Comparing Graduate Credentials: Medical Physiology vs. Microbiology
If you’re considering a graduate credential, we salute you! The path to securing your dream position can be a long one, and a graduate certificate or master’s degree is often the first step in advancing your career, especially in STEM-related roles.
If you’ve narrowed down your graduate options to medical physiology and microbiology, it’s helpful to understand the similarities and differences between these fields. While these programs may share similar credit requirements and a strong foundation in fundamental biological concepts, they also have some distinct differences.
Let’s explore these differences and help you determine which program aligns best with your professional goals.
Program Curriculum
A significant difference between a graduate credential in medical physiology and one in microbiology lies in each program’s framework and content:
- Medical Physiology
If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Should I take anatomy and physiology for medical school?”, the answer is yes. Courses focused on anatomy and physiology provide essential knowledge that will help you succeed in medical and other professional schools. The University of Florida’s online MS in medical physiology and pharmacology program offers a broader application of biological sciences, integrating human and medical physiology into clinical settings. It also emphasizes key areas of pharmacology, preparing graduates for roles such as clinical research coordinator, medical educator or healthcare consultant.
- Microbiology
In contrast, a microbiology program concentrates more specifically on microorganisms and their effects on humans and the environment. Courses explore areas such as virology, infectious diseases and molecular genetics. The curriculum prepares graduates for diverse roles in research, diagnostics and public health.
Career Opportunities
Both graduate programs act as an excellent stepping stone toward numerous STEM-related careers. Below, we break down some of the specific careers available depending on the program you choose to pursue:
Medical Physiology
An MS in one of our medical sciences programs offers an excellent foundation for roles in the healthcare field, whether you’re interested in direct patient care, shaping public health policy, advancing biomedical research or teaching the next generation of medical professionals.
While some of these positions may require further education, our online graduate credentials in the medical sciences provide a strategic way to advance your journey toward the career you’ve always envisioned, in rewarding careers like:
- Clinical research coordinator
- Pharmaceutical sales representative
- Medical educator
- Surgeon
- Physician assistant
- Anesthesiologist
- Critical care nurse
- Pharmacist
- Biomedical research scientist
- Regulatory affairs specialist
Microbiology
As a graduate with an MS in microbiology, you’ll have the advanced skills needed to launch your career in a variety of in-demand roles in research and biotechnology, including:
- Biochemist
- Biophysicist
- Medical scientist
- Epidemiologist
- Molecular biologist
- Bioinformatics scientist
Job Outlook and Salary
The job outlook for STEM-related careers is projected to grow by 10.4% from 2022 to 2032, which is 6% higher than the national average for all occupations. Here are some projected job outlooks and salaries for different careers in each sector according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Medical Physiology
Registered nurses
- Median annual salary: $86,070
- Growth rate through 2033: 6%
Nurse Anesthetists
- Median annual salary: $129,480
- Growth rate through 2033: 40%
Physician assistants
- Median annual salary: $130,020
- Growth rate through 2033: 28%
Postsecondary teachers
- Median annual salary: $84,380
- Growth rate through 2033: 8%
Microbiology
Medical Scientists
- Median annual salary: $100,890
- Growth rate through 2033: 11%
Epidemiologists
- Median annual salary: $81,390
- Growth rate through 2033: 19%
Biochemists
- Median annual salary: $107,460
- Growth rate through 2033: 9%
Impact on Patient Outcomes
Envision yourself in a patient care role. Do you see yourself working one-on-one with patients, delivering personalized care tailored to their specific needs? Or would you prefer to make a broader impact, using your expertise to advance the understanding of diseases from the comfort of a lab coat?
A graduate degree in medical physiology offers a versatile entryway to several careers centered around patient care, whether you want to specialize in a particular area of medicine or take on a broader clinical role. However, if you’d rather step away from patient care and focus on other areas of medical sciences, there are plenty of roles that allow you to contribute to healthcare without direct patient interaction.
In contrast, a master’s degree in microbiology is ideal for those who wish to improve specific areas of health, such as food safety and public health. While these roles don’t often involve direct patient interaction, they offer opportunities to work in various settings, such as research laboratories, government agencies and pharmaceutical companies.
Earn a Graduate Credential in Medical Sciences From the University of Florida
A graduate credential in medical physiology or microbiology offers numerous benefits, bringing you closer to advancing your career and acquiring essential skills along the way. With a medical sciences graduate credential from UF, you’ll gain a strong foundation tailored to your chosen role. Our programs prepare you for professional school, demonstrating your commitment to your field and enhancing your application to admissions committees.
We offer seven unique, entirely online graduate programs in the medical sciences:
Many of our online students are already balancing busy professional and personal lives. We aim to help you maintain that work-life balance by offering all asynchronous courses. This flexibility allows you to complete your studies at your convenience — in as little as one year.
Jump-start your career in medical sciences with experienced professors from one of U.S. News’ top 50 universities in the nation. Apply to secure your spot next semester!
Sources:
https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables/stem-employment.htm
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses.htm
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/nurse-anesthetists-nurse-midwives-and-nurse-practitioners.htm
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/physician-assistants.htm
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/postsecondary-teachers.htm
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/medical-scientists.htm
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/epidemiologists.htm
