BAM Program in Integrative Physiology

5 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Colorado Boulder

Program Overview

The BAM Program in Integrative Physiology at the University of Colorado Boulder combines the undergraduate B.S. in Integrative Physiology with an accelerated pathway into a Master of Science, allowing qualified students to begin graduate coursework during their undergraduate studies and complete both degrees in a shorter period. The program suits students interested in human health, physiology, research and allied-health fields, with study spanning anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, endocrinology, immunology, exercise physiology, neurophysiology and sleep physiology.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students build their scientific foundation through General Biology 1, General Biology 2, General Biology Laboratory 1, General Biology Laboratory 2 and General Chemistry 1, while Introduction to Medical Terminology for Future Health Professionals introduces terminology relevant to healthcare settings.

Year 2: The curriculum progresses into quantitative and human-science foundations through General Chemistry 2, Intro to Data Science and Biostatistics, Human Anatomy and Human Physiology, alongside General Physics 1. This stage strengthens students' ability to connect biological systems with quantitative analysis and human-body function.

Year 3: Students move into more advanced physiological study through Physiology Lab or Virtual Human Physiology Laboratory and upper-division IPHY coursework. Major courses and upper-division electives allow students to explore specialized areas of integrative physiology while developing stronger scientific and analytical skills.

Year 4: Students complete advanced major requirements and can take Human Anatomy Laboratory and additional upper-division IPHY courses, building the depth needed for graduate-level study. The BAM structure then allows eligible students to incorporate graduate coursework that can count toward both degrees, with up to 12 graduate credits permitted during undergraduate status and specified credits eligible for double counting.

Year 5: Students transition into the M.S. in Integrative Physiology, completing graduate-level study while continuing their development as researchers. The BAM program requires at least five graduate credits per semester after the transition to master's status, and students complete either IPHY 6840 or IPHY 6950 in their final MS semester.

Focus areas: Human anatomy, human physiology, cell physiology, endocrinology, biomechanics, sleep physiology, immunology, exercise physiology and neurophysiology.

Learning outcomes: Students develop knowledge of anatomical and physiological concepts, apply knowledge of the human body to real-world contexts, interpret visual data such as graphs and tables, and build skills applicable to advanced training, research and diverse career pathways.

Professional alignment (accreditation): The official CU Boulder program and catalog pages do not state a specific professional accreditation for the Integrative Physiology B.S. or BAM program; therefore, no program-specific accreditation is listed here.

Reputation (employability rankings): Integrative Physiology is one of CU Boulder's most enrolled majors, and CU Boulder reports that 91% of graduates were working or in graduate school six months after graduation, with a $55,000 median starting salary for CU Boulder bachelor's graduates. These figures are university-wide rather than specific to Integrative Physiology.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The B.S. in Integrative Physiology at the University of Colorado Boulder gives students substantial hands-on opportunities through physiology laboratories, human anatomy experiences, independent research and internships. Students can work in faculty-led research laboratories, earn academic credit through supervised research, gain clinical or field experience through the department’s internship program, and develop practical skills through courses such as Human Anatomy Laboratory and Physiology Lab. The department has 19 research laboratories covering areas from movement and biomechanics to sleep, vascular biology, neurobiology and molecular physiology.

Practical learning opportunities include:

Physiology Laboratory: IPHY 3435 Physiology Lab gives students hands-on experience in human physiology and emphasizes applying the scientific method through experimentation.
Virtual Laboratory: IPHY 3437 Virtual Human Physiology Laboratory uses laboratory simulations to explore selected aspects of human physiology.
Human Anatomy Laboratory: IPHY 3415 Human Anatomy Laboratory provides practical anatomy training, with opportunities for qualified students to become teaching assistants or participate as dissecting interns.
Research Laboratories: Students can participate as undergraduate researchers across 19 IPHY research laboratories, including Applied Biomechanics, Applied Exercise Science, Integrative Vascular Biology, Molecular Biology of Neurodegeneration, Neurophysiology of Movement, Sleep and Chronobiology and Stress Physiology.
Independent Research: Students can complete supervised research for academic credit through IPHY 4860 Independent Study, with participating laboratories offering research experiences ranging from 1–6 credits.
Research Funding: Undergraduate researchers can apply for the IPHY Undergraduate Research Award, which provides up to $2,000 for a summer or $1,000 per semester for eligible research activities.
Internships: The department's internship program covers laboratory, clinical and field settings; students can earn academic credit, with 771 internships sponsored from Spring 2019 through Summer 2025.
Clinical Experience: Approved clinical internship affiliations include Children’s Hospital, Denver Health, National Jewish Health, Boulder Community Health, Banner Health, Clinica Family Health and other healthcare organizations.
Global Internships: IPHY 4950 Global Internship provides customized 8-week summer placements based on students’ skills, interests and area of study.
Research Teamwork: Some laboratories specifically require students to work as part of a research team; for example, the Sleep and Chronobiology Laboratory provides undergraduate research opportunities with a minimum one-year commitment and team-based research experience.
Human Movement Technology: The BS curriculum includes Analysis of Human Movement with Smart-Phone Technology, providing a technology-based laboratory option for analyzing human movement.
Research-to-Career Experience: Undergraduate researchers may progress from volunteering to independent study, UROP funding, honors thesis work and even coauthoring research manuscripts, depending on the laboratory.
BAM Research Pathway: Students admitted to the BAM in Integrative Physiology can begin graduate coursework while completing the bachelor's degree and continue working with established faculty mentors, with both degrees designed to be completed in five years.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The B.S. in Integrative Physiology prepares students to apply human physiology and biological science to clinical practice, research, health education, sports medicine, rehabilitation and industry. The program is particularly relevant for students planning advanced health-profession training, while also supporting direct employment in areas such as fitness, research and health-related services.

Career roles: Physical Therapy Aide, Medical Assistant, Researcher, Fitness Instructor.
Career support: CU Boulder Career Services provides career planning and job resources, while the Office of Pre-Health Advising supports students preparing for professional schools such as medicine, physical therapy, dentistry, pharmacy and physician assistant programs.
Employment statistics: CU Boulder reports that 91% of graduates were working or in graduate school six months after graduation, with a $55,000 median starting salary for CU Boulder bachelor's graduates; specifically, the Integrative Physiology program reports a $46,000 median salary 1–5 years after graduation.
Industry & professional connections: The department maintains an extensive alumni network across healthcare, sports medicine, research and industry, including alumni associated with Skratch Labs, the University of Colorado School of Medicine, Penn State and L’Oréal-UNESCO/INSERM research.
Research opportunities: Students can participate in the department's 19 research laboratories, including Applied Biomechanics, Applied Exercise Science, Integrative Vascular Biology, Molecular Biology of Neurodegeneration, Neurophysiology of Movement and Sleep and Chronobiology.
Research funding: The IPHY Undergraduate Research Award provides up to $2,000 for a summer or $1,000 for a fall or spring semester for eligible undergraduate research conducted in an IPHY laboratory.
Accreditation value: The official Integrative Physiology program pages do not state a program-specific professional accreditation; therefore, no specific accreditation benefit should be assumed.
Graduation outcomes: Recent IPHY graduates have progressed into medical school, physical therapy, pharmacy, dentistry, nursing, graduate research and health-and-wellness roles, demonstrating the program's flexibility for both employment and advanced study.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the B.S., students can pursue medical school, physical therapy, physician assistant, pharmacy, dentistry or other health-professional programs, as well as graduate study and research. CU Boulder also offers a Bachelor's-Accelerated Master's (BAM) pathway in Integrative Physiology that allows selected students to complete bachelor's and master's degrees in approximately five years, including advanced coursework and an independent research project.