Physiology

The Ball State Department of Biology offers two paths for our master’s degree in physiology depending on your academic and professional interests.

The master of arts (MA) degree is designed for students seeking in-depth coverage of physiological principles pertaining to the human organism, endocrinology, renal function, cardiovascular dynamics, neurophysiology, and pathophysiology. You can complete the requirements for the Master of Arts in one academic year, which includes a summer semester.

The master of science (MS) offers a similarly rigorous curriculum to that of the MA program, but you will also be required to demonstrate a high level of research skills by completing a research thesis. You may be selected to pursue the M.S. in physiology, usually in your second year. Selection is dependent on your academic performance and approval of the professor who assumes responsibility as your thesis advisor. Faculty may require successful completion of an independent study with the advisor, submission of a student grant, submission of a research abstract, or equivalent experiences.

For either degree, you will find our master’s program in physiology to be a great precursor for pursuing advanced degree programs. Many of our graduates pursue degrees in medicine or dentistry, or enroll in doctoral programs. Other students obtain research jobs in academia and industry or teach at a community college.

Applicants to the master’s degree program in physiology must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with an academic major or minor in biology, the life sciences, or equivalent science fields. A minimum of two courses in biology and two courses in organic chemistry are required for admission to the program. Applicants for graduate teaching assistantships must have a GPA of at least 3.0 on a scale of 4.0.