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

Scientific Investigation in Physiology

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