This section provides a listing and description of courses offered by the department in 2012-2013 .

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Quick Link to Physiology Course Material Online
 

PHGY 209 Fall    MAMMALIAN  PHYSIOLOGY  1 – 3 Credits
 
Prerequisite: Collegial Biology or Anatomy, Chemistry, and Physics
Pre or Co-requisites: BIOL 200, 201 or BIOC 212
other students in the Faculty of Science with permission of course coordinator                      
 
Course Coordinators:
Dr. A. Shrier    
McIntyre Medical Building
Room 1120
Tel: 514-398-2272
alvin.shriermcgill.ca

Dr. A. Wechsler
McIntyre Medical Building
Room 1135
Tel: 514-398-4341
ann.wechslermcgill.ca

Course Description: Physiology body fluids, blood, body defense mechanisms, peripheral, central  and autonomic nervous system.  Not open to students who have taken or are taking NSC 200.

PHGY 210 Winter    MAMMALIAN PHYSIOLOGY 2 – 3 Credits 

Prerequisite: Collegial Biology or Anatomy, Chemistry, and Physics
Pre or Co-requisites: BIOL 200, 201 or BIOC 212
other students in the Faculty of Science with permission of course coordinator

Course Coordinator:
Dr. John White
McIntyre Medical Building 
Room 1112
Tel: 514-398-8498         
john.whitemcgill.ca

Course Description:  Physiology of  cardiovascular, respiratory digestive, endocrine, and renal systems.  Students must be prepared to attend evening (19:00-20:00) class tests.

PHGY 212 Fall     INTRODUCTORY PHYSIOLOGY LAB 1 – 1 Credit
 
Co-requisite: PHGY 209 and PHGY 210 

Course Coordinators:
Dr. J. Martinez Trujillo
McIntyre Medical Building
Room  1223
Tel: 514-398-4320
julio.martinez@mcgill.caMcIntyre Medical Building

Dr. A. Wechsler
McIntyre Medical Building
Room 1135  
Tel: 514-398-4341
ann.wechslermcgill.ca

Course Description: Exercises illustrating fundamental principles in human physiology: blood, neurophysiology
• Quick link to the Virtual Laboratory

PHGY 213 Winter     INTRODUCTORY PHYSIOLOGY LAB 2 – 1 Credit
 
Pre-requisite: PHGY 212
Co-requisite: PHGY-209 and PHGY-210 

Course Coordinator:
Dr. M. Guevara
McIntyre Medical Building
Room 1018
Tel: 514-398-6024
michael.guevara@mcgill.ca



Course Description: Exercises illustrating fundamental principles in human physiology: cardiovascular, respiratory, endocrinology
• Quick link to the Virtual Laboratory

PHGY 311 Fall    CHANNELS, SYNAPSES & HORMONES – 3 Credits 

Prerequisite: PHGY 209                    
Or permission of course coordinator

Course Coordinator:
Dr. E. Cooper
McIntyre Medical Building
Room 1127   
Tel: (514) 398-4334
ellis.coopermcgill.ca

Course Description: In-depth presentation of experimental results and hypotheses on cellular communication in the nervous system and the endocrine system.

PHGY 312 Winter    RESPIRATORY, RENAL & CARDIOVASCULAR PHYSIOLOGY – 3 Credits 

Prerequisite: PHGY 209, PHGY 210, PHGY 311  
 

Course Coordinator:
Dr. J. Hanrahan
McIntyre Medical Building
Room 1013  
Tel: (514) 398-8320
john.hanrahanmcgill.ca

Course Description: In-depth presentation of experimental results and hypothese underlying our current understanding of topics in renal, respiratory and cardiovascular functions explored beyond the introductory level.

3 hours of lectures per week; 1-3 hours optional lab/demonstration/tutorial arranged for a maximum of 3 afternoons per term

PHGY 313 Winter  BLOOD, GASTROINTESTINAL, & IMMUNE SYSTEMS PHYSIOLOGY – 3 Credits 

Prerequisite: PHGY 209, PHGY 210, PHGY 311
Or permission from Course Coordinators
  
Course Coordinator:
Dr. J. Martinez Trujillo
McIntyre Medical Building
Room  1223   
Tel: (514) 398-6024
julio.martinezmcgill.ca

Course Description: In-depth presentation of experimental results and hypotheses underlying our current understanding of the physiology topics in immunology, blood and fluids, and gastrointestinal physiology.

3 hours of lectures per week; 1-3 hours optional lab/demonstration/tutorial arranged for a maximum of 3 afternoons per term

PHGY 314  Fall  INTEGRATIVE  NEUROSCIENCE – 3 Credits 

Prerequisite: PHGY 209
 
Course Coordinator:
Dr. K. Cullen
McIntyre Medical Building
Room 1218   
Tel: (514) 398-5709
kathleen.cullenmcgill.ca

Course Description: In-depth presentation of experimental results and hypotheses underlying our current understanding of how single neurons and ensembles of neurons encode sensory information, generate movement, and control cognitive functions such as emotion, learning, and memory, during voluntary behaviors.br>  

PHGY 351 Winter  RESEARCH  TECHNIQUES  IN  PHYSIOLOGY – 3 Credits 

Prerequisite: PHGY 209, PHGY 210, PHGY 311                                                     
Co-requisite: PHGY 312, PHGY 313

Course Coordinator:
Dr. Gergely Lukacs
McIntyre Medical Building
Room 1005
Tel: (514) 398-5582
gergely.lukacsmcgill.ca

Course Description: The course provides an overview of common research methods in Physiology, including critical analysis and practical experience with some of the methods.  Topics include ethics of animal experimentation, instruments signal analysis, membrane biophysics, radioimmunoassay, ion sensitive dyes, immunocytochemistry, auto radiography, electron microscopy, and molecular biology.

Enrollment restricted to Physiology Honours students.

PHGY 359 D1 & D2 Fall & Winter TUTORIAL  IN  PHYSIOLOGY -  1 Credit each per term

Prerequisite: PHGY 209, PHGY 210                                 
Co-requisite:  PHGY 311, PHGY 312, and PHGY 313

Meeting: individually arranged 

Course Coordinator:
Dr. Gergely Lukacs
McIntyre Medical Building
Room1005
Tel: (514) 398-5582
gergely.lukacsmcgill.ca

Course Description: The course consists of regularly scheduled meetings between each student and a chosen staff member, to consider current problems in biomedical research and to develop background for research project to be carried out in U3.

Enrollment restricted to Physiology Honours students.

PHGY 396 Fall/Winter/Summer UNDERGRADUATE  RESEARCH PROJECT - 3 Credits

Course Coordinator:
Dr. Ursula Stochaj
McIntyre Medical Building
Room 1115
Tel: (514) 398-2949
ursula.stochajmcgill.ca

Enrollment may be limited

Restrictions: This course cannot be taken under the S/U option. Departmental permission required. Students cannot be supervised by the same instructor for two 396 Science courses. Open to students in programs offered by the Faculty of Science only.(Note: Enrolment may be limited. Students are advised to start the application process well before the start of the term and to plan for an alternative course in the case that no suitable project is available. Individual projects will be suggested each term which may have project-specific prerequisites. Some projects may be accessible to students in other disciplines. See http://www.mcgill.ca/science/ours for more information about available projects and application forms and procedures.)

Application Form (Word)

Course Description: Independent research project with a final written report. 

PHGY 419  D1 & D2 Fall & Winter  IMMUNOLOGY RESEARCH PROJECT – 9 Credits

Fall & Winter Term: Individually arranged

Course Coordinator: 
Dr. M. Cohen
McIntyre Medical Building
Room 1136
Tel: (514) 398-4342
monroe.cohen@mcgill.ca

Course Description: Individual research projects in Immunology under the guidance of staff members in the three participating departments:  Physiology, Biochemistry, Microbiology & Immunology.  The students will meet to discuss their research projects in a seminar format during the winter term.  They will be evaluated on their laboratory and seminar performance. 7 hours lab, 2 hours seminar weekly.

Enrollment restricted to U3 Honours Immunology students.

PHGY 425 Fall  ANALYSING PHYSIOLOGICAL SYSTEMS – 3 Credits

Prerequisite: PHGY 311, PHGY 314, BIOL 200

Course Coordinators:
Dr. E. Cook
McIntyre Medical Building
Room 1225
Tel: (514)398-7691
erik.cookmcgill.ca

Dr. M. Chacron
McIntyre Medical Building
Room 1137
Tel: 514-398-7493
maurice.chacron@mcgill.ca

Course Description: An introduction to quantitative analysis of physiological data, both to the mode of thinking and to a set of tools that allows accurate predictions of biological systems.  Examples will range from oscillating genetic networks to understanding higher brain function.  Modelling and data analysis through examples and exercises will be emphasized. 

PHGY 451 Fall  ADVANCED  NEUROPHYSIOLOGY– 3 Credits 

Prerequisite: PHGY 311 or equivalent, BIOL 301
Restriction: Departmental approval required                                     

Course Coordinators:  
Dr. E. Cooper                                  
McIntyre Medical Building        
Room 1127
Tel:  398-4334
ellis.coopermcgill.ca

Dr. M. Cohen
McIntyre Medical Building
Room 1136
Tel: (514) 398-4342
monroe.cohenmcgill.ca

Course Description: Topics of current interest in neurophysiology including the development of neurons and synapses, physiology of ionic transmission and neuronal interactions in CNS function.  Enrollment limited. Permission of Department required.
•  Quick link to online content for this course

PHGY 459 D1 & D2 Fall & Winter  PHYSIOLOGY  SEMINAR – 6 Credits 

Prerequisite: Permission of Instructor
 
Course Coordinators:
Dr. J. Hanrahan
McIntyre Medical Building
Room 1016A
Tel: (514) 398-8320
john.hanrahanmcgill.ca

Dr. A. Shrier
Bellini Building
Room 165
Tel: (514) 398-2272
alvin.shriermcgill.ca

Course Description:  Discussion on topics in mammalian, cellular, and molecular physiology.  Students will be required to write an essay and make at least one oral presentation per term.  A final course essay is required. Required course for U3 Physiology Honours Students.

PHGY 461 D1 & D2 Fall & Winter    EXPERIMENTAL  PHYSIOLOGY - 9 Credits 

Prerequisite:  Permission of Instructor   
 
Seminar: Individually arranged

Course Coordinator:
Dr. A. Wechsler
McIntyre Medical Building
Room 1135
Tel: (514) 398-4341
ann.wechslermcgill.ca

Course Description: Individual project work under the supervision of Departmental staff members.   Open to limited number of students.  Required course for U3 in Physiology Honours Program and the Joint Major Program in Physiology and Physics and Physiology and Math.            

PHGY 502 Winter  EXERCISE  PHYSIOLOGY - 3 Credits 

Prerequisite: PHGY 311, PHGY 312, PHGY 313
 
Course Coordinator:
Dr. A. M. Lauzon
Meakins Christie Lab
Room 323 
Tel: (514) 398-3864 Ext. 00130
anne-marie.lauzonmcgill.ca

Course Description: Behaviour of physiological processes in response to physical effort, in areas such as structural basis of muscle contraction, neural control of muscle, mechanics, and energetics of muscle contraction, fuel utilization, fatigue, physiological adjustments during exercise and influence of training.
 

PHGY 508 Fall    ADVANCED  RENAL PHYSIOLOGY - 3 Credits

Prerequisite: PHGY 312
 
Course Coordinators:  
Dr. A. Cybulsky
Lyman Duff Building
Room 232
Tel:(514) 398-8148
andrey.cybulskymcgill.ca

Dr. J. Hanrahan
McIntyre Medical Building
Room 1016A
Tel:(514) 398-8320
john.hanrahanmcgill.ca

Course Description: Lectures and seminars will cover advanced concepts in selected areas of kidney physiology (glomerular and tubular function) as well as membrane and epithelial transport.  Students will be expected to critically discuss selected experimental papers.  Limited enrollment.  Open to advanced undergraduate and graduate students.

PHGY 513 Winter    CELLULAR  IMMUNOLOGY -  3 Credits 

Prerequisite:  MIMM 314 or permission of instructor

Course Coordinator:
Dr. R. Jones
Cancer Pavilion
Room 705
Tel: (514) 398-3336
russell.jones@mcgill.ca

Course Description: This course deals with cellular interactions, regulation and effector mechanisms of the normal immune response in relation to diseases and pathogenic processes.  It is taught at an advance level. Course schedule

PHGY 515 Fall   PHYSIOLOGY OF BLOOD 1 – 3 Credits 

Prerequisite: PHGY 313 or PHGY 312 or Permission of Instructor  
 
Course Coordinator: 
TBA

Course Description: Study of cell and molecular physiology of hemostasis and its pathophysiology (bleeding and thrombosis).  Emphases on molecular mechanisms regulating clot formation fibrinolysis, and cell adhesion/aggregation.  Experimental approaches and specific clinical disorders will be analyzed.  Weekly discussions, and a major term paper.

NOT OFFERED IN 2012-2013

PHGY 516 Winter  PHYSIOLOGY OF  BLOOD 2 - 3 Credits 

Prerequisite: PHGY 313
 

Course Coordinators:  
Dr. V. Blank
Jewish General Hospital
Family Medicine
Tel: (514) 340-8260 ext. 4508
volker.blank@mcgill.ca

Dr. P. Ponka
Jewish General Hospital
Lady Davis Institute
Tel: (514) 340-8260 ext. 5289
prem.ponkamcgill.ca

Course Description: Bone marrow hematopoiesis on regulation of stem cell proliferation and differentiation along hematopoietic pathways.  Formation and differentiation of red and white blood cells and some of the diseases associated with hemotopoiesis will be covered.  Emphasis will be given to the molecular mechanisms involved in the normal and pathological conditions.
 

PHGY 518 Fall   ARTIFICIAL  CELLS – 3 Credits 

Prerequisite: Permission of instructor
 

Course Coordinators:
Dr. T.M.S. Chang
McIntyre Medical Building
Room 1004
Tel: 398-3512
artcell.medmcgill.ca

Dr. S. Prakash
McIntyre Medical Building
Room 1002
Tel: (514) 398-3514

Course Description: Physiology, biotechnology, chemistry, and biomedical application of artificial cells, blood substitutes, immobilized enzymes, microorganisms and cells, hemoperfusion, artificial kidneys, and drug delivery systems.  PHGY-517 and PHGY-518 when taken together, will give a complete picture of this field.  However, the student can select one of the courses.

PHGY 520     ION CHANNELS – 3 Credits

Prerequisite: PHGY 311 Permission of Instructor
Restriction: Permission of Instructor and Priority to Graduate and Honours students.

Course Coordinator:
Dr. R. Sharif
Bellini Building
Room 171
Tel: (514) 934-5361
reza.sharifmcgill.ca

Course Description:  In this course, students will be exposed to the biophysical principles governing ion channel functioning and how alterations in these functions can be associated with clinical pathologies. The course is divided in two sections. The first section (January-February) will be didactic and provide a comprehensive overview of the voltage-gated, ligand-gated and mechano-gated ion channel families. The second part (March-April) will target specific types of ion channels through student-driven discussions of scientific articles (every Tuesday) and lectures presented by experts in the field (every Thursday). 

PHGY 524     CHRONOBIOLOGY – 3 Credits

Prerequisite: PHGY 209 and PHGY 210 (or NSCI 200 and NSCI 201), and a relevant 300-level course (PHGY 311, or PHGY 314, or PSYC 318, or BIOC 311, or other, with permission of course coordinator).
Restriction: Permission of Instructor.  Course for senior undergraduate (U3) and graduate students

Course Coordinators:
Dr. N. Cermakian
Douglas Mental Health University Institute                                                                                                                                     Perry Building , Room E-2109                                                                                                                                                        Tel: (514) 761-6131 ext. 4936                                                                                                                                                        nicolas.cermakian@mcgill.ca                                                                                                                                                      

Dr. F. Storch     
Douglas Mental Health University Institute                                                                                                                                    Perry Building , Room E-3214                                                                                                                                                        Tel: (514) 761-6131 ext. 6152                                                                                                                                                         florian.storch@mcgill.ca    

Course Description: This course is an introduction to the field of chronobiology. The aim is to provide basic knowledge on different types of biological rhythms, with particular focus on circadian (daily) rhythms.

PHGY 531 Winter   TOPICS IN APPLIED IMMUNOLOGY – 3 Credits
 
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor  
 

Course Coordinator:
Dr. M. Stevenson
Montreal General Hospital, Room L11-409
Tel: (514) 934-1934 Ext.44507
mary.m.stevensonmcgill.ca

Dr. N. Bernard
Montreal General Hospital, Room L3-117
Tel: (514) 934-1934 Ext.44584
nicole.bernardmcgill.ca

Course Description: Seminar format course in which experts in immunologic mechanisms of resistance against a variety of infectious diseases including AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis, oversee student moderators in their presentation of recent scientific literature in the field.
 

PHGY 550  Fall  PHYSIOLOGY  OF  BONE – 3 Credits

Prerequisite: PHGY 311 and BIOL 202
Permission of instructor

 Course Coordinator:   
Dr. S. Komarova
Strathcona Anatomy Building
Tel: (514) 398-4314
svetlana.komarovamcgill.ca

Course Description: Students will develop a working knowledge of cartilage and bone.  Discussion topics will include: molecular and cellular environment of bone; heritable and acquired skeletal defects; research models used to study metabolic bone disease.

Preference given to Physiology graduate students.

PHGY 552  Winter   CELLULAR & MOLECULAR PHYSIOLOGY – 3 Credits 

Prerequisite:  PHGY 311  
Permission of Instructor   

Course Coordinator:
Dr. J. Orlowski
McIntyre Medical Building
Room 1001
Tel: (514) 398-8335
john.orlowskimcgill.ca

Course Description: Discussions of recent significant advances in our understanding of the gene products involved in diverse cellular signaling pathways.  Topics will include cell-surface hormone receptors, nuclear steroid hormone receptors, and ion channels and transporters.  Students will present and critically evaluate experimental approaches, results and interpretations of selected research publications.

Preference will be given to Physiology Honours and graduate students; limited enrollment.

PHGY 556  Winter   TOPICS IN SYSTEMS NEUROSCIENCE – 3 Credits
 
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor 
 

Course Coordinators:
Dr. K. Cullen
McIntyre Medical Building
Room 1218
Tel: (514) 398-5709
kathleen.cullenmcgill.ca
 
Dr. D. Guitton
Montreal Neurological Institute
Tel: (514) 398-1954
dgvittmni.mcgill.ca

Course Description: Topics of current interest in systems neurophysiology and behavioural neuroscience including:  the neural representative of sensory information and motor integration, and the computational analysis of problems in motor control and perception. Students will be expected to present and critically discuss journal articles in class.  Not open to students who have taken PHGY-456; limited enrollment.

PHGY 560  Winter   Light Microscopy Life Sciences  – 3 Credits
 
Prerequisite: BIOL 301 or Permission of instructor
 

Course Coordinators:
Dr. A. Shrier
Bellini Building
Room 135
Tel: (514) 398-2272
alvin.shriermcgill.ca

Course Coordinators:
Dr. C. Brown
Bellini Building
Room 137A
Tel: (514) 398-4400 x00795
claire.brownmcgill.ca

Course Description: Introduction to optics, light microscopy imaging and data analysis for life scientists.