Physiology

Faculty Contact:
Francisco Villarreal(fvillarr@ucsd.edu)

Physiology focuses on the study of biological systems at many levels of complexity ranging from molecules and genes, to cells, organs, and organisms. The goal of this track is to prepare students to address mechanistic questions in both humans and model organisms. Physiological training has the ultimate goal of linking molecular information to function. Likewise, because physiology is central to medicine, physiology students will be well-trained to study issues directly relevant to human disease. Physiology track students will be trained via the BMS core curriculum as well as specialized courses that highlight the complexity of normal and abnormal integrative biology. Track faculty are happy to work with students who wish to incorporate advanced physiological training into an individualized program of instruction.

After finishing three rotations in any of the BMS laboratories, students specializing in physiology can choose to do their thesis research in a number of laboratories. Physiology faculty are engaged in the study of all major organ systems and are investigating physiological phenomena at levels ranging from molecules to organs. This diverse group of faculty is united by a common interest in integrative function. In the context of the thesis laboratory, the student's training will be supplemented with journal clubs and research seminars specific to the area of interest.

Participating Faculty

Kim E. Barrett Roland C. Blantz Laurence L. Brunton Shu Chien James W. Covell Michael C. Hogan Richard L. Lieber Jerrold M. Olefsky Frank Powell Morton P. Printz Robert Ross Geert Schmid-Schoenbein Francisco Javier Villarreal Peter D. Wagner John B. West Jason X. Yuan

Required course work for BMS students

BMS students take a core curriculum that provides the foundation to allow them to specialize in any of the offered tracks, focus areas, or customized study. In the Fall quarter, "Molecules to Organisms" provides a systematic approach to current Biomedical Research, using analysis of selected topics to focus on the process of research discovery and its critical evaluation. "Seminar in Biomedical Research" includes attendance at one of the UCSD seminar series and is designed to provoke critical discussion of the presented findings and scientific approaches in a small group setting. BMS students also take short courses in statistical analysis of data and ethics in research in the third quarter of their first year.

Specialized Coursework		Units
Physiology Requirements (6 units):
NEW	BIOM 212 A/B Drugs and Disease: the pathophysiological and molecular bases of disease and drug therapy (Barrett/Heller Brown)	3

Recommended Electives:			Units
	Pharmacology	Systems Pharmacology and Translational Biology (Brunton) (Intensive three-week summer lab course)	3
	BIOM 250	Modern Methodologies in Physiological Science (Hogan)	2
New	BIOM	Fluorescence Tools for Cellular and Molecular Events (Tsien)	?
	BIOM 231	Careers in Biomedical Sciences (Heller-Brown)	1
New	BIOM	Critical Reading in Physiology (Physiology faculty)	2
New	BIOM	Functional Genomics and Systems Biology (Powell)	2
	BME 207	Neuromuscular Physiology and Mechanics	3
	BME 211, 12 and 13	Systems Biology and Bioengineering	?
	BME 230C and D	Cardiovascular, Respiratory and Renal Physiology	4
	BME 238	Molecular Biology of Cardiovascular System	4
	BME 241 A,B and C	Tissue Engineering Science	4
	BME 250	A and B Biomechanics	4
	BME 253	Biomechanic Transport Phenomena	4
	BME 267	Microcirculation	4

NOTE: Bioengineering (BME) courses may have prerequisites so check the catalog or contact the instructor.

Non-course Requirements

Physiology Seminars (1 unit). Students are required to participate in the monthly Physiology seminar series and in at least one specialized seminar series. Typically this will be the regular seminar series attended by major professors in physiology.

Journal Club. Students are required to participated in a journal club linked to their thesis laboratory (e.g., Muscle Physiology, Respiratory and Exercise Physiology, Cardiovascular Physiology, Cellular Physiology). Students read and critically analyze recent papers in the field with other faculty, students and postdoctoral trainees.