Professional skills for physiology majors: defining and refining

Area of Science:

• Physiology Education
• Higher Education Pedagogy

Background:

• Evolving labor markets necessitate adaptable graduates with transferable skills.
• Universities and professional organizations are creating lists of expected graduate competencies.
• A specific need was identified to define professional skills for undergraduate physiology majors.

Discussion:

• A professional skills committee was formed to address the need for defined undergraduate physiology skills.
• An iterative refinement process involved educator input from international meetings and online surveys.
• Over 60 physiology educators contributed to the final skill list.

Key Insights:

• A final list of 13 transferable professional skills for physiology undergraduates was developed.
• Skills are categorized into critical thinking, effective communication, responsible conduct, and laboratory proficiency.
• This list is intended for curriculum mapping and the creation of new physiology programs.

Outlook:

• The professional skills list will guide curriculum development and the design of new physiology courses.
• Future work includes developing assessment rubrics and tools for these identified skills.
• The initiative aims to enhance the employability and career readiness of physiology graduates.