Physiology is the integrative study of molecular, cellular, and organ systems and their homeostatic control mechanisms that function to maintain life.  Thus, physiology represents one of the major foundations of clinical medicine and a firm grasp of the essentials of physiology is a mandatory component in the practice of medicine.

The physiology course at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine is divided into four units containing a total of twelve sections.  Unit I is focused on cellular and muscle physiology, Unit II on cardiac physiology, circulatory physiology, and the physiology of hemostasis, Unit III on renal, respiration, acid-base, and temperature regulation, and Unit IV on gastrointestinal, endocrine, and reproductive physiology (neurophysiology is taught in the Brain and Behavior courses).

The course is composed of lectures, small group sessions that focus on problem solving exercises, translational clinical correlations and review presentations. Finally, a detailed syllabus and CD-ROM, structured to cover the primary facts and concepts central to physiology are available through the Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology.

Medical Physiology is taught during the fall and winter quarters.  Many components of the course are integrated with information from Gross Anatomy, Microscopic Anatomy, Biochemistry, and Clinical Foundations of Medical Practice I.

Medical Physiology is taken by all Year I medical students. MD/PhD students, master’s students in the Physiology Masters Program, as well as a number of Ph.D. students in degree programs of several basic science disciplines, are matriculated in the graduate component of the course; permission of the course director is required.