Anatomist/ Physiologist

Anatomists and physiologists are related health professionals who study the anatomy and physiology of humans to understand human diseases and help to improve human health. Anatomists focus on the body’s structures while physiologists focus on how those structures work.¹

Anatomy and physiology are cornerstone of medical science and encompass a wide scientific field. Anatomists can carry out studies in the fields of human biology, endocrinology, histology, physical anthropology, plants or animal anatomy.

Similarly, different types of physiologists work in different fields such as human physiology, animal physiology, plant physiology, molecular physiology, environmental physiology, and applied physiology among others.

How to be an Anatomist or Physiologist in South Africa

Get the Required Qualifications

Qualifications required to be an anatomist or physiologist can vary depending on the specific career path you wish to take; however, you will typically need the following qualifications to become an anatomist or physiologist in South Africa:

1. Certificate (National Senior Certificate /NC(V)
2. Bachelor’s Degree (Bachelor of Science in Medical Sciences )
3. Three year’s workplace experience 

Demonstrate Competence in the Required Subjects

Different educational institutions may have different admission requirements; however, you will typically be required to demonstrate competency in the following subjects:

• Mathematics
• Physical Science
• Biology

Accumulate Years of Relevant Study and Experience

Pursuing an anatomist or physiologist career in South Africa typically takes at least 6 years of studying.

Find Relevant Employment Opportunities

There are many places where anatomists and physiologists can work. Some of these are:

• Research organisations and laboratories
• Universities and colleges
• Medical and healthcare facilities
• Rehabilitation medical centres
• Pharmaceutical companies

Find More Information from Relevant Regulatory Bodies

To find more information about anatomists and physiologists in South Africa, contact the South African Council for Natural Science Practitioners.

Anatomist/ Physiologist Related Careers

• Science jobs
• Medical jobs
• Healthcare jobs
• Hospital jobs
• Physical science jobs
• STEM jobs

References

^{1.Willaims, S. C. P. (n.d.). What is physiology? WebMD. Retrieved May 11, 2022, from https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/what-is-physiology  ↩}