Subject Physiology
Historical Background
On 1 February 1946 Dr. PJ Hamersma accepted a position in the Department of Animal Studies at the Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education with the instruction to lecture Physiology, Dietetics and Pharmacology. During this year thirteen students enrolled for Physiology I, and seven students continued with Physiology II during the next year.
Developments led to the establishment of the Department of Physiology in1948 with Dr. Hamersma as the Department Head. Apart from the mentioned subjects, the Department also presented Biochemistry in collaboration with the Department of Chemistry. The budget of the Department in 1948 consisted of a laboratory fund of £247-4-1.
During the Fifties, Dietetics and Home Economics became an independent Department and Pharmocology was taken over by the Pharmacy Department. Since 1955 Physiology has been presented as a three year major subject by the Department of Physiology.
On 10 April 1964 the current Physiology building was officially opened by Dr. A Hertzog, the Minister of Postal and Telegraph Services and Health.
Prof. PJ Pretorius became the Head of the Physiology Department in 1969 after Prof. Hamersma passed away. In 1973 the current Department of Biochemistry developed from the Department of Physiology with Dr. CJ Reinecke as the Department Head.
In 1991 Prof. PJ Pretorius retired and since January 1992 Prof. NT Malan has been the Head of the Department of Physiology.
In November 1998 the Department of Physiology was grouped together with the Department of Dietetics and Family Ecology to form the School for Physiology, Nutrition and Consumer Sciences.
The Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education merged with the University of North-West to form the new North-West University in January 2004. The Subject Group Physiology currently functions within the School for Physiology, Nutrition and Consumer Sciences in the Faculty of Health Sciences at the North-West University. Physiology research is conducted within the Research Focus Area 9.1 (Preventive and Therapeutic Interventions).
Job Opportunities
A wide variety of occupations require knowledge of Physiology. It is a basic medical science subject and plays an important role in any medical/paramedical study, including pharmacy, nursing, biokinetics (medicine and physiotherapy which may be studied at other universities). It is also possible to study Physiology in combination with other subjects, such as Biochemistry, Psychology and Nutrition. (These courses are discussed in detail in the Education section.)
Some employment possibilities in South Africa include:
Institutes and research units of the Medical Research Council Institutes and departments of medical schools which conduct research The National Centre for Occupational Health The Institute for Manpower studies and Ergonomy The Institute for Aviation Medicine The laboratories of the Department of Health in various cities and towns The Agricultural Research institutes and colleges for Veterinary Research The Mining Industry Teacher at secondary schools Technikons and universities (lecturer and/or researcher) Occupatioal Hygiene Reseach laboratories CSIR laboratory for Mining Technology (Occupational Hygiene) The research laboratories of Pharmaceutical companies Own employer as Occupational Hygienist
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