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.
HPHY 211 Medical Terminology
Instructor: Alia Yasen
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.
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.
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.
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Course Number | Course Name | Term Offered |
|---|---|---|
100-level General Education | ||
105 | Principles of Human Nutrition | Fall 2025, Winter 2026 |
111 | The Science of Health | Spring 2026 |
200-level Required of Major | ||
211 | Medical Terminology | Fall 2025, Winter 2026, Spring 2026 |
212 | Scientific Investigation in Physiology | Fall 2025, Winter 2026, Spring 2026 |
300-level Required of Major | ||
HPHY 321 | Human Anatomy I | Fall 2025 |
HPHY 322 | Human Physiology I | Fall 2025 |
HPHY 323 | Human Anatomy II | Winter 2026 |
HPHY 324 | Human Physiology II | Winter 2026 |
HPHY 325 | Human Anatomy/Human Physiology III | Fall 2025, Spring 2026 |
HPHY 371 | Physiology of Exercise | Fall 2025, Spring 2026 |
300-level Electives | ||
HPHY 333 | Motor Control | Fall 2025 |
HPHY 362 | Tissue Injury and Repair | Winter 2026 |
HPHY 375 | Metabolism & Nutrition | Winter 2026 |
HPHY 381 | Biomechanics | Spring 2026 |
400-level Electives | ||
HPHY 411 | Scientific Teaching | Spring 2026 |
HPHY 420/520 | Human Cadaver Dissection | Spring 2026 |
400-level Capstone | ||
HPHY 412/512 | Sleep Physiology | Fall 2025 |
HPHY 413/513 | Muscle Structure, Function, & Plasticity | Winter 2026, Spring 2026 |
HPHY 414/514 | Muscle Metabolism | Fall 2025 |
HPHY 422/522 | Physiology of Obesity | Fall 2025, Winter 2026 |
HPHY 423/523 | Physiology of Aging | Winter 2026 |
HPHY 432/532 | Neural Development | Fall 2025, Spring 2026 |
HPHY 434/534 | Movement Disorders | Winter 2026, Spring 2026 |
HPHY 436/536 | Clinical Neuroscience | Fall 2025, Winter 2026 |
HPHY 470/570 | Environmental Physiology | Spring 2026 |
HPHY 473/573 | High Altitude Physiology and Medicine | Winter 2026 |
HPHY 410/510 | Physiology of Human Performance | Spring 2026 |
HPHY 410/510 | Biomechanics of Sports | Spring 2026 |
HPHY 410/510 | Mission to Mars | Fall 2025 |
400 Level for Neuroscience Major (not open to HPHY majors) | ||
HPHY 410 | Neuroanatomy | Winter 2026 |
Graduate Courses
Course Number | Course Name | Term Offered |
|---|---|---|
Co-convened 400/500-level: | ||
410/510 | Physiology of Human Performance | Spring 2026 |
412/512 | Sleep Physiology | Fall 2025 |
413/513 | Muscle Structure, Function, & Plasticity | Winter 2026, Spring 2026 |
414/514 | Muscle Metabolism | Fall 2025 |
420/520 | Human Cadaver Dissection | Spring 2026 |
422/522 | Physiology of Obesity | Fall 2025, Winter 2026 |
423/523 | Physiology of Aging | Winter 2026 |
432/532 | Neural Development | Fall 2025 |
434/534 | Movement Disorders | Winter 2026, Spring 2026 |
436/536 | Clinical Neuroscience | Fall 2025, Spring 2026 |
470/570 | Environmental Physiology | Spring 2026 |
473/573 | High Altitude & Medicine | Winter 2026 |
Course Number | Course Name | Term Offered |
|---|---|---|
600-level (grad students only): | ||
611 | Professionals Skills I: Effective Teaching | Fall 2025 |
612 | Professional Skills II: Responsible Research | Winter 2026 |
613 | Professional Skills III: Career Development | Spring 2026 |
621 | Systems Physiology I | Fall 2025 |
622 | Systems Physiology II | Winter 2026 |
623 | Systems Physiology III | Spring 2026 |
676 | Human Cardiovascular Control | Winter 2026 |
684 | Kinematics of Human Movement | Fall 2025 |
685 | Kinetics of Human Movement | Winter 2026 |