | 6 | |
| General Biology 1 and General Biology 2 | ||
| Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology and Principles of Genetics | ||
| Lab | 2 | |
| General Biology Laboratory 1 and General Biology Laboratory 2 | ||
| From Dirt to DNA: Phage Genomics Laboratory I | ||
or IPHY 1111 | Analysis of Human Movement with Smart-Phone Technology | |
or MCDB 1171 | Antibiotics Discovery Through Hands-on Screens I | |
or MCDB 2161 | From DNA to Genes, Phage Genomics Laboratory II | |
or MCDB 2171 | Chemotherapeutic Discovery Through Hands-On Screens | |
| Required IPHY Coursework | ||
| IPHY 2400 | Introduction to Medical Terminology for Future Health Professionals | 2 |
| or IPHY 3415 | Human Anatomy Laboratory | |
| IPHY 3410 | Human Anatomy | 3 |
| IPHY 3430 | Human Physiology | 4 |
| IPHY 3435 | Physiology Lab | 2 |
| or IPHY 3437 | Virtual Human Physiology Laboratory | |
| Advanced IPHY Coursework | ||
| Select at least 15 credits (three courses must be taken at CU Boulder, including Main Campus, Continuing Education, or Education Abroad) | 15-17 | |
| Cell Physiology | ||
| Endocrinology | ||
| Biomechanics | ||
| Sleep Physiology | ||
| Immunology | ||
| Exercise Physiology | ||
| Neurophysiology | ||
| IPHY Major Electives 1 | 4-6 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 40 | |
| 1 | To meet the requirement of 32 credit hours in IPHY coursework and 40 total major credit hours, the number of elective credit hours in IPHY may vary depending on the specific major courses taken and could be unnecessary. A maximum of 45 major credit hours can be applied towards the degree. |
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Ancillary Coursework | ||
| One of the following Statistics courses | 3-4 | |
| Intro to Data Science and Biostatistics (preferred) 2 | ||
or EBIO 1010 | Introduction to Statistics and Quantitative Thinking for Biologists | |
or MATH 2510 | Introduction to Statistics | |
or PSYC 2111 | Psychological Science I: Statistics | |
or SOCY 2061 | Introduction to Social Statistics | |
| CHEM 1113 & CHEM 1114 | General Chemistry 1 and Laboratory in General Chemistry 1 | 5 |
| CHEM 1133 & CHEM 1114 | General Chemistry 2 and Laboratory in General Chemistry 1 | 5 |
| PHYS 2010 | General Physics 1 | 5 |
| Total Credit Hours | 18-19 | |
| 2 | If IPHY 3280 is chosen as the statistics requirement, it will also fulfill IPHY upper-division elective credit. |
Graduating in Four Years
Consult the Four-Year Guarantee Requirements for eligibility details. The term 'adequate progress' here pertains solely to maintaining eligibility for the four-year guarantee, not to requirements for the major itself. To stay on track in integrative physiology, students must meet these criteria:
- Declare the major by the first semester.
- Complete general biology and chemistry sequences by the third semester.
- Finish anatomy and physiology sequences by the fifth semester.
Students should meet with their major advisor to track progress toward completing major requirements.
Recommended Four-Year Plan of Study
By completing the required coursework for the major, students will satisfy all 12 credits of the Natural Sciences portion of the Gen. Ed. Distribution requirement, which includes the lab component, as well as the QRMS area of the Gen. Ed. Skills requirement.
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Credit Hours | |
| EBIO 1210 & EBIO 1230 | General Biology 1 and General Biology Laboratory 1 | 4 |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective - IPHY 1020 | 1 | |
| Gen. Ed. Skills course (example: Lower-division Written Communication) | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 14 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| EBIO 1220 & EBIO 1240 | General Biology 2 and General Biology Laboratory 2 | 4 |
| CHEM 1113 & CHEM 1114 | General Chemistry 1 and Laboratory in General Chemistry 1 | 5 |
| IPHY 2400 | Introduction to Medical Terminology for Future Health Professionals | 2 |
| Gen. Ed. Distribution course (example: Arts & Humanities) | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 14 | |
| Year Two | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| CHEM 1133 & CHEM 1134 | General Chemistry 2 and Laboratory in General Chemistry 2 | 5 |
| IPHY 3280 | Intro to Data Science and Biostatistics or Introduction to Statistics or Psychological Science I: Statistics or Introduction to Statistics and Quantitative Thinking for Biologists or Introduction to Social Statistics | 3-4 |
| IPHY 3410 | Human Anatomy | 3 |
| Gen. Ed. Distribution course (example: Social Sciences) | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 14-15 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| PHYS 2010 | General Physics 1 | 5 |
| IPHY 3430 | Human Physiology | 4 |
| Gen. Ed. Distribution/Diversity course (example: Social Sciences/Global Perspective) | 3 | |
| Gen. Ed. Distribution course (example: Arts & Humanities) | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Year Three | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| IPHY 3435 or IPHY 3437 | Physiology Lab or Virtual Human Physiology Laboratory | 2 |
| IPHY Major Course #1 | 5-3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Upper-Division Elective | 3 | |
| Gen Ed. Distribution course (example: Social Sciences) | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 16-14 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| IPHY Major Core Course #2 | 5-3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Upper-division Elective | 3 | |
| Upper-division Elective | 3 | |
| Gen. Ed. Skills course (example: Upper-division Written Communication) | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 17-15 | |
| Year Four | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| IPHY Major Core Course #3 | 3-5 | |
| Upper-division Elective - IPHY 3415 | 2 | |
| Upper-division Elective | 3 | |
| Gen. Ed. Distribution course (example: Arts & Humanities/US Perspective) | 3 | |
| Gen. Ed. Distribution course (example: Social Sciences) | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 14-16 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| IPHY Major Core Course #4 | 5-3 | |
| IPHY Major Core Course (if needed) | 3-5 | |
| Upper-division Elective | 3 | |
| Upper-division Elective | 3 | |
| Gen. Ed. Distribution course (example. Arts & Humanities) | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 17 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 121-120 | |
Learning Outcomes
By the completion of the program, students will be able to:
- Apply foundational biological concepts, including structure and function, information flow, energy and matter transformations, and systems, to analyze and explain physiological processes.
- Apply knowledge of the human body to new and real-world contexts.
- Extract meaning from visual representations of data (e.g., graphs, tables, images), and discern relevant information from irrelevant information in various contexts.
- Synthesize ideas and concepts from multiple sources to create a more comprehensive understanding of integrative physiology.
- Apply the scientific method to research questions related to integrative physiology, including designing experiments, collecting and analyzing experimental data, forming evidence-based conclusions and placing results in the larger scientific context.
- Search, critically evaluate and analyze the scientific literature related to integrative physiology, and apply this knowledge to critique claims in the popular media.
- Possess effective collaborative, teamwork, and oral and written communication skills, including the ability to work with others towards shared goals and successfully communicate an understanding of integrative physiology to a wide audience.
- Recognize the limit of one’s knowledge or ability and determine how to expand that knowledge or extend the ability.
- Gain experience in disciplinary settings (e.g., research, teaching, internships, leadership, outreach, volunteering) and awareness of careers suitable for those with expertise in integrative physiology.