Best institutions to study Aerospace Physiology and Medicine
A program that focuses on the scientific study of the physiological processes involved in low and high-altitude flight and living in space and related low-pressure and low-gravity environments, including sensorimotor interactions, response mechanisms, and the effects of injury, disease, and disability.
3 U.S. institutions graduated 40 Aerospace Physiology and Medicine students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 26.0912, a specialization of Physiology (CIP 26.09), and leads most directly to the Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists occupation (BLS SOC 19-1042).
About Aerospace Physiology and Medicine programs
A program that focuses on the scientific study of the physiological processes involved in low and high-altitude flight and living in space and related low-pressure and low-gravity environments, including sensorimotor interactions, response mechanisms, and the effects of injury, disease, and disability. Includes instruction in anatomy, molecular and cellular basis of muscle contraction, fuel utilization, neurophysiology of motor mechanics, systemic physiological responses (respiration, blood flow, endocrine secretions, and others), fatigue and exhaustion, systemic environmental pathologies, muscle and body training, physiology of specific exercises and activities, physiology of injury, and the effects of disabilities and disease.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Aerospace Physiology and Medicine program focuses on the scientific study of physiological processes related to flight and living in space. It explores the effects of low and high-altitude environments on the human body, including sensorimotor interactions and responses to injury and disease. This program is ideal for students interested in the intersection of biology and aerospace science.
Students will gain knowledge in anatomy, neurophysiology, and systemic physiological responses. Coursework covers topics such as muscle contraction, fatigue, and the physiological effects of exercise and injury, equipping graduates with essential skills for research and application in aerospace settings.
Credentials awarded
What Aerospace Physiology and Medicine graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree34 graduates / yr · 1 institution85%
- Master's degree5 graduates / yr · 1 institution13%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate1 graduates / yr · 1 institution2.5%
Graduates over time
Aerospace Physiology and Medicine completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 7 |
| 2021 | 9 |
| 2022 | 28 |
| 2023 | 30 |
| 2024 | 40 |
| 2025 | 40 |
Top 3 institutions for Aerospace Physiology and Medicine, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Embry - Riddle Aeronautical University - Daytona Beach Daytona Beach, FLPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 34 | 67% | $38,899 |
| 2 | The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston Galveston, TXPublicMaster's | 5 | — | — |
| 3 | Case Western Reserve University Cleveland, OHPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert. | 1 | 87% | $27,976 |
Offered in 3 states
Where Aerospace Physiology and Medicine graduates come from. Each state links to all Physiology programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida | 1 | 34 | Embry - Riddle Aeronautical University - Daytona Beach34 / yr |
| Texas | 1 | 5 | The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston5 / yr |
| Ohio | 1 | 1 | Case Western Reserve University1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-1042, Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists, and its national outlook.
Graduates of Aerospace Physiology and Medicine can pursue careers as Medical Scientists, Natural Sciences Managers, or Biological Science Teachers. The job outlook is much faster than average, with an expected growth rate of 8.7% and about 9,600 annual openings. The median wage for this field is approximately $100,590, typically requiring a doctoral or professional degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 26.0912
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologistsprimary SOC 19-1042 | $103,410 | +8.7% Much faster than average | ~9,600 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Natural Sciences Managers SOC 11-9121 | $167,220 | +3.7% About as fast as average | ~8,500 | Bachelor's degree |
Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1042 | $84,620 | +7.3% Faster than average | ~5,400 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
- Experience
- Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
- Training
- Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Aerospace Physiology and Medicine programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Follow strict safety procedures when handling toxic materials to avoid contamination.
- Evaluate effects of drugs, gases, pesticides, parasites, and microorganisms at various levels.
- Plan and direct studies to investigate human or animal disease, preventive methods, and treatments for disease.
- Prepare and analyze organ, tissue, and cell samples to identify toxicity, bacteria, or microorganisms or to study cell structure.
- Conduct research to develop methodologies, instrumentation, and procedures for medical application, analyzing data and presenting findings to the scientific audience and general public.
- Teach principles of medicine and medical and laboratory procedures to physicians, residents, students, and technicians.
Tools and technology used
Other Physiology specializations
The 12 other 6-digit CIP codes under Physiology (CIP 26.09).
- Exercise Physiology and KinesiologyCIP 26.09088,332 graduates / yr155 institutions
- PhysiologyCIP 26.09013,004 graduates / yr70 institutions
- Pathology/CIP 26.0910
Experimental Pathology 306 graduates / yr36 institutions - Oncology and Cancer BiologyCIP 26.0911235 graduates / yr31 institutions
- Vision Science/CIP 26.0909
Physiological Optics 219 graduates / yr12 institutions - Physiology, Pathology, and Related SciencesCIP 26.0999218 graduates / yr10 institutions
- BiomechanicsCIP 26.0913partial data70 graduates / yr6 institutions
- Cardiovascular ScienceCIP 26.0907partial data61 graduates / yr4 institutions
- Molecular PhysiologyCIP 26.0902partial data44 graduates / yr9 institutions
- Cell PhysiologyCIP 26.0903partial data32 graduates / yr7 institutions
- Reproductive BiologyCIP 26.0905partial data31 graduates / yr3 institutions
- EndocrinologyCIP 26.0904limited data6 graduates / yr2 institutions
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's degree, Master's degree, or a Postbaccalaureate certificate.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in writing, critical thinking, active learning, and science.
What careers can I pursue after graduation?+
You can work as a Medical Scientist, Natural Sciences Manager, or Biological Science Teacher.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook is much faster than average, with an 8.7% growth rate and 9,600 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Aerospace Physiology and Medicine?+
Aerospace Physiology and Medicine is CIP 26.0912 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Physiology (CIP 26.09). NCES defines it as: A program that focuses on the scientific study of the physiological processes involved in low and high-altitude flight and living in space and related low-pressure and low-gravity environments, including sensorimotor interactions, response mechanisms, and the effects of injury, disease, and disability. Includes instruction in anatomy, molecular and cellular basis of muscle contraction, fuel utilization, neurophysiology of motor mechanics, systemic physiological responses (respiration, blood flow, endocrine secretions, and others), fatigue and exhaustion, systemic environmental pathologies, muscle and body training, physiology of specific exercises and activities, physiology of injury, and the effects of disabilities and disease.
How many institutions offer Aerospace Physiology and Medicine programs?+
3 U.S. institutions reported Aerospace Physiology and Medicine graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 3 states, awarding 40 credentials in the year. That is 0.3% of all Physiology graduates.
How much do Aerospace Physiology and Medicine graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists occupation, which Aerospace Physiology and Medicine most directly leads to, pays a median of $103,410 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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