Graduate Certificate in Medical Physiology
Overview
Courses
Boost Your Medical School Readiness in Just One Semester
Your future in medicine starts with a strong foundation, and that’s exactly what you’ll build here. The online Graduate Certificate in Medical Physiology gives you the science skills and expertise to take your next big step, whether that’s med school, PA school or a career in research.
Earn your credential in as little as one semester from wherever you are. With flexible, entirely online courses taught by UF’s expert faculty, you’ll strengthen your understanding of the human body (and gain a competitive edge on application day).
Want to see if this certificate fits your goals? Chat with a specialist whenever you’re ready.
The Next Step in Your Career
Think of this certificate as a bridge between where you are and where you want to go. It’s a clear, focused way to prove you’re ready for the next level of healthcare roles.
You’ll take six graduate-level courses, including:
- One required course: Fundamentals of Medical Physiology
- Five electives: Choose the topics that align with your goals
Choose your path:
- 9 credits: Finish in one semester
- 14 credits: Go deeper into human physiology
Quick Facts:
- 6 total courses
- 9 to 14 credits total
- Finish in 1 to 2 semesters
- 100% online
- No GRE required
Explore the Science That Powers Every Healthcare Field
Every great healthcare career starts with understanding how the body works.
In this online program, you’ll connect advanced physiology concepts to real-world medicine. Build the kind of knowledge that helps you move beyond memorization to think critically. From cell biology to organ systems, you’ll see how everything fits together and how that foundation fuels success in any medical field.
By the time you’re done, you won’t just know physiology — you’ll understand it. And that understanding is what sets you apart from other applicants when you’re applying to PA or medical school.
Who Is This Program For?
This graduate certificate can benefit:
- Medical professionals, such as nurses and physician assistants.
- Students preparing for the MCAT or other standardized tests.
- Medical school applicants.
- Nursing school applicants.
- Physician assistant school applicants.
- High school biology teachers or community college professors.
- Biomedical professionals.
- Medical technology professionals.
GMS 6440 Fundamentals of Medical Physiology
This is an introductory course that teaches the basic functions of the human body. Students explore normal physiology and common diseases in each organ system. Participation in online workshops will help students understand the integration of physiology with genetics, genomics, molecular biology and cellular physiology as a basis for understanding human disease.
GMS 6401 Medical Renal Physiology
This course teaches the functions of the renal system of the human body at a level required for clinical medicine and basic research in medical physiology. Students will explore how systems act in an integrated manner to regulate overall body functions and how the failure of these normal physiologic functions and integrations are associated with some diseases.
GMS 6402 Medical Respiration Physiology
This course teaches the functions of the pulmonary system of the human body, including the uptake, transport and utilization of oxygen and other blood gases. Students will discover acid-base physiology and the mechanisms for controlling pulmonary function and gain an understanding of how the pulmonary system works with other systems.
GMS 6419 Medical Endocrinology and Reproduction
This course teaches the functions of the endocrine and reproductive systems of the human body. Students will gain an understanding of hormone function, including the hormonal control of reproduction, how the hormonal systems work with other human systems to regulate body functions and the diseases associated with the failure of the endocrine and reproductive systems.
GMS6474 Medical Cardiovascular and Muscle Physiology
This course teaches the functions and regulation of the muscle and the cardiovascular system. Students will learn adaptations that occur in response to exercise, the environment and disease and apply their knowledge of these systems to identify when a cardiovascular system may fail when associated with some diseases.
GMS6479 Medical Gastrointestinal Physiology
This course teaches the functions of the digestive system of human body. Students will explore how the endocrine and neural mechanisms control the gastrointestinal systems and gain an understanding of how the systems act in an integrated manner to regulate overall body functions.
