Experimental Physiology

Course Director: Dr. Majid

Instructors:  Drs. Majid , Swanson, Johnson, Elmslie, Awada

Goals and Objectives:   The course will focus on the basic functions of cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, skeletal muscle and cellular transport systems using anesthetized animal models (pigs, rats, frogs etc) as well as human volunteers. The student will practice some basic simple surgical procedures in anesthetized animals and will formulate experimental design and research ideas aimed at strengthening the foundations of their medical, surgical and research training.

Students in this course will:
1) learn fundamental regulatory mechanisms of some basic organs in a living system.
2) practice simple surgical procedures on a living animal.
3) acquire basic experience in conducting biological research in-vivo using animal models.
4) consider the ethics of using animals in research.

Methods of Instruction: The course will consist of laboratory exercises, research orientation and group discussions. Students will work in a group under the guidance of the instructor.

Requirements: Medical/ graduate students who have taken/will take the Human Physiology course.

Length of course: 16 weeks

Class hours per week: Four hours (Friday, 1pm to 5pm)

Grading: Medical students will receive a grade of Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory to be determined on the basis of attendance and participation. Graduate students will receive a letter grade. Attendance is mandatory. Excused absences may be granted only by the Dean, Department Chair or instructors.

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