The Department of Physiology occupies 10,000 square feet of space on the second floor of Lewis Hall, the main teaching and research facility on the EVMS campus. Specialized equipment and facilities include:

• HPLC for electrochemical detection and spectroscopic analysis
• patch clamping
• stop flow analysis for rapid kinetics
• complete molecular biology laboratories
• complete laboratory for image analysis of in-situ hybridization
• microvascular video microscopy
• radioimmunoassay and radioenzymatic analysis for steroids and peptides
• in-vivo microdialysis systems

The department is responsible for teaching the medical physiology, surgical assistant physiology, and numerous other graduate courses in the Biomedical Sciences Ph.D. program.

Physiology Courses

Human Physiology (707/807)

Lecture: 5 hours, Laboratory: 1 hour, 5 credits

Prerequisite: BIOL 726 or CHEM 541. Cell membrane, muscle, cardiovascular, renal, respiratory, gastrointestinal, endocrine, and reproductive aspects of human physiology. Clinical correlations and computer simulations of lab experiments are included in lectures. This is a course in medical physiology emphasizing the understanding of basic principles of physiology to enable the student to develop the ability to continue learning by continued professional education when the course is over. To this end we include clinical correlations, vignettes, and lectures by clinical scholars in each of the seven sections of the course. Details of course organization, learning resources, faculty, examinations, and grading can be found in the course syllabus.

 Course Director: Michael Solhaug, MD This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Medical Physiology for Allied Health Professionals
(PHY 101)

Lecture: 5 hours; 5 credits

This 10-week summer course includes basic coverage of all physiological principles with additional emphasis on pathophysiology of disease, biochemical principles underlying physiology, aspects of immunology, and nutrition. This is recommended for surgical assistants, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, etc. who desire a broad medical physiology background to enable understanding of their future clinical responsibilities.

Course Director: Donald C. Meyer, Ph.D. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Medical Student Selectives

Neuroendocrinology (PHY 401)

Lecture: 1 hour; 1 credit

Human physiology (707/807) is a pre-requisite. This is a survey of the history, practice, and prospects for neuroendocrinology with special emphasis on reproductive neuroendocrinology. The course will consist of introductory lectures on the history of the development of the concept of neuroendocrine systems and emphasis on the current understanding of reproductive mechanisms, and include the writing of a library research paper dealing with a topic of current interest and active investigation. Course will be scheduled in alternate years or at the discretion of the instructor.

Course Director: Donald C. Meyer, Ph.D. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Studies on Hormone Production by the Feto-Placental Unit During Pregnancy (PHY 400)

Lecture: 1 hour; 1 credit

The student will be involved directly (laboratory participation) and/or indirectly (library research) in one of several projects being conducted our laboratories involved in determining the factors regulating steroidogenesis in the maternal/fetal adrenal, the maternal ovary, and the placenta. Physiologic and biochemical techniques are used to study and elucidate the hormonal requirements for implantation, the maintenance of pregnancy, the initiation of parturition, and the development of fetal adrenocortical self-sufficiency in the perinatal period. The student will be expected to participate in a seminar related to these topics.

Course Director: Gerald J. Pepe, Ph.D. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Biomedical Science Courses

BIMD 730/830 Biochemical/Cellular Endocrinology

Hours: Arr. Pepe, Gerald. Lecture: 3 hours; 3 credits

Prerequisites: BIOL 726 or CHEM 541, BIMD 706/806, BIMD 707/807. An in-depth evaluation of the role of protein/steroid receptors in regulation of cell to cell communication. Students will have readings in current scientific literature, present two seminars and write two "manuscripts."

Course Director: Gerald J. Pepe, Ph.D. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

BIMD 750/850 Special Topics-Cellular Endocrinology

Hours: Arr.; Meyer, Donald; Lecture: 1 hour; 1 credit

Prerequisites: BIOL 726 or CHEM 541 and BIMD 707/807 or BIOL 790/890. Current research areas in cellular mechanisms of endocrinology. Lectures, student seminars, and research papers are included.

BIMD 751/851 Neuroendocrinology

Hours: Arr.; Meyer, Donald; Lecture: 1 hour; 1 credit

Prerequisites: BIOL 726 or CHEM 541 and BIMD 707/807 or BIOL 790/890. Human neuroendocrine systems with special emphasis on reproductive neuroendocrinology.

BIMD 771/871 Endocrinology of Pregnancy

Hours Arr.; Pepe, Gerald. Lecture: 3 hours; 3 credits

Prerequisites: BIMD 707/807 or BIOL 790/890, BIOL 726 or CHEM 541, BIOL 716/816. A description of the various animal models used to study pregnancy maintenance, parturition, and fetal development. Relevant features of rabbit, rat, mouse, sheep, cow, pig, baboon, rhesus monkey, and human gestation will be covered.

BIMD 773/873 Responsible Conduct in Science

Hours Arr. Prewitt, Russell. Lecture: 1 hour; 1 credit

This course is a requirement for all students. Series of lectures exposing graduate students to moral and ethical dilemmas in Biomedical Sciences. The course will also expose students to peer-review processes as related to submission of grants and manuscripts.

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