Course Description
Course integrates the physiological functions of the nervous, neuroendocrine, endocrine, and reproductive systems. A companion course, Integrative Systems Physiology I, will cover the integration of membrane physiology, mitochondrial bioenergetics, and the cardiopulmonary, renal, as well as gastrointestinal systems.
Athena Title
Integrative Systems Physiol II
Non-Traditional Format
Course is appropriate for graduate students in physiology, biosciences, and biomedical programs. Course delivery will include a mix of lectures, current research discussions/presentations, and integrative learning sessions that link functions across systems.
Semester Course Offered
Offered spring
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
This upper-level graduate course integrates the physiological functions of the nervous, neuroendocrine, endocrine, and reproductive systems. It is applicable to all graduate students in physiology, biosciences, and biomedical programs. The learning outcomes will foster an active approach to learning systems physiology and provide a basis for understanding and reviewing current research and experimental design in physiology. By the end of this course, students should be able to: 1. Understand and explain the major components and physiological functions of the nervous, neuroendocrine, endocrine, and reproductive systems. 2. Recognize and understand how different organ systems interact, leading to integrated physiological responses that maintain homeostasis and respond to dysfunction/disease. 3. Apply fundamental knowledge of these systems to critically review current primary research in this field and present/discuss key findings in class.
Topical Outline
Course delivery includes a mix of lectures, current research discussions/presentations, and integrative learning sessions linking functions across systems. Research discussions and integrative learning sessions will be interspersed throughout the course to complement lecture materials. A topical outline with subtopics for each system is listed below. Nervous and Neuroendocrine Systems • Neuronal membrane and neurotransmission • Motor and somatosensory systems • Special senses and nociception • Limbic system and emotion • Aging and neurodegeneration • Hypothalamic-releasing hormones and the HPA axis Endocrine System • Hormones and mechanism of action • Hypothalamic pituitary axis (HPA) and pituitary gland function • Thyroid gland and metabolic regulation • Parathyroid gland and calcium homeostasis • Pancreas and glucose balance • Adrenal gland and response to stress Reproductive System • Hormonal regulation of sex determination • Female and male gonad function and gamete development • Fertilization, recognition, and maintenance of pregnancy • Placentation and stages of pregnancy • Regulation of parturition
Syllabus
Public CV