Physiology and Neuroscience

Walter Kolbinger, PhD, Chair

Course Descriptions:
Physiology
Neuroscience

Physiology PHYS 560

The aim of this course is to provide each student with a clear understanding of the most important concepts and principles of medical physiology. The course has three principal components – lectures, laboratories, and clinical cases. The lectures provide the information base, while the laboratories and case studies provide the student with an opportunity to assimilate and integrate the material within a small group setting. The course is divided into two equal sections. The first half covers cardiovascular, endocrinology, and reproductive physiology. The second half covers gastrointestinal, renal, pulmonary, and integrative physiology. The integrative component consists of acid-base regulation, temperature regulation, and exercise physiology. Appropriate clinical perspectives are presented throughout the course. Review sessions are scheduled on a regular basis.

Laboratory

Four human laboratory exercises pertaining to cardiovascular, respiratory, and exercise physiology are included in the course. Computer-assisted applications are regularly used. For each of the laboratories, students work in groups of twelve to fifteen. Each group is assisted by a faculty member.

Clinical Case Studies

Six clinical case studies pertaining to cardiovascular, endocrine, respiratory, renal, and acid-base regulation are included in the course. For this portion of the program, classes are broken up into small discussion groups of twelve to fifteen students.

Neuroscience PHYS 510

This course is an interdisciplinary study of the function of the nervous system, entailing almost simultaneously its anatomy, histology, physiology, biochemistry, and some pharmacology and pathophysiology. Whenever feasible, the course presents concomitantly, rather than sequentially, the basic structures, mechanisms, and functions of the various interrelated neural systems. Neurological case studies presented as disorders of normal function are included as an integral component wherever possible. Neuropathology is introduced at the end of the course, after the discussion of normal function has been completed.

The first few weeks of the course include a general overview of basic elements, gross structure and basic vocabulary in the modules of neuroanatomy and cellular neuroscience. A module on the development of the central nervous system includes the embryological basis as well as the underlying molecular and genetic mechanisms. The systems and functions presented cursorily at first are re-introduced and dealt with in a more rigorous fashion, covering the basic electrical properties of cells, developing from membrane potentials through myoneural and synaptic transmission. They are followed by the study of modules on sensory systems, motor systems, autonomic control systems and complex brain functions and disesase processes, including higher cortical functions and neuropathology.

Laboratory

The lectures are supplemented by laboratory sessions that include considerations of the human gross brain, brain stem sections, and microscopic slides. A relevant clinical case study is discussed within each laboratory session.

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