Physiology and Neurobiology (PNB)

Head of Department: Professor Larry Renfro
Department Office: Room 67, Torrey Life Science Building

For major requirements, see the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences section of this Catalog.

2250. Animal Physiology

(250) First semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: BIOL 1107 and either 1108 or 1110. Crivello, Renfro

Physiological mechanisms and regulation in vertebrate animals.

2264-2265. Human Physiology and Anatomy

(264-265) Both semesters. Four credits each semester. Three class periods and one 3-hour laboratory. Prerequisite: BIOL 1107, and one of CHEM 1122  or 1124Q or 1127Q. Not open to students who have passed PNB 2274-2275. These courses must be taken in sequence to obtain credit, and may not be counted toward the Biological Sciences or Physiology and Neurobiology majors.

Fundamentals of human anatomy and physiology for students in medical technology, physical therapy, nursing, and education (Sport Science). A fee of $20 is charged for each course.

2274-2275. Enhanced Human Physiology and Anatomy

(274-275) Both semesters. Four credits each semester. Three class periods and one 3-hour laboratory. Prerequisite: BIOL 1107, CHEM 1124Q or 1127Q. Not open to students who have passed PNB 2264-2265. Must be taken in sequence to obtain credit. Chapple, Moiseff, Nishiyama, Rubio

Fundamentals of human physiology and anatomy enhanced through  inquiry-based laboratories. A fee of $20 is charged for each course.

3180.   Field Study in Physiology and Neurobiology

Either semester. Variable (1 to 4) credits. Hours by arrangement. Open with consent of department head. May be repeated for a total of up to 6 credits. One credit may be earned for each 42 hours of pre-approved activities up to a maximum of 4 credits. May be applied towards the major with permission of department head subject to the PNB major’s 3-credit research group limitation. Students taking this course will be assigned a final grade of S (satisfactory) or U (unsatisfactory).

Supervised field work at an off-campus research organization or business. Activities that meet objectives consistent with a major in Physiology and Neurobiology must be planned and agreed upon in advance by the job site supervisor, the faculty coordinator and the student.               

3225. Biological Rhythms               

(225) Second semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: One 2000-level course in PNB or instructor consent; open to juniors or higher.

Neuroendocrine and environmental factors in the control of biological rhythmicity, especially circadian and annual rhythms. Emphasis on animals.

3230. Hormones and Behavior

(230) First semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: One 2000-level course in PNB or instructor consent; open to juniors or higher.

Hormones and regulation of behaviors: reproductive, parental, social, and aggressive behaviors, as well as migration, hibernation, learning and memory.

3235. Fish Physiology and Endocrinology

(235) Second semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: One 2000-level course in PNB or instructor consent; open to juniors or higher. Chapple, Chen, Crivello, Renfro

Mechanisms and regulation of basic physiological processes in fish. Mainly teleost fishes of commercial value; also invertebrate physiological processes important to aquaculture.

3251. Biology of the Brain

(251) Second semester. Three credits. Two class periods. Prerequisites: One 2000-level course in PNB or instructor consent; open to juniors or higher. LoTurco

Brain functions, from molecular and cellular to overall central nervous system organization. Topics of current scientific interest.

3252. Physiological Model Systems

(252) Second semester, alternate years. Three credits. Prerequisite: PNB 2250, 2274-2275, or instructor consent; open to juniors or higher. Recommended preparation: undergraduate class in basic comparative animal physiology. Crivello, Renfro

Advanced, in-depth examination of animal comparative physiology.

3260.   Stem Cell Biology

Second semester, alternate years, odd. Three credits. Prerequisite: PNB 2250 or 2274. Recommended preparation: MCB 2000 or 2210 or 2410 (which may be taken concurrently); or consent of instructor. Conover

Principles of stem cell biology and the use and applications of stem cells in research and therapy. Emphasis on molecular, cellular and physiological properties of stem cells, mechanisms of differentiation, use of recombinant DNA technology and application of stem cells in disease models.

3262. Mammalian Endocrinology

(262) Second semester. Two credits. Two class periods. Prerequisite: One 2000-level course in PNB or instructor consent; open to juniors or higher. Gallo

Functions of hormones in mammalian physiology emphasizing humans.

3263WQ. Investigations in Neurobiology

(263WQ) First semester. Three credits. One 1-hour discussion, one 4-hour laboratory period. Prerequisite: PNB 2250 or PNB 2274-2275; ENGL 1010 or 1011 or 3800; open to juniors or higher. Moiseff

Experimental investigations in neurobiology. Emphasis on designing and carrying out independent research projects, and on communicating the results. A fee of $20 is charged for this course.

3276. Molecular Neuroanatomy

(280) First semester, alternate years. Three credits. Prerequisite: One 2000-level course in PNB or instructor consent; open to juniors or higher. Recommended preparation: MCB 2000 or 3010. Rubino, Walikonis

Introduction to molecular neurobiology and the anatomy of the brain, and integration of the molecular systems with anatomical structure and function.

3277. Molecular Physiology of the Heart

(281) First semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: PNB 2274-2275 and MCB 2000 or 3010; open to juniors or higher. Recommended preparation: MCB 2210. Proenza

Introduction to the molecular basis of cardiac physiology. Electrical excitation and conduction, excitation-contraction coupling, contractile proteins, regulation, pathophysiology. Focus on modern molecular methods and topics of current scientific investigation.

3278.   Patient and the Healer

(278) First semester. Two credits. Two class periods. Consent of instructor required.

Introductory grounding and experience for students interested in the healing professions in how patients and families experience illness, and what it’s like to be a professional health provider.

3279.   Insights into Dental Science and Clinical Medicine

(279) Second semester. One credit. Weekly 2-hour lecture for ten weeks.

Presentations by Medical and Dental School faculty on basic sciences supporting dental and medical clinical practices.  Students taking this course will be assigned a final grade of S (satisfactory) or U (unsatisfactory).    

3293. Foreign Study

(293) Either or both semesters. Credits and hours by arrangement. Prerequisite: Open to juniors or higher. May be repeated for credit. Consent of Department Head or Key Advisor required, normally to be granted prior to the student’s departure. May count toward the major with consent of Department Head or Key Advisor.

Special topics taken in a foreign study program.

3294. Undergraduate Seminar

(297) Either or both semesters. Credits and hours by arrangement. Prerequisite: Open to juniors or higher. May be repeated for credit with a change in topic.

3295. Special Topics

(298) Either semester. Credits and hours by arrangement. Prerequisites and recommended preparation vary; open to juniors or higher. With a change in content, may be repeated for credit.

3298. Variable Topics

(295) Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: Open to juniors or higher. With a change in topic, may be repeated for credit. Prerequisites and recommended preparation vary.

3299. Independent Study

(299) Either or both semesters. Credits and hours by arrangement. Open only with consent of instructor and the department honors committee. May be repeated for credit with change in topic. 

Designed for the advanced undergraduate student who desires to pursue a special problem as an introduction to independent investigation.

4162.   Neuroethology

First semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: PNB 2274 or consent of instructor. Recommended preparation: PNB 3251. Chapple

Neural mechanisms of stereotyped behavior in vertebrates and invertebrates, emphasizing model systems. Shaping of these systems by environmental requirements and the evolutionary histories of the animals.

4296W. Senior Research Thesis in Physiology and Neurobiology

(292W) Either semester. Three credits. Hours by arrangement. Prerequisite: Three credits of PNB 3299, which may be taken concurrently; ENGL 1010 or 1011 or 3800; open to juniors or higher. Open only with consent of instructor and departmental honors committee. Not limited to honors students. Special research or independent investigation for advanced undergraduates. Involves research and writing a thesis.

4400.   Biology of Nervous System Diseases

First semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: Either PNB 2274 or 3251; one course from MCB 2000, 2210,  2410, or 3010; or instructor consent. Nishiyama, Walikonis

Basic principles of genetics, molecular and cell biology, and physiology as applied to the mechanisms of disease and repair processes in the nervous system. Topics include established concepts and areas of current research on chronic neurodegenerative, synaptic, and demyelinating disorders, acute trauma and cerebrovascular disorders, and plasticity and repair.