Meeting Time: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday | 2:00–3:00 PM (36L/5T)
Course Delivery: Blended Learning (Online & In-Person in Con Hall)
Course Description
How does pregnancy prevent another ovulation from occurring? Why do you pull your hand away from a hot stove before you even realize it hurts? Why does your heart race when you’re nervous? How does your brain transform light, sound, and touch into the rich sensory experiences that shape your perception of the world?
Throughout the course, you’ll move beyond memorizing facts to develop a mechanistic understanding of physiological processes, predict how the body responds to changing conditions, and apply physiological principles to solve clinically relevant problems.
Course Topics
Endocrine Physiology
Reproductive Physiology
Foundations of Neurophysiology
Somatic and Autonomic Nervous Systems
Sensory Physiology and Learning
Skeletal Muscle Physiology
Physiological Integration and Homeostasis
Learning Experience
PSL300 is delivered through a blended learning model that combines the flexibility of online learning with the engagement of interactive in-person sessions.
Approximately 3 hours/week of asynchronous Online Foundational Learning
1-hour weekly In-Person Applied Learning (Physiology in Practice) with course faculty these interactive classes build upon the online lectures through concept integration, physiological reasoning, clinical examples, and exam-style problem solving.
5 total hours for tutorials.
Assessment & Scheduling
Students will complete two 50-minute in-person term tests, typically scheduled Fridays from 2:00–3:00 PM, although tests may also be held on Mondays or Wednesdays during the scheduled course time. The cumulative final examination will be held in person during the University of Toronto’s official Final Assessment Period, as scheduled by the Faculty of Arts & Science.
Because the weekly In-Person Applied Learning (Physiology in Practice) sessions and course assessments are scheduled during the course meeting time, students should not enroll in other courses, laboratories, work commitments, or extracurricular activities that conflict with Mondays, Wednesdays, or Fridays from 2:00–3:00 PM. Scheduling conflicts cannot be accommodated.
Assessment weights and important course policies will be provided in the course syllabus.
Recommended Preparations:
BIO130H1/BIO150Y1
CHM135H1/CHM136H1/CHM138H1/CHM139H1/CHM151Y1
One full-course equivalent from the MAT100-series and/or PHY100-series
Exclusions: PSL200Y1, PSL201Y1, PSL302Y1
Recommended Textbook:
Silverthorn DU. Human Physiology: An Integrated Approach.
Earlier editions are acceptable.
Additional physiology references may be recommended throughout the course.
