Graduate Faculty
Special Departmental Requirements
Master of Science Degree
Doctor of Philosophy Degree
Courses

School of Medicine
Indianapolis

Chairperson
Professor Rodney Rhoades

Departmental e-mail:
mbrown3@iupui.edu

Departmental URL:
http://www.iupui.edu/~medphys/

Graduate Faculty

Professors
Glenn Bohlen, Loren Field (Medicine, Pediatrics), Janice Froehlich (Medicine), Susan Gunst, Chiu Shuen Hui, Gary Hutchins (Radiology), Stephen Kempson, Richard Meiss (Obstetrics), Marshall Montrose, Sidney Ochs (Emeritus), Ora Pescovitz (Pediatrics), Rodney Rhoades, W. Eugene Roberts (Dentistry), Carl Rothe, George Tanner, Wiltz Wagner (Anesthesia)

Associate Professors
Robert Bigsby (Obstetrics), Patricia Gallagher, Lawrence Garetto (Dentistry), Alon Harris* (Ophthalmology), Edward Mannix* (Medicine), Alonso Moreno (Medicine), Carolyn Patterson* (Medicine), Fredrick Pavalko, Daniel Peavy, Joseph Unthank (Medicine)

Assistant Professors
Robert Considine* (Medicine), Randall Duncan (Orthopedic Surgery), Richard Friedman* (Neurosurgery), B. Paul Herring,* Najia Jin,* James Marrs* (Medicine), C. Subah Packer

Adjunct Associate Professor
Denis K. English* (Radiological Sciences)

Adjunct Assistant Professor
Bonnie Blazer-Yost (Anatomy, Biology)

Director of Graduate Studies
Associate Professor Fredrick Pavalko, Medical Science Building 377, (317) 274-3140, fpavalko@iupui.edu

Graduate Advisor
Associate Professor Daniel E. Peavy, Medical Science Building 309A, (317) 274-8256

Degrees Offered
Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy

Graduate training in the department reflects the modern view of physiology as an integrative science, utilizing information obtained from several different levels to gain a better understanding of organ system functions. State-of-the-art techniques are used to study physiological responses at the molecular, cellular, and whole-organ levels. The specific research interests of most of the faculty can be grouped under four principal themes: cardiovascular physiology, cell growth and development, respiratory biology, and signal transduction mechanisms.

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Special Departmental Requirements

(See also general University Graduate School requirements.)

Admission Requirements
Background in biology (general courses), chemistry (general, quantitative, organic, and physical), physics, and mathematics (through differential and integral calculus). Some deficiencies may be removed during the first year of graduate study. Graduate Record Examination scores on both the General Test and a Subject Test are required as a part of the application.

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Master of Science Degree

Course Requirements
A total of 36 credit hours, including F613, F705, and G706 or J611. Biochemistry (B800 or B810) required.

Thesis
Optional.

Final Examination
Written or oral or both.

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Doctor of Philosophy Degree

Course Requirements
A total of 90 credit hours, including 40 credit hours of formal course work with a minimum of 20 credit hours in physiology and biophysics. Required courses include F613, 3 credits of F702, F705, G706 or J611 and J612, and Biochemistry B800 or B810.

Minor
A minimum of 12 credit hours in courses (other than research) in a related field (e.g., anatomy, biochemistry, biophysics, pharmacology). For a minor in either cell and molecular biology, life science, or physical sciences, a minimum of 14 credit hours is required, of which at least 8 credit hours must be obtained in one department.

Qualifying Examination
Written and oral.

Final Examination
Oral defense of dissertation.

Other Provision
Participation in departmental teaching required.

Ph.D. Minor in Physiology
Students outside the department desiring to obtain a doctoral minor in physiology must complete a minimum of 12 credit hours in physiology courses other than research and F609.

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Courses

A610 Research in Biophysics (1-15 cr.)
A612 Special Problems in Biophysics (1-15 cr.)
A620 Molecular Structure (3 cr.) P: one year each of physical chemistry and calculus; R: BIOC B848. A study of molecular structure and the methods for determining structure with application to biological solutions and membranes.
F503 Human Physiology (4 cr.) P: Introductory biology (K101, K103), and organic chemistry (C341, C342), and physics (P201, P202); or equivalent. Advanced course in human physiology designed for students with no prior exposure to the discipline. Emphasis on basic physiological mechanisms of control with regard to membrane, neural, endocrine, reproductive, muscle, cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, renal, and multisystems physiology.
F592 Biophysics: Radioisotope Methodology (3 cr.) P: F613, F614. Introductory atomic and nuclear physics; methods of manipulation and assay of radioactive materials; tracer theory, experimental design, data handling in various areas of physiology.
F595 Advanced Physiology (cr. arr.) Special techniques in advanced areas of physiology.
F596 Physicochemical Basis of Physiology (3 cr.) P: consent of instructor. Review of selected physicochemical principles, e.g., modern thermodynamics, electrochemistry, solution theory, water structure, and molecular interactions, with special emphasis on their application to physiological problems.
F609 Mammalian Physiology (5 cr.) For students minoring in the life sciences and School of Dentistry students. One-semester lecture course covering the various physiological areas listed under F613, but in less detail.
F613 Mammalian Physiology Lecture (5 cr.) Neurophysiology, physiology of muscular activity, respiration, circulation, gastrointestinal physiology, excretion, metabolism, and endocrinology. Emphasis on basic physiological mechanisms and control systems. See F614.
F614 Mammalian Physiology Laboratory (3 cr.) Taught in conjunction with F613.
F650 Membrane Biophysics (3 cr.) Structure and function of special membranes; mitochondria, RBC, nerve, and muscle.
F670 Excitation and Transmission in Neural Systems (2 cr.) A study of the biophysical aspects of neural systems; excitation, conduction, and transmission properties.
F701 Research in Physiology (cr. arr.)*
F702 Seminar in Physiology (1 cr.) Literature reports and group discussion by students and staff.
F703 Biomedical Instrumentation (5 cr.) P: F613 and F614; or consent of instructor. Laboratory course on physical techniques used in physiological research. Theory of measurements and sources of error. Transducers, instrument systems, and data acquisition.
F704 Simulation of Physiological Systems (3 cr.) P: F613 or consent of instructor. Mathematical models of physiological systems; equations solved with digital computers. Compartmental transfer; membrane transport; cardiovascular, endocrine, or respiratory dynamics will be considered.
F705 Molecular and Cellular Physiology (4 cr.) Emphasis is on the principles of cellular structure and function that underlie the physiological functions of many organ systems. Three fundamental topics will be discussed: cell structure, the organization of the cells to form tissues, and cell physiology. Modern techniques in cellular physiology will be covered through critical analysis of the primary research literature.
F707 Physiology of Exercise (3 cr.) P: B800 or B810, F613, F614, or consent of course director. Survey of musculoskeletal, cardiopulmonary, endocrine, and fluid and electrolyte responses to exercise, including effects of aging, hostile environments (altitude, undersea, extremes of ambient temperature), and training. Format: lectures, discussions, and a limited number of demonstrations in human performance laboratories.
F710 Physiology of Membranes (2 cr.) P: consent of instructor. Structure and function of cell membranes. Kinetics and energetics of membrane transport. Regulation of intracellular ionic concentrations. Hormonal and pathophysiological modification of membrane function.
F712 Physiology of the Circulatory System (2 cr.) In-depth survey of cardiac performance, peripheral vascular function, and control characteristics.
F724 Physiology of the Nervous System (3 cr.) Physiological mechanisms of excitation and conduction of the nerve impulse, axoplasmic transport and nerve maintenance, synaptic transmission and trophic control, vision, somatic sensation, reflexes, hearing, olfaction, taste, locomotion, autonomic regulation, sleep, speech and language, learning and memory. Course will focus on discussion of classic and contemporary research papers.
F725 Muscle Macromolecules and Contraction (2 cr.) Structure and function of various macromolecules involved in muscle contraction. The aspects covered include excitation-contraction coupling, regulation of myoplasmic free calcium level, the contractile machinery, and force generation. Comparison in skeletal, cardiac, and smooth muscles. Lectures and guided discussion of papers.
F734 Blood Gases and Respiration (2 cr.) P: F613, F614. Pulmonary mechanics and gas exchange, gaseous transport and uptake by tissue, acid-base balance, central and reflex control of respiration, respiratory problems in altitude and deep sea physiology, modern techniques in respiratory physiology.
F752 Physiology of the Gastrointestinal System (2 cr.) P: F613, F614. Motility of the digestive tract; secretory mechanisms of the digestive glands; digestion and absorption of the major foods.
F765 Physiology of the Endocrine System (2 cr.) P: F613, F614. Regulation of secretions of the endocrine glands, including neuroendocrine system, action of the hormones; roles of hormones in maintenance of a constant internal environment; physiology of reproduction.
F772 Physiology of the Kidney: Body Fluids and Electrolytes (2 cr.) P: F613, F614. Composition and distribution of body fluids and electrolytes. Renal regulatory role; factors concerned with glomerular filtration rate and blood flow. Tubular function, handling of organic and inorganic substances; chemistry and physics of transfer mechanisms. Role of hormones.
F780 Special Topics in Physiology (cr. arr.) Tutorial instruction in physiology.
J611 Introduction to Biophysics I (3 cr.) P: consent of instructor. An introductory course including principles of mechanics, fluid statics and dynamics, introductory classical thermodynamics and diffusion, electricity, feedback and control as related to biologically significant systems.
J612 Introduction to Biophysics II (3 cr.) P: J611 or equivalent. The statistical basis of physical principles governing molecular processes including diffusion and transport across membranes; thermodynamics; probability and the relationship of information theory, statistical mechanics, quantum mechanics, Boltzmann and Poisson distributions; and flow of movements and mass. Applications to current biophysical research are presented.
GRAD G706 Cell-Cell Communication (3 cr.) P: Consent of instructor. This course provides a basic understanding of chemical mechanisms of cellular communication, including the functional, biochemical, and molecular mechanisms of the communication processes involved. Modern techniques of signal transduction physiology will be covered through critical analysis of primary research literature.
GRAD G760 Epithelial Cell Biology (3 cr.) P: graduate mammalian physiology/biology or consent of instructor. An integrated approach to epithelial structure and function and the role of subcellular organization in organ physiology and pathophysiology.
GRAD G817 Eukaryotic Cell Biology (2 cr.) P: one semester of biochemistry. Organization and function of subcellular structures. Intracellular coordination of cell activity: protein and RNA trafficking, chromatin dynamics, and intracellular processing of receptor-mediated signals.
GRAD G818 Integrative Cell Biology (3 cr.) This course provides broad understanding of ways in which cells are organized and integrated into tissues. Emphasis is on the function of cells in neural/neuroendoctrine system, cardiopulmonary, renal, and immune systems and in cytomechanics. Modern approaches to the study of tissue function by analysis of cellular regulation will be emphasized.
GRAD G865 Fundamental Molecular Biology (3 cr.) P: BIOC B800 or equivalent. Principles of molecular structure, function and biosynthesis; core information regarding procaryotic and eukaryotic gene continuity and metabolic coordination; introduction to multicellular systems and problems. (Joint program: biochemistry, medical genetics, microbiology.)
GRAD G890 Methods in Molecular Biology and Pathology (3 cr.) P: G865 and/or J838, and consent of instructor. Basic principles and techniques in molecular biology and pathology. Particular emphasis will be on molecular techniques that can be used to study problems related to biochemistry and pathology.
GRAD G910 Advanced Molecular Biology Methods (1-3 cr.) P: G865 and/or G890 and permission of instructor. Advanced theory and techniques in molecular biology. The focus of the course will be on techniques related to manipulation of cloned DNA to study their expression, structure, and function.

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