Physiology Courses | 2025-2026 Academic Catalog | SIU

(University Core Curriculum) A course which relates the normal function of the human body to the disruptions which occur in a variety of disease states. Three lecture hours per week. Not open to students who have taken 310. With 208 (if not used for health) satisfies University Core Curriculum Science Group II requirement.

Credit Hours: 3

(University Core Curriculum course) Laboratory course which provides experiences with small animal experimentation and measurements made on the human subject. One two-hour laboratory per week. Prerequisite: completion of, or current enrollment in, PHSL 201. With 201 (if not used for health) satisfies the University Core Curriculum Science Group II requirement. Lab fee: $20.

Credit Hours: 1

A-B Sequence. Functional architecture of the human body. Tissues, skeletal, muscular and nervous systems. Three hour lectures and one three-hour laboratory per week. Not for major credit. Prerequisites: ZOOL 118 and CHEM 140A. Restricted to Pre-Nursing and Nursing majors. Lab fee: $25.

Credit Hours: 4

A-B Sequence. Functional architecture of the human body. Continuation of A. Endocrine, Circulatory, Respiratory, Digestive and Urinary systems. Three hours lectures and one three-hour laboratory per week. Not for major credit. Prerequisites: PHSL 240A. Restricted to Pre-Nursing and Nursing majors. Lab fee: $25.

Credit Hours: 4

Under exceptional circumstances, and with prior approval of the departmental chair, credit may be granted for practical experience or other work directly related to physiology. Mandatory Pass/Fail.

Credit Hours: 1-6

Under exceptional circumstances, and after petition to the departmental chair, credit may be granted for practical experience or other work directly related to physiology. Mandatory Pass/Fail.

Credit Hours: 1-6

Under special circumstances, advanced training in a paramedical or other field directly related to physiology can be used as a basis for granting credit in physiology. Such credit is sought by petition to the chair of department and requires approval of dean of the College of Science.

Credit Hours: 2-8

Lectures, demonstrations and observations of the prosected body, plus experiences in the anatomy laboratory. Course is designed for students in nursing, mortuary science, biological science, and related disciplines. Three lecture hours and one two-hour laboratory per week. Lab fee: $20.

Credit Hours: 4

(University Core Curriculum Course) Beginning course in human physiology designed for majors in physiology and other biological sciences, and recommended to pre-medical and other students considering biological sciences and health professions. Three lectures per week, one-hour discussion and one two-hour laboratory. NOTE: Lab includes both small animal experimentation as well as measurements made with human subjects. Satisfies the University Core Curriculum Human Health requirement in lieu of PHSL 201. Prerequisites: CHEM 210 or 215 or 215H, 211, 212 or 217 or 217H with grades of C- or better. Lab fee: $20.

Credit Hours: 5

(Same as WGSS 321) Comprehensive course examining the physiological basis of mammalian reproduction and the behavioral aspects of sexuality. Human sexuality and reproductive function is the primary focus. Topics include hormonal control, anatomy, ovulation, sexual response and behavior, fertilization, pregnancy and parturition. Human specific topics include reproductive medicine, STDs, paraphilias, birth control and infertility. Prerequisite: BIOL 211.

Credit Hours: 3

A-B sequence. Laboratory dissection of the human body with lectures as needed. Primarily for students majoring in physiology, biological sciences, anthropology or pre-medical fields. Prerequisite: PHSL 301. Enrollment by consent of instructor. Lab fee: $20.

Credit Hours: 5

A-B sequence. Laboratory dissection of the human body with lectures as needed. Primarily for students majoring in physiology, biological sciences, anthropology or pre-medical fields. Prerequisite: PHSL 301. Enrollment by consent of instructor. Lab fee: $20.

Credit Hours: 5

Examines the detailed structure of the human nervous system, linking structure to function at both the clinical and neurobiological level. The overall objective of the course will be a three-dimensional understanding of nervous system structure and organization, based upon anatomical connections, functions, and diseases. Enrollment requires consent of the instructor. Prerequisites: BIOL 211 or BIOL 213 and PHSL 301, PHSL 310, or PSYC 302 with grades of C or better. Lab fee: $25.

Credit Hours: 4

Embryology is the branch of anatomy that looks at the developmental events that occur prior to birth. This course is designed to provide a basic foundation in human embryology to undergraduate students who are interested in the biomedical sciences. We will explore human development from fertilization to birth. Our major focus will be on the morphological changes that take place during development, but we will also explore many of the underlying molecular mechanisms and relevant congenital anomalies. Prerequisites include BIOL 211 or 213 and PHSL 301 or 310 with a grade of C or better.

Credit Hours: 3

This course is intended to provide life sciences students with an introduction and understanding of mammalian tissues with a strong emphasis on human anatomy. The course utilizes self-directed and problem-based learning strategies employing on-line resources including virtual microscopy. By completing this course, successful students should 1) be familiar with the organization, structure, and appearance of mammalian tissues; 2) be able to recognize and identify tissues from all major mammalian organs; and 3) be able to describe the relationship between tissue conformation and organ function. Prerequisites: BIOL 211 and PHSL 301 with grades of C or better.

Credit Hours: 4

Physical and chemical organization and function in mammals, with emphasis on the human. Physiology of blood and circulation, respiration, digestion, metabolism, excretion, endocrines, sensory organs, nervous systems, muscle and reproduction. Primary course for all students majoring in physiology or related sciences. Four lectures per week. May be taken in any sequence. Prerequisite: CHEM 210 or 215 or 215H, 211, 212 or 217 or 217H with grades of C- or better; PHYS 203B and PHYS 253B or PHYS 205B and PHYS 255B; PHSL 310 with grades of C or better. Credit Hours: 4.

Credit Hours: 4

Physical and chemical organization and function in mammals, with emphasis on the human. Physiology of blood and circulation, respiration, digestion, metabolism, excretion, endocrines, sensory organs, nervous systems, muscle and reproduction. Primary course for all students majoring in physiology or related sciences. Four lectures per week. May be taken in any sequence. Prerequisite: CHEM 210 or 215 or 215H, 211, 212 or 217 or 217H with grades of C- or better; PHYS 203B and PHYS 253B or PHYS 205B and PHYS 255B; PHSL 310 with grades of C or better. Credit Hours: 4.

Credit Hours: 4

This online course is designed to introduce instructional theories and methods to students interested in teaching physiology or other similar subjects. It will provide coverage of various methods of classroom instruction, course management, assessment and evaluation. Students should finish the course prepared to be competent in critical teaching practices for lecture and lab courses as well as being proficient in promoting diversity and inclusiveness in the classroom.

Credit Hours: 2

Examines basic principles of pharmacology (pharmacokinetics) and the action of various classes of drugs on living organisms. Drug classes covered include those affecting most organ systems of the human body, such as the nervous, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal and renal systems as well as drugs used for antibiotic and cancer chemotherapy. Three lectures per week. Prerequisites: PHSL 310 or PHSL 410A,B, CHEM 340 and CHEM 341 (or equivalent) with grades of C or better.

Credit Hours: 3

Examines basic principles of pharmacology (pharmacokinetics) and the action of various classes of drugs on living organisms. Drug classes covered include those affecting most organ systems of the human body, such as the nervous, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal and renal systems as well as drugs used for antibiotic and cancer chemotherapy. Three lectures per week. Prerequisites: PHSL 310 or PHSL 410A,B, CHEM 340 and CHEM 341 (or equivalent) with grades of C or better.

Credit Hours: 3

(Same as ANS 426, ZOOL 426) Comparison of mechanisms influencing hormone release, hormone biosynthesis, and the effects of hormones on target tissues, including mechanisms of transport, receptor kinetics, and signal transduction. Prerequisites: PHSL 310 or ANS 331 or ZOOL 220 with a grade of C. Laboratory/Field Trip fee: $15.

Credit Hours: 3

This course will examine the molecular and cellular aspects of physiology in the context of human pituitary and neurological genetic disorders. Topics include experiments and model systems used to examine the regulation of gene expression, signaling pathways, protein activities, and cellular functions that underlie these disorders. Prerequisites: BIOL 306 or CHEM 350 & 351 with minimum grade of C or better.

Credit Hours: 3

(Same as ZOOL 433) Variations of physiological processes in animal phyla, comparison with human physiology, and physiological adaptation to environmental variation. Review of basic physiological principles and comparative aspects of mechanism and function. Prerequisites: BIOL 211, BIOL 212 & BIOL 213 or PHSL 310 with grades of C- or better.

Credit Hours: 3

Biomathematics, biomechanics and biotransport. Three lectures per week. Prerequisites: MATH 141 or 150; PHSL 310; PHYS 203 A&B and 253 A&B or PHYS 205 A&B and 255 A&B. May be taken in B,A sequence with consent of instructor.

Credit Hours: 3

Bioelectrics and bio-optics applied to physiological problems. Three lectures per week. Prerequisites: MATH 141 or 150; PHSL 310; PHYS 203 A&B and 253 A&B or PHYS 205 A&B and 255 A&B. May be taken in B,A sequence with consent of instructor.

Credit Hours: 3

Advanced, comprehensive course intended to supplement and expand the critical examination of topics covered in PHSL 320, Reproduction and Sexuality. The objectives of this class are to examine the physiological and behavioral basis of human reproduction and sexuality. Examining how humans reproduce from a physiological perspective including all aberrations and clinically relevant dysfunctions, as well as, the spectrum of human sexual behaviors including typical and atypical sexual behavior, paraphilias and diversity of human relationships. Prerequisite: PHSL 320.

Credit Hours: 3

Lecture course designed to introduce the student to the theory and principles of electron microscopy. Two lecture hours per week. Restricted to senior standing or permission of instructor.

Credit Hours: 2

Diagnostic and therapeutic modalities related to engineering. Cardiovascular, neural, sensory and respiratory instrumentation. Special approval needed from the instructor.

Credit Hours: 3

Study of the temporal aspects of diverse physiological and behavioral functions which possess diurnal and sectional periodicity. Species covered will include many eukaryotic organisms including plants, but will mainly stress mammals. Oscillations in sleep-wake cycle, locomotion, reproduction, hormonal secretion and numerous other processes will be explored. In addition, the effects of biological clocks in humans and the effect of jet lag and depression will be examined. Prerequisite: PHSL 310.

Credit Hours: 3

Goal of the journal club is to discuss current primary journal articles about cancer, often with an emphasis on ovarian cancer. Each semester a theme is selected to guide selection of articles. Grade is based on: 1) presentation; 2) participation; 3) short essay on each journal article that is discussed. Each student presents at least one journal article per semester and is expected to participate in the discussion of each paper that is presented. Faculty and graduate students also present articles for discussion to provide examples of how to read and discuss primary scientific literature. Student will, with instructor approval, choose either 1 cr/hr for a research paper component for which they write a 10 page research paper reviewing current literature related to the journal club's theme for the semester or a different cancer theme as determined by the instructor, or select 2 cr/hrs for journal club participation as outlined above, or 3 cr/hrs for completing both course components. Prerequisite: PHSL 310 with a B or better or concurrent enrollment.

Credit Hours: 1-3

Readings, writings, presentations and discussions of current topics in physiology. One hour per week. Not for graduate credit. Restricted to senior standing or consent of instructor.

Credit Hours: 1

Supervised readings and laboratory research in physiology directed by a member of the physiology faculty. Undergraduate honors students only. By special arrangement with the instructor in the physiology department with whom the student wishes to work.

Credit Hours: 3-8

Supervised readings and laboratory research in physiology directed by a member of the physiology faculty. Open to undergraduate students only. By special arrangement with the instructor in the physiology department with whom the student wishes to work. No more than 3 hours may be counted as electives towards the major in physiology.

Credit Hours: 1-8