BIOAP 4580 - Mammalian Physiology

(crosslisted) BIOMS 4580
(PBS-AS)

Spring. 3 credits. Letter grades only.

Prerequisite: BIOAP 3110 or BIOG 1440 with permission of instructor. Auditors allowed. Recommended for biological sciences majors, pre-med and pre-vet students, and beginning graduate students in physiology, engineering, nutrition, and animal science.

S. Libert.

The course will cover a number of selected topics in human physiology which will provide a fundamental understanding of physiological processes in normal and diseased states. First part of the course will concentrate on the basic strategies of cells and organisms to achieve homeostasis and will include topics such as trans-membrane transport, environment sensing, and electrical potential generation. Second part of the course will concentrate on the functionality of major mammalian systems, such as cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, hematopoietic, and nervous. We will discuss certain common diseases, such as metabolic syndrome, cancer, and neurodegeneration from cell biology point of view, as well as current treatment strategies. We will discuss the physiological consequences of the trends of modern life, such as increasingly sedentary life-style, high calorie intake, and increase of the population age. Weekly take-home problem sets will count for 50% of the final grade.

Outcome 1: Students will be able to critically assess and understand on the molecular level the processes vital for normal physiology and wide variety of diseases.

Outcome 2: Students will be able to understand and critically analyze primary research data and gage its applicability and limitations in medical practices.