Integration of professional competency development in a physiology capstone curriculum

Undergraduate science curricula increasingly emphasize professional competency development alongside disciplinary knowledge. In the physiology capstone laboratory course at Michigan State University, professional skills training is intentionally integrated with human physiology content to prepare students for postgraduate education and diverse career pathways. Students complete weekly professional development activities embedded within laboratory homework and in-class assignments. These activities are structured self-assessments and guided reflections focused on teamwork, communication, leadership, grit, conflict management, time management, critical thinking, and goal setting. Students complete self-assessment surveys aligned with the Michigan State University Career Services Network "12 Essentials for Success" to assess perceived professional skill proficiency. A culminating professional skills summary assignment requires students to synthesize reflections from across the semester and practice articulating transferable competencies for interviews and applications. This integrated approach provides a scalable model for embedding professional skills development within a discipline-specific physiology capstone curriculum.NEW & NOTEWORTHY This paper highlights a model for integrating professional competency development into an undergraduate physiology capstone laboratory. Through structured self-assessments, reflective assignments, and career-focused activities embedded alongside human physiology content, students gain practice recognizing, developing, and articulating transferable skills essential for postgraduate training and diverse career pathways.