Professor John Orem, Chairperson.

Professors Davies, Heavner, Janssen, Kurtzman, Lutherer, McGrath, Sabatini, and Wesson; Associate Professors Fowler, Laski, Nathan, Pressley, and J. Strahlendorf; Assistant Professors Györke, Martinez-Zaguilan, Neely, and Sarvazyan.

This department offers study in the following graduate degree programs: PHYSIOLOGY, Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy. The program is designed primarily to train persons for careers in biomedical research and/or teaching in medical institutions or industry, but can accommodate those interested in alternative careers in physiology. Faculty research programs are diverse, encompassing the general areas of systemic, cardiovascular, renal, and neurophysiology. Specific areas include membrane biophysics, Ca++ channels and other membrane transporters, pH and Ca++ homeostasis, Na+/K+ ATPase, excitation-contraction coupling, oxygen free radicals and cell injury, apoptosis, neuronal protective mechanisms, particle toxicology, cerebral blood flow, hypertension, shock, sleep and control of respiratory and cardiovascular function.

Applicants should have a demonstrated interest in research and preferably have identified an area for their dissertation research. Assistantships are granted only to students in the Ph.D. program. All candidates for graduate degrees who hold assistantships must fulfill certain requirements while appointed as assistants.

GPHY 5803 is normally a prerequisite for all courses in or above the 6000 level but may be waived for students in other programs with approval of the instructor. Enrollment in GPHY 5803 is limited to students admitted to degree programs and requires approval by the thesis director and the department chairperson.

Courses in Physiology. (GPHY)

5350. Laboratory Methods in Physiology (3:0:3). Fundamental principles of physiology are explored through a series of hands-on laboratory exercises. Numerous techniques common to research in many fields will be introduced.

5450. The Biologic Basis for Disease: Paradigms for the 21st Century (4:3:0). Prerequisite: GPHY 5502 or consent of instructor. Survey of major diseases, their pathophysiology and relevant clinical manifestations. Designed to integrate mechanisms of molecular and organ physiology with the pathogenesis of human disease. For graduate students in degree granting programs in the health sciences and biology.

5502. Human Physiology: Cellular and Integrated Mechanisms (5:5:0). Prerequisite: College biology and consent of instructor. An introduction to the physiology of mammalian organ systems placing emphasis on the human. Subject matter includes membrane transport, muscle, cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, water and electrolyte balance, gastrointestinal, and endocrine physiology as well as neurophysiology.

5603. Advanced Physiology (6:6:3). A study in human physiology emphasizing body-controlling systems and their interrelationships.

5803. Medical Physiology (8:7:4). A study in human physiology emphasizing body-controlling systems and their interrelationships. Pathological mechanisms are also stressed.

6000. Master's Thesis (V1-6).

6105, 6205, 6305. Topics in Physiology (1:1:0; 2:2:0; 3:3:0). Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. Specific areas of physiology not normally included in other courses (renal, neurophysiology, environmental, cardiovascular). May be repeated for credit with change in content.

6300. Advanced Neurophysiology I: Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience (3:3:0). Prerequisite: GPHY 5803 or consent of instructor. Discussion of the structure and function of ion channels, neurotransmitters, and the mechanisms of synaptic transmission.

6304. Health Effects of Environmental Pollutants (3:3:0). Prerequisite: College biology and chemistry and consent of instructor. The physiological changes and potential health effects associated with energy usage and development. Emphasis is on understanding mechanisms of actions, effects of extreme environmental and occupational conditions (i.e., altitude, temperature, pollution), and risk evaluation. Offered even years only.

6309. Advanced Neurophysiology II (3:3:0). Prerequisite: GPHY 5803 and GIDN 5910 with consent of instructor. Addresses neural systems. Topics will be from the following: sensory-motor systems; control of respiration and the cardiovascular system; sleep and wakefulness.

6310. Advanced Cardiovascular Physiology (3:3:0). Prerequisite: GPHY 5803 and consent of instructor. Advanced level coverage of topics in cardiovascular physiology with much material being covered in reviews of the research literature.

6311. Cellular and Molecular Physiology (3:3:0). Prerequisite: GIDN 5910 or GPHY 5502 or consent of instructor. The study of the structure and function of ion channels and active transporters, excitation-contraction coupling, and mechanisms of cell damage and death.

6314. Membrane Biophysics (3:3:0). Students are introduced to the mechanisms of ion transport through membrane channels; models of membrane excitability; molecular structures of ion channels and their physiological functions.

6315. Physiology of Neuroeffector Systems (3:3:0). A consideration of adrenergic, cholinergic, histaminic, and serotonin receptor systems and their physiological applications. Offered summers even years only.

6341. Renal Physiology (3:3:0). Recent advances in the normal and pathophysiological mechanisms of the kidney are discussed and correlated.

7000. Research (V1-12).

7101. Physiology Seminar (1:1:0). This weekly seminar series provides invited speakers from this and other departments as well as other universities and laboratories with the opportunity to present their current research in some area of physiology.

7102. Readings in Physiology (1:1:0). Students review literature on special topics of research. (Students may be assigned or may select these topics.) May be repeated for credit.

7103. Supervised Teaching in Physiology (1:1:0). Prerequisite: GPHY 5803. Supervised teaching experience including leading laboratory groups and small-group discussions and presenting lectures in some departmental courses (all under faculty supervision).

8000. Doctor's Dissertation (V1-12).