Physiology

Program name

Master of science in physiology.

Program Overview

The Master of Science program in Physiology is one of the postgraduate programs offered by the Department of Clinical Physiology in the Faculty of Medicine at King Abdulaziz University in Jeddah.

Program Objectives

• Empowering the student with the knowledge of basic and fundamental concepts to understand the physiology of the body.
• Enhancing the body of scientific research and scientific publishing.
• Training the student in the appropriate and suitable laboratory and research skills for the job market.
• Continuous development of program courses to meet the needs of the students.
• Creating opportunities for career development and research opportunities for the teaching staff.

Program mission

The mission of the Master of Physiology program at King Abdulaziz University is to equip students with advanced knowledge and research skills in human physiology and contribute in the societal well-being.

Program goals

• Prepare a high efficiency Saudi career path for master's degree holders in terms of academic qualification, professionalism, and scientific expertise.
• Contribute to the development of scientific medical research.
• Upgrade the educational process for students excelling in higher education locally, and encourage creativity and innovation.
• Contribute to studying and treating health problems in communities through specialized scientific research.

Admission Criteria

1. Applicants should hold a bachelor’s degree in medicine and surgery with a minimum C grade, or a bachelor’s degree from one of the paramedical specialties or from the faculty of science (Medical physics, Microbiology, Biology, or Biochemistry) with a minimum B grade.
2. Applicants should obtain a letter of approval from their employers.
3. Passing the general aptitude exam for university graduates with a grade of no less than 65%.
4. Passing the distinction exam held by the department.
5. For applicants holding a bachelor’s degree in science, an English test requirement is mandatory with a minimum score of 5 in IELTS or its equivalent in TOEFL.
6. Distinction of applicants is based on bachelor’s degree grade (60%) and distinction exam score (40%).

In addition to the general admission requirements for graduate programs at King Abdulaziz University, please refer to the following link:

Program learning outcomes

Knowledge and Understanding

1. Establish the principles physiology of different body systems including their functions, mechanisms involved in different functions, regulation, neurohormonal control and higher centers organization.
2. Demonstrate how different human tissue, organs and body systems are cooperated and interrelated to conduct a specific function.
3. Acquire knowledge of theory and existing research and practice in human physiology.

Skills

1. Evaluate and correlate critically various functions related to different body systems, in order to discern reliable molecular mechanisms of how these systems perform their function in harmony.
2. Communicate information related to the functions of different body systems through written, verbal, or multimedia formats, in order to assess current knowledge human physiology and to explore UpToDate physiological processes and their mechanism of actions.
3. Use scientific approach to generate hypothesis, research questions and design experimental approach in order to gather and analyze data on human physiology.

Values, Autonomy, and Responsibility

1. Demonstrate a capacity to communicate comprehensively and persuasively.
2. Express skills of self-learning and teamworking domain in searching a valuable information from reliable sources.
3. Demonstrate critical scientific thinking to evaluate and create solutions and take responsibility solving problems ethically and intellectually.

Study Plan

The study plan for the Master’s program in Human Physiology contains no less than (32) accredited units, including the Master’s thesis, and is distributed as follows:

• 16 credit units for compulsory courses
• 8 credit units for elective courses
• 8 credit units for the master’s thesis

Statistics of the program

• Number of students enrolled in the program 2023-2024: 15 students.
• Number of students who started the program 2023-2024: 15 students.
• Number of students who completed the program 2023-2024 : 3 graduated, 12 in progress.