Majors
	Health and Human Physiology (BA), Human Physiology (BS) from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Minors
	Health Promotion, Human Physiology
Four-year Graduation Plan
	Yes
Honors
	Yes
Selective Admission:
	Yes, for Health Promotion Track (BA) and Human Physiology Major (BS)
Links
	Web Site Courses General Catalog

The Department of Health and Human Physiology studies human physiological systems at all levels, from molecular and cellular to the organism as a whole. It uses basic sciences to measure human responses to internal and external stimuli, such as changes in activity levels, varying environmental conditions, and disease processes, and it applies this knowledge to the promotion of human health.

• Why Study Health and Human Physiology at Iowa?
• Selective Admission
• Course Work
• Facilities
• Careers
• Scholarships

Why Study Health and Human Physiology at Iowa?
Department of Health and Human Physiology programs consistently rank among the top of their kind nationwide. They are versatile, designed for students with widely varying academic objectives. The department's students are highly motivated and do well academically. Many of them graduate with honors.

As a health and human physiology student, you'll study with faculty members who place a high priority on teaching and research. Their areas of expertise include environmental stresses, sensorimotor mechanisms, movement control, thermoregulation, mechanical factors that regulate blood flow, blood flow in cardiovascular disease, aging, stem cells, and monitoring and tracking physical activity across lifespans and in relation to health outcomes. Many of them collaborate with faculty members in the University’s Carver College of Medicine and College of Public Health.

Selective Admission
Students majoring in health and human physiology (Bachelor of Arts) choose one of two tracks: health promotion or health studies. If you choose the health promotion track, you must apply to it. Before you apply, you'll need to complete prerequisite math and science courses and have a cumulative and University of Iowa grade-point average (GPA) of at least 2.70.

All students majoring in human physiology (Bachelor of Science) must apply to the major. Admission is based in part on grades earned in foundational science and math courses, such as biology, chemistry, and calculus. If you're an entering first-year student with an ACT composite score of 27 or above (or combined SAT critical reading and math score of 1210 or above) and a cumulative high school GPA of at least 3.70, you maybe admitted directly to the human physiology major.

If you're an entering first-year student intending to apply to the health promotion track (BA) or the human physiology major (BS), you’ll declare a health and human physiology interest as your major for advising assignments and course selection.

Course Work
Students majoring in health and human physiology earn a Bachelor of Arts degree. Students majoring in human physiology earn a Bachelor of Science. Each degree requires a minimum of 120 semester hours (s.h.), including credit for the major.
 
Major in Health and Human Physiology (BA)

The health and human physiology major has two tracks with different requirements. The health promotion track requires 50–52 s.h. and the health studies track requires 40–42 s.h. (both included in the minimum 120 s.h. you'll earn for the BA degree).

The health promotion track is a good choice if you're interested in careers that promote wellness in the community or the workplace through changes in lifestyle and environment. If you'd prefer to have a flexible health science background, you should consider the health studies track.

Whichever track you choose, you’ll complete a set of common requirements plus requirements specifically for your track.

Common requirements—students in both tracks take these:

• Human Anatomy
• Nutrition and Health
• Physical Activity and Health
• A course in biology
• A course in chemistry
• A course in mathematics or statistics
• A course in human physiology

Health promotion track students also complete these:

• Health promotion core—five courses in exercise testing, health behavior and promotion, health interventions, and nutrition interventions
• Health promotion electives—four to six courses in areas such as global health, health communication, health promotion, human development and aging, human physiology, leadership, psychology, and practicums or internships

Health studies track students also complete these:

• Six or more courses on topics such as aging, biomechanics of human motion, cardiovascular physiology, exercise leadership, global health promotion, health behavior and promotion, psychology of sport and activity, and sport and exercise nutrition

Major in Human Physiology (BS)

The major in human physiology requires 61 s.h. (included in the minimum of 120 s.h. you'll earn for the BS degree). You might choose this major if you plan to earn a graduate degree in one of the basic life sciences or pursue advanced education in the health professions (e.g., medicine, dentistry, optometry, physician assistant studies, physical therapy, podiatry).

Before you may be admitted to the major, you’ll need to complete Principles of Chemistry I, which counts toward the major. Once you’re admitted, you’ll take these courses:

• Human Anatomy plus a laboratory (two courses)
• Human Physiology plus a laboratory (two courses)
• Six additional health and human physiology courses on topics such as biomechanics of human motion, exercise physiology, growth and motor development, human pharmacology, nutrition, physiology of aging, and skeletal muscle biology
• Cognates—eight courses: three on biology, two on physics, and one each on chemistry, mathematics, and statistics

In addition, you’ll want to consider taking elective courses in certain disciplines.

For More Details

See Health and Human Physiology in the UI General Catalog to learn more about the department's majors and for information on graduating with honors or earning a minor in health promotion or human physiology.

Facilities
The department’s location close to the University’s health sciences campus and faculty members’ connections with the Carver College of Medicine provide health and human physiology students with access to facilities affiliated with several of Iowa’s biomedical sciences departments, including anatomy and cell biology, internal medicine, neurology, orthopaedic surgery, and free radical and radiation biology. The University's Health Iowa and UI Wellness programs and Johnson County Public Health provide additional opportunities.

Careers
The health and human physiology major (BA) prepares you to work in hospital- and corporate-based wellness programs, nonprofit health agencies, commercial fitness enterprises, and federal and state health promotion agencies.

If you major in human physiology (BS), you'll be ready for graduate study in the health professions or in related basic sciences.

Scholarships
Consult multiple sources for scholarship information, including the Office of Admissions, the Office of Student Financial Aid, and departmental web sites.