Cell Biology and Physiology

Cell Biology is the study of the structure and function of the cell, the basic unit of life. Physiology is the study of the function and mechanisms of cells, tissues, organs, and organ systems that make up living organisms. Combined, these branches of biology aim to understand such remarkable processes as how the heart develops and works to pump blood, how neurons communicate with one another, how insulin regulates blood sugar, and how specific gene products determine the morphology and functional capacity of the nervous system. Building on a foundation of chemistry, physics, and biology, this major's emphasis on integrating molecular, cellular, systems, and whole-body function is what distinguishes the study of cell biology and physiology from other life sciences.