Course Descriptions

FISA 8503 Seminar in Physiology. One semester credit.

The seminars are presented by the students. The seminar themes and dates are selected in consultation with the professor in charge. Each student may present one or more seminar depending on course enrollment.

FISA 8504 Seminar in Physiology. Two semester credits.

The seminars are presented by the students. The seminar themes and dates are selected in consultation with the professor in charge. Each student may present two or more seminars, depending on course enrollment.

FISA 8510 Biophysics. Three semester credits.

A seminar course in Biophysics with detailed discussion of special topics on this subject as selected by or assigned to graduate students.

FISA 8511 Seminar in Endocrinology. Two semester credits. Two hours of lecture per week. Prerequisite: FISA 8541 and 8543.

Topics of current interest in endocrine physiology. Mechanisms of hormone action, control of hormone secretion, hormonal effects, hormone interactions. State-of-the-art topics in endocrinology.

FISA 8512 Cardiovascular Physiology. Two semester credits. Prerequisite: FISA 8541 and 8543.

The course combines lectures and seminars including detailed discussions of specific problems in cardiovascular physiology such as electrophysiology of heart muscle, cardiac work, control of cardiac function, peripheral circulation, indicator dilution techniques, etc.

FISA 8515 Respiratory Physiology. Three semester credits. Prerequisite: FISA 8541 and 8543.

Combined lecture-seminar course with discussion of assigned or selected special topics in general respiratory physiology, exercise and/or aviation physiology.

FISA 8516 Physiology of the Kidney and Body Fluids. Two semester credits. Prerequisite: FISA 8541 and 8543.

The course focuses on the mechanisms of urine formation, the factors concerned with glomerular filtration rate and blood flow, tubular function (handling of organic and inorganic substances and physico-chemical factors in transfer mechanisms). It also includes the role of hormones, the composition and distribution of body fluids and electrolytes, and the role of the kidney in acid-base balance regulation.

FISA 8518 Mathematics for Biologists. Two semester credits.

Contents of the course are: The concept function. The derivative of a function. Rules for obtaining derivatives. Exponential function. The primitive of a function. Principle theorem of integral calculus. Geometric interpretation of derivatives. Some normal differential equations. This course will be offered when requested by five or more students.

FISA 8525 Introduction to Neurosciences. Three semester credits. Prerequisite: FISA 8541, 8543, and 8532.

Introduction to Neuroscience presents the fundamentals of neuroscience, integrating basic knowledge, theories, and research methods from multiple disciplines, such as anatomy, physiology, psychology and pharmacology. Topics include electrophysiology, design principles of neural circuits, sensory and motor processing, and the integrative functions of arousal, motivational systems and neural plasticity.

FISA 8526 Seminar on Brain and Behavior. Three semester credits. Prerequisite: Neurophysiology.

Each semester a specific area of psychobiology will be reviewed in depth. These areas might include sleep, learning, motivation, emotion, sensory, coding, motor control, psychoactive drugs, etc. Original research will be read and discussed with the goal of assessing the actual data base of current concepts and knowledge in the chosen area.

FISA 8531 Physical Instrumentation for Biologists. Two semester credits.

The theory and practical applications of physical instruments used in biological studies, including elementary electronics. The student handles and learns to use stimulators, amplifiers, cathode ray oscilloscope, recorders and other electrical, optical and mechanical instruments. The course will be offered when requested by five or more students.

FISA 8532 Advanced Physical Instrumentation. Three semester credits.

This course is designed to offer students an opportunity to learn hands-on many of the techniques and the use of instrumentation commonly used in research in the area of physiology. Investigators from the Physiology Department will introduce the students to the research projects currently carried on in their laboratories and the students, together with the investigator, will perform a small experiment in the investigator's laboratory.

FISA 8540 Molecular Cell Physiology

FISA 8541 Problems in Physiology I. Three semester credits.

This course will offer students fundamental principles and facts of animal and human physiology. The course progresses from the cell to organ systems to the whole organism, using model systems when appropriate. The course consists of four sections. Part one presents cellular physiology with an emphasis on membrane ion transport, osmotic regulation, and kidney function. Part two deals with muscle and cardiovascular physiology. Part three presents respiration, gas exchange between the environment and the organism. Finally, part four deals with endocrine physiology. The presentation of material will be in the form of lectures, papers discussions, and demonstrations. The ultimate goal of this course is to enable students to understand the essential facts and basic concepts of animal and human physiology.

FISA 8542 Directed Readings. Three semester credits.

The student will be assigned selected readings from the literature and will meet with the professors to discuss and analyze the material.

FISA 8543 Problems in Physiology II. Three semester credits.

This course is a continuation of the fundamental principles and facts of animal and human physiology taught in the first semester (FISA 8541). The course consists of four sections: Neurophysiology, Reproductive Physiology, Gastrointestinal Physiology and Physiological Adaptations to Special Environments. The presentation of material will be in the form of lectures, discussions of scientific papers and demonstrations. Animal models wil be used when appropriate to help in the presentation of fundamental concepts of general physiology. The ultimate goal of the course is to enable students to understand the essential facts and basic concepts of animal and human physiology.

FISA 8551 Problems in Physiology III. Three semester credits.

Topics assigned may include laboratory work, lectures, or literature review.

FISA 8552 Problems in Physiology IV. Three semester credits.

Topics assigned may include laboratory work, lectures, or literature review.

FISA 8595 Master Thesis. Six semester credits.

Research for Master's Thesis.

FISA 8599 Doctor Thesis. Fifteen semester credits.

Research for Doctor's Thesis.