Courses

The Human Physiology department values engaging, inclusive, and evidence-based teaching. Human physiology department faculty have received four distinguished teaching awards. Course design and classroom activities are grounded in the scholarship of teaching and learning. Larger classes use several strategies to make the big class feel small, and to help students engage with each other and the teaching team.


The University of Oregon course catalog offers degree plans and a complete list of undergraduate and graduate courses in the Department of Human Physiology.


Course Highlights

These three courses span across lower and upper division coursework.

Medical Terminology

HPHY 211 Medical Terminology
Instructor: Robin Hopkins

Explore and develop skills in language and terminology specific to the medical sciences with an emphasis on derivation, meaning, and pronunciation. This course is designed to give students a solid, basic overview of terminology used in the medical, health, and biological sciences fields.

Human Anatomy

HPHY 321 Human Anatomy I
Instructor: Jon Runyeon

Introduction to the human body and histology; nerves; central, autonomic, and peripheral nervous systems; cranial nerves; regional anatomy of the head; special senses. Includes cadaver laboratory. This course will use both a system and regional approach to uncover the anatomy of the skull, brain, spinal cord, cranial nerves, facial muscles, auditory and visual systems, vertebral column, thoracic skeleton, and muscles of the trunk.

doctor holding elderly patient's hand

HPHY 423 Physiology of Aging
Instructor: Ashley Walker

Advancing age is a major factor for a number of diseases and disorders, such as cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis, and Alzheimer’s disease. In this course, we will discuss the changes that occur in old age to cells and organs with the goal of furthering our understanding of the causes of age-related disease and dysfunction. We will also explore interventions aimed at increasing longevity and treating age-related diseases.


Upcoming Courses

The table below lists the courses that the Department of Human Physiology anticipates offering over the next two years. The table is updated as curriculum decisions are made, so check back when considering future registration choices.

Course Number Course Name Term Offered
100-level General Education
105 Principles of Human Nutrition Spring 2022 (tentative), Summer 2022
111 The Science of Sex Summer 2022
200-level Required of Major
211 Medical Terminology Winter 2022, Spring 2022, Summer 2022
212 Evidence, Inference, & Biostatistics Winter 2022, Spring 2022, Summer 2022
300-level Required of Major
HPHY 321 Human Anatomy I Summer 2022
HPHY 322 Human Physiology I Summer 2022
HPHY 323 Human Anatomy II Winter 2022, Summer 2022
HPHY 324 Human Physiology II Winter 2022, Summer 2022
HPHY 325 Human Anatomy/Human Physiology III Spring 2022
HPHY 371 Physiology of Exercise Spring 2022
300-level Electives
HPHY 333 Motor Control none
HPHY 362 Tissue Injury and Repair none
HPHY 374 Clinical ECG & Exercise Spring 2022
HPHY 375 Metabolism & Nutrition Winter 2022
HPHY 381 Biomechanics Winter 2022
400-level Electives
HPHY 411 Scientific Teaching none
HPHY 420 Human Anatomy Dissection Spring 2022
400-level Capstone
HPHY 412 Sleep Physiology none
HPHY 413 Muscle Structure, Function, & Plasticity Winter 2022
HPHY 414 Muscle Metabolism none
HPHY 422 Physiology of Obesity Spring 2022
HPHY 423 Physiology of Aging Winter 2022
HPHY 432 Neural Development none
HPHY 433 Neurophysiology of Concussion Spring 2022
HPHY 434 Movement Disorders Winter 2022
HPHY 436 Clinical Neuroscience Spring 2022
HPHY 444 Clinical Anatomy none
HPHY 462 Therapeutic Techniques Spring 2022
HPHY 470 Environmental Physiology none
HPHY 473 High Altitude Physiology and Medicine none