Bachelor of Arts in Integrative Physiology

Our students become fully conversant in knowledge from anatomy, biochemistry, mathematics, physics, physiology and statistics to study how humans and other animals function at the level of genes, cells, tissues, organs and systems; they enjoy careers in sports medicine, exercise management, chiropractic care, athletic training, emergency medicine, physical therapy, coaching, fitness and research.

Physiology is the science of function in living organisms. Integrative physiology integrates knowledge from anatomy, biochemistry, mathematics, physics, physiology and statistics to study how humans and other animals function at the level of genes, cells, tissues, organs and systems. Many students select the integrative physiology major as a premedical program since it provides the type of coursework required for advanced training in areas such as health, wellness and medicine.

  • Understand the role of physical activity in human health and function
  • Learn about human health with a multidisciplinary education
  • Participate in student-developed and designed independent research projects

Our integrative physiology program was the first in the U.S. and has maintained an excellent reputation since

The department is nationally and internationally recognized in several areas of research, including ranking 14th nationally in faculty research grants

The department’s 21 research laboratories study topics such as sleep and prosthetics, each directed by a member of the faculty

Be successful.

Be prepared to meet the needs of our 21st-century society by applying your knowledge of integrative physiology in a variety of careers. Many students who graduate with a BA in integrative physiology continue on to medical school or other graduate work.

 
$46,000

Median salary of CU Boulder integrative physiology students 1–5 years after graduation

 

Work in sports medicine, exercise management, chiropractic care, athletic training, geriatrics or physical fitness programming as a medical assistant, personal trainer, emergency medical technician, physical therapy aide, coach, fitness instructor or researcher

 

Jobs for exercise physiologists with a bachelor’s degree are expected to grow 13% between 2016 and 2026—faster than average for all job categories, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Academic Plan & Requirements

In addition to the general College of Arts and Sciences requirements, integrative physiology students must complete a minimum of 38 credit hours:

  • 30 credit hours in courses with the integrative physiology subject area
  • 8 credit hours in a biology sequence including requisite labs

Additional degree option for integrative physiology students includes:

  • Bachelor’s-accelerated master’s: A combined bachelor's (BA) and master's (MA) degree is offered for highly motivated undergraduate students. The BA/MA program allows students to take advanced courses at an accelerated pace, engage in an independent research project and obtain both degrees in five years.

Community & Involvement

We offer students many opportunities to network with peers and faculty, further their studies, and get the most out of their undergraduate experience.

Be inspired.

The integrative physiology department has an extensive alumni network working in a variety of industries across the globe.

Some alumni of the program include:

Brooke Tata

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A L’Oréal-UNESCO fellow and postdoctoral researcher at Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Université Lille, France, who researches female infertility

Allen Lim

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Founder of , which makes training foods and sports drinks for high-performance athletes

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Associate professor of orthopedics and chief of sports medicine and shoulder surgery at the University of Colorado Denver School of Medicine

Jinger S. Gottschall

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Associate professor of kinesiology at Pennsylvania State University and founder and co-owner of, a Les Mills group fitness and cycling studio in State College, Pennsylvania

News & Stories

College of Arts & Sciences magazine cover