Georgia Institute of Technology____

Program Description

The School of Applied Physiology offers a multidisciplinary Certificate in Applied Physiology.It is designed for students – particularly those majoring in the sciences or engineering – who wish to broaden or supplement their educational experiences and career opportunities in areas related to human biology, medicine and health. The certificate program is based on courses in human anatomy & physiology and human movement sciences.

  1. General Requirements
    1. Complete a minimum of 12 credit hours as specified below.
    2. Achieve a grade of C or better in all courses.
    3. Complete all institutional requirements for the Bachelor’s Degree.
  2. Required APPH Course (3 credit hrs):
    • APPH 3751 - Human Anatomy & Physiology (3-0-3) Prerequisite: BIOL 1510 or CHEM 1211.
      Study of human anatomy and fundamental physiological mechanisms with concentration on skeletal, muscular, nervous, circulatory, respiratory, digestive, urinary, endocrine, and reproductive systems. Crosslisted with BIOL 3751.
  3. Other APPH Courses -- Take two or more courses (at least 4 credit hrs):
    • APPH 3300 – Health Promotions (3-0-3) Prerequisite: HPS 1040.Through small group discussions and lectures, this class examines contemporary health issues facing college students and the theory and skills required to conduct health promotion activities.
    • APPH 3500 - Nutrition and Health (2-0-2) Prerequisite: HPS 1040.Study of human nutrition as an applied science. Nutrition physiology: metabolism, energy, production, biochemical aspect, role of nutrients, weight control mechanisms, and preventative nutrition in health management will be covered.
    • APPH 4100 – Exercise Physiology (2-3-3) Prerequisite: APPH/BIOL 3751. Physiology of human movement with emphasis on metabolic, cardiorespiratory, and musculoskeletal aspects; associated topics include body composition, thermoregulation, and ergogenic aids.
    • APPH 4200 – Kinesiological Basis of Human Movement (2-3-3) Prerequisite: APPH/BIOL 3751.  Analysis of human movement from the broad perspectives of kinesiology, neural control, and human anatomy, to include the study of locomotion in both healthy and clinical populations, tasks and various movements of the upper extremities. 
    • APPH 4600 – Muscle Structure & Plasticity (3-0-3)  Prerequisite: BIOL 1510.To provide an in-depth understanding of the biological processes underlying skeletal muscle structure and function.
    • APPH 3801-2-3 – Special Topics.
    • APPH 3901-2-3 – Special Problems
  4. Optional Courses – May elect to fulfill requirement of 12 credit hrs:
    • BIOL 3331 – Cell Biology (3-3-4) Prerequisite: BIOL 1510.  Structure and function of cells and their organelles.
    • BIOL 4430 – Environmental Sustainability (3-0-3) Prerequisites: BIOL 1510 and 1520 and CHEM 1211. A general survey of the responses of biological systems to various kinds of radiation and air or water pollution.
    • BIOL 4446 – Animal Physiology (3-0-3) Prerequisite: BIOL 3331.Systems physiology including nerves, muscles, kidney, digestion, circulation, endocrinology, reproduction, and respiration.
    • BIOL 4464 – Developmental Biology (3-0-3) Prerequisite: BIOL 2334. Investigations of cell differentiation and development using the tools of molecular genetics and cell biology.
    • BIOL 4803 – Molecular Membrane Physiology (3-0-3) The physiology of excitable membranes (nerve and muscle) and non-excitable membranes, and methods used to study these concepts at the cellular and molecular level. 
    • BMED 3160 – Systems Physiology I (2-5-4) Prerequisites: BMED 2300, BIOL 2234 and CHEM 3511 or CHEM 4511. A study of physiologic properties of human cells and tissues, with specific attention focused on organization, membrane level transport and kinetics, cell signaling, and energy requirements.
    • BMED 3161 – Systems Physiology II (2-5-4) Prerequisite: BMED 3160.  Quantitative model-oriented approaches to the study of major human physiologic functions and integrative analysis of the control of homeostatic processes.
    • ECE 4781 - Biomedical Instrumentation (3-0-3) Prerequisite: ECE 3050.A study of medical instrumentation from a systems viewpoint.  Pertinent physiological and electro-physiological concepts will be covered.  Crosslisted with CHE and ME 4781.
    • HS 4001 - Introduction to Health Systems (3-0-3) Background of US healthcare; the workforce; mechanisms and costs of delivery; facilities; ambulatory care; regulation and quality; managed care; finance, and role of government
    • LCC 3318 – Biomedicine and Culture (3-0-3) Prerequisite: ENGL 1102.Discusses the history of biology and medicine, popular representations of health, disease, and the medical establishment, and the cultural implications of medical imaging technologies.
    • ME 4757 - Biofluid Mechanics (3-0-3) Prerequisites: Math 2403 and ME 3201. Introduction to the study of blood flow in the cardiovascular system.  Emphasis on modeling and the potential of flow studies for clinical research application. Crosslisted with AE & CHE 4757.
    • ME 4758 - Biosolid Mechanics (3-0-3)  Prerequisites:  Math 2403 and ME 3201. The mechanics of living tissue, e.g., arteries, skin, heart, muscle, ligament, tendon, cartilage, and bone. Constitutive equations and some simple mechanical models. Mechanics of cells. Applications. Crosslisted with AE and CHE 4758.
    • PSYC 2230 - Abnormal Psychology (3-0-3) Prerequisite: PSYC 1101.This course surveys the spectrum of psychiatric disorders (symptoms, epidemiology, etiology, and treatment) and provides a perspective on adaptive functioning and psychological resilience.
    • PSYC 3020 - Biopsychology (3-0-3)  Prerequisites: PSYC 1101, BIOL 1510, and BIOL 1520. Neurophysiological, endocrinological, and biochemical bases of sensory and motor functioning, motivation, learning, memory, and behavior dysfunction.
    • PSYC 4100 - Behavioral Pharmacology (3-0-3)  Prerequisites: PSYC 3020, BIOL 1510 and 1520, and CHEM 1211.An analysis of drug-behavior interactions with emphasis on basic pharmacology, role of contingencies in drug effects, mechanisms of drug dependency, drugs as stimuli, and basic neuropharmacology.
    • Note: other related upper-division courses (3000 level or above) may be accepted if approved by the Program Advisor and School Chair.

Program Administration

The procedure for awarding the certificate is initiated by the student obtaining a Petition for Certificate in Applied Physiology from the main office of the School of Applied Physiology, located in Room 113 of the Paul Weber Building.  The student will complete the petition by listing course work, grades earned and other requested information.   The completed form should be returned to the main office prior to midterm of the semester in which the student expects to graduate.The Program Coordinator, Ms. Joy Daniell (404-894-7658), will review the completed form and verify through the registrar that all requirements have been satisfied.Upon the student’s graduation, the Coordinator will forward the Certificate to the School Chair of Applied Physiology and Dean of the College of Sciences for their signatures.The Certificate will then be mailed to the student.