This programme is aimed at students who are interested in understanding how the human body works as an integrated organism in health, and investigating the associated mechanisms leading to diseases of the cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal system, endocrine and nervous systems. On completion of the programme, Physiology graduates are ideally equipped with a range of skills pertinent to a career in biomedical research or a health related discipline. We value and therefore encourage our students to be knowledgeable, critical thinkers, with a strong understanding of biomedical research.  We aim to provide a learning environment that fosters autonomous student learning and scientific curiosity, promotes scientific integrity and develops excellent written and oral communication skills. We utilise a varied approach to scholarship, delivered by a research-intensive faculty, focussed on small group interactions, lectures and tutorials, and substantial laboratory experiences embedded in an active research environment. Assessment varies according to the educational and learning outcomes of the module and specifically focuses on examining the students' ability to effectively communicate a deep understanding of integrative physiological concepts. 

1 - Students will have a knowledge of the structure and function of cells, tissues, organs and systems in the human body, underpinned by a broad foundation in Science.
2 - Students will develop a deep understanding of how molecules, cells and organs interact to form a whole being, from the molecular basis of cell function to the integrated and co-ordinated behaviour of the human body.
3 - Students will have an understanding of major organ systems, mechanisms of important diseases, and how experimental models can be used to develop our understanding of associated disease processes with an aim to discover therapeutic strategies.
4 - Students will be able to apply their knowledge and understanding of Physiology to problem solve and work effectively using evaluative and critical skills in a range of contexts.
5 - Students will be able to competently perform a range of important practical research techniques relevant to Physiological and scientific research, aligned with an understanding of the fundamental principles underlying the methodological approach.
6 - Students will be able to conceptualise and comprehend the research process, the evolving nature of research, how this process leads to the generation of new knowledge, and will have substantially engaged in independent Physiological research.
7 - Students will develop a substantial knowledge of a broad range of information resources, literature databases, and other relevant resources, and be able to effectively use these resources to support their research practice in an organised and timely way
8 - Students will be able to critically analyse physiological research, identify pertinent and key questions and problems, and be able to articulate and communicate their scientific ideas in a competent and professional manner.
9 - Students will develop an appreciation of the value of a broad range of communication skills as an instrument to enhancing their own scholarship, interacting with others and furthering their scientific understanding.
10 - Students will develop excellent oral and written communication skills, data analysis, summary and presentation, and appropriate scientific writing, to ensure competency in delivering key integral points supported by computer and IT skills
11 - Students will be able to reflect on personal and professional values, the connection between ethics and professional / scientific practice and their responsibility to utilise this knowledge with integrity to make independent and informed decisions.
12 - Students will be able to work effectively both in teams and independently, driven by a scientific curiosity, to continue to meet new challenges and further their scholarship.
13 - Students will be aware of their responsibility and ability to confidently and competently contribute to the local, national and international communities as graduates of UCD.

Students who return failing grades in a trimester amounting to 15 credits, or more, will be identified under the UCD Continuation – Academic Progress policy. Students whose rate of progression and performance over two academic years is deemed unacceptable will be referred to the Governing Board to be reviewed for exclusion from the programme.

Students who fail to progress from the stage of the programme they are registered to for more than two academic years (except where a period of Leave of Absence has been granted for one of those years) will also be contacted under the Continuation – Academic Progress Policy.

As Stages 3 and 4 have the most dynamic components of the programme, and the material studied previously may no longer be relevant, a student who has been away from the programme for a significant period should be required to register again to Stage 3. The upper limit for completion of Stages 3 and 4 should be six years if they choose to do 120 credits with 20 in each year.

Students take eight core modules and two optional modules. Additional modules can be selected from the BSc programme or alternatively, student may select 10 credits from elective modules.
If you are interested in doing an Internship as part of Stage 4, you must indicate your interest now (in Stage 3). See full details www.ucd.ie/science/careers/internships/students/

Students complete 60 credits. Students must select both core modules (25 credits) and the remaining modules must be selected from Option lists 1 and 2.

Module ID	Module Title	Trimester	Credits
Stage 3 Core Modules
NEUR30080	Neuromuscular and Membrane Biology	Autumn	5
PHYS30010	Cardiovascular Physiology	Autumn	5
PHYS30090	Digestion and Excretion	Autumn	5
STAT20070	Data Modelling for Science	Autumn	5
PHYS30020	Respiratory Physiology	Spring	5
PHYS30040	Endocrine Physiology	Spring	5
PHYS30190	Experimental Physiology	Spring	5
PHYS30270	The Brain and Motor Control	Spring	5
Stage 3 Core Modules
Stage 3 Options - A)MIN2OF: Students select two optional modules from the list below. Please note, it is not possible to select ANAT20010 and BMOL30020 as a combination of option modules.
BMOL30040	Receptor-mediated cell signalling	Autumn	5
MEIN30240	Bioinformatics	Autumn	5
PHAR30010	Chemotherapeutic Agents	Autumn	5
PHAR30080	Pharmacology of Neurodegenerative and Psychiatric Illness	Autumn	5
ZOOL30030	Evolutionary Biology	Autumn	5
ANAT20010	Clinical Human Anatomy III	Spring	5
BIOC30030	Biochemist's Toolkit	Spring	5
BMOL30020	Molecular basis of disease	Spring	5
GENE30030	Genetic Basis of Disease	Spring	5
PHAR30050	Experimental and therapeutic strategies in molecular pharmacology	Spring	5
RDGY30520	Medical Imaging (Clin/Res)	Spring	5
Stage 3 Options - A)MIN2OF: Students select two optional modules from the list below. Please note, it is not possible to select ANAT20010 and BMOL30020 as a combination of option modules.
Stage 4 Core Modules
PHYS40170	Fundamentals of Physiological Research	Autumn	5
PHYS40060	Physiology Research Project	Spring	20
Stage 4 Core Modules
Stage 4 Options - A)MIN5OF: Option List 1: Students select at least 5 modules from Option List 1. Students may select all 6 modules from this list.
PHYS30110	Adaptation to hypoxia: high altitude and lessons for disease	Autumn	5
PHYS30160	Control of Vascular Resistance	Autumn	5
PHYS30250	Haemostasis and Thrombosis	Autumn	5
PHYS30280	Psychiatric and Neurological brain disorders	Autumn	5
PHYS30180	Physiological Genomics	Spring	5
PHYS30260	The Physiology of Disease	Spring	5
Stage 4 Options - A)MIN5OF: Option List 1: Students select at least 5 modules from Option List 1. Students may select all 6 modules from this list.
Stage 4 Options - B)MIN1OF: Student must select at least 1 module from this list. Students cannot select both MDSA30280 and SCI30080.
BMOL30030	Regulation of Gene Expression	Autumn	5
MEIN30240	Bioinformatics	Autumn	5
NEUR40020	Physiology of Synaptic Plasticity	Autumn	5
PATH40020	Clinical Biomarkers	Autumn	5
SCI30080	Professional Placement-Science	Autumn	5
ANAT20010	Clinical Human Anatomy III	Spring	5
BIOC30030	Biochemist's Toolkit	Spring	5
BMOL30020	Molecular basis of disease	Spring	5
GENE30030	Genetic Basis of Disease	Spring	5
GENE40030	Advanced Mechanisms of Gene Regulation	Spring	5
NEUR40030	Modulation of Synaptic Signalling	Spring	5
PHAR30020	Endocrine, Renal and Reproductive Pharmacology	Spring	5
PHAR30050	Experimental and therapeutic strategies in molecular pharmacology	Spring	5
RDGY30520	Medical Imaging (Clin/Res)	Spring	5
MDSA30280	SSRA Research Elective I	Summer	5
Stage 4 Options - B)MIN1OF: Student must select at least 1 module from this list. Students cannot select both MDSA30280 and SCI30080.

		Award		GPA
Programme	Module Weightings	Rule Description	Description
BHSCI001	Stage 4 - 70.00% Stage 3 - 30.00%	Standard Honours Award	First Class Honours	3.68	4.20
			Second Class Honours, Grade 1	3.08	3.67
			Second Class Honours, Grade 2	2.48	3.07
			Pass	2.00	2.47