Department of Physiology
Professor and Chair
Meredith Bond, PhD
The Department of Physiology provides lecture, laboratory and seminar coursework in the principles of human physiology for medical students and graduate students. Also offered are advanced courses in specialized areas of physiology for graduate students, fellows and interested medical students (see Graduate School catalog).
Research Interests
The faculty of the Department of Physiology are dedicated to elucidating fundamental new information about the mechanisms that underlie physiological processes. Many of the department’s research programs focus on four general areas: cell and membrane physiology, neurobiology, reproductive biology and endocrinology, cardiovascular physiology and renal physiology. The research programs encompass a number of topics with direct clinical relevance, including projects related to cardiac arrhythmias, congestive heart failure, reproduction and contraception, diabetes, cancer, epilepsy and hypertension. Medical students are encouraged to participate in research activities during summer and other elective periods. Opportunities for combined MD/PhD training are also available.
Undergraduate Medical Program
First and Second Years
The Department of Physiology is a major participant in the freshman curriculum with faculty teaching primarily in Functional Systems (Block IV) and Neurosciences (Block V) in the first year.
Other opportunities:
A number of elective courses, advanced seminars and research in special areas of physiology are open to interested students during the independent study or senior elective period or other free time. A combined MD/PhD program requiring additional coursework and original research is offered for highly qualified medical students. (See Graduate School catalog for additional advanced courses.)
Fourth Year
MPHY 542:
Seminars in Physiology Elective. Advanced seminars in selected fields of physiology (e.g. cardiovascular, renal, endocrine and neural) are offered by arrangement with faculty each semester.
MPHY 548:
Research Elective in Physiology in Selected Fields. Students may elect to carry out independent research programs in faculty laboratories.