PHYSIOLOGY &
PHARMACOLOGY
OVERVIEW
The Department of Physiology and Pharmacology is the largest basic science Department in the Schulich School of
Medicine & Dentistry. We are devoted to the educational mission of our institution and contribute to teaching our
disciplines of physiology and pharmacology to students from a variety of faculties. In addition to teaching in the BMSc &
BSc programs, we also teach students in Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing, Kinesiology and Foods and Nutrition. We offer 31
courses, taught by a total of 48 faculty members, to approximately 4,800 students each year.
2021-2022 ACADEMIC YEAR STATS
Undergraduate 66 Graduate Students
76
Undergraduate
Students 395 Alumni over the
(4th Year Honours past 5 years
Faculty Members
Specialization) 76
CURRENT FACULTY RESEARCH
“Is inflammation damaging or helpful in osteoarthritis (OA)? OA is the most common joint disease worldwide.
The Appleton Lab aims to discover and develop treatments for OA that can be used in early OA to prevent
progression. Inflammation has recently been shown to predict OA progression. Therefore, we are studying
inflammatory mechanisms in OA to discover treatment targets.” - Dr. Tom Appleton
“My lab is looking at the long-term impacts of medication on animal physiology, with a focus on growth and
stress physiology. We explore questions at the level of the gene, protein, tissue, organ and individual, to
better understand the mode of action of common prescription medications. In addition, we are exploring
these questions across multiple generations, to identify population-level effects” - Dr. Oana Birceanu
“Tumor cell metastasis is the leading cause of cancer-related death and cell migration is an integral aspect of
this process. My laboratory investigates the mechanisms that non-small cell lung (NSCLC) tumor cells use to
migrate and the cellular mechanisms that can be targeted to inhibit migration.” - Dr. John Di Guglielmo
“The main focus my laboratory is to elucidate the molecular mechanism underlying cannabis-induced fetal
growth restriction and long-term dysmetabolism. While emerging epidemiological evidence suggests that the
risks of adult onset diseases are inversely related to birth weight, very little is known about how cannabis
used in pregnancy leads to placental insufficiency and fetal growth restriction.” - Dr. Dan Hardy
“Interindividual differences in the expression of drug metabolizing enzymes and drug transporters in the liver
are a major determinant of variable responses to medications. Understanding the basic molecular
mechanisms that cause variation in drug efficacy or toxicity among patients may provide insights to ways to
better tailor therapy.” - Dr. Rommel Tirona
https://www.schulich.uwo.ca/physpharm
PHYSIOLOGY & PHARMACOLOGY
STUDENT TESTIMONIAL
"The Physiology and Pharmacology module provides the opportunity to explore the human body in a
broad sense in third year, and focus on your interests in fourth year due to the variety of fourth year
courses. One of my favourite aspects of the department is that the faculty are approachable,
engaging and truly want each student to succeed. The physiology and pharmacology module will
provide you active learning opportunities, a diverse skill set and a wonderful community of students
and faculty members to prepare you for your future."
– Current 4th Year Student
YOND PHYSPHARM
BE
WHAT DO OUR STUDENTS PURSUE POST-GRAD? WHO HIRES OUR GRADUATES?
Medicine/
Dentistry 45%
Year Five 5% GSK ~ Medical Science
Liaison/Medical Affairs
Other Professional Cardiac Care Network
School 10%
~ Project Coordinator
Work 10%
Graduate Klick Health ~ Medical Editor
Degree 30%
COURSE SPOTLIGHT: PHYSPHARM 2000
Course Description: Physiology & Pharmacology 2000 is a core course in Human Physiology and Pharmacology. Students will study the
physiological processes and pharmacological treatments of nerve, muscle, central nervous system, renal, cardiovascular, respiratory,
endocrine, reproductive, and gastrointestinal control systems as they function in living humans, under healthy and diseased conditions.
*Includes active learning sessions and group activities to integrate concepts
COURSE SPOTLIGHT: PHYSPHARM 3000E
** Prerequisite for Physiology & Phrmacology Honour Specializations**
Course Description: This course is targeted at learning the scientific method along with data analysis, which is applied in both disciplines of
physiology and pharmacology. Therefore, the laboratory exercises are a fundamental part of the study of physiology and/or pharmacology.
Prerequisite/Corequisite: Physiology 3120 or Pharmacology 3620
Click HERE to see the full list of Physiology & Pharmacology courses
2022 Academic Calendar PhysPharm Website Course Information
