Undergraduate Courses

What courses should I take?

• Discover the Department of Physiology's wide range of courses by browsing the course descriptions below. Feel free to reach out to the course's instructor with any questions you may have.

• Interested in physiology but not pursuing a whole program? PSL201Y1 provides an introduction to human physiology for students exploring the field. Students intending to pursue advanced physiology coursework should instead complete PSL300H1 and PSL301H1.

• First year students interested in the Specialist in Physiology program should take the following in addition to their physiology courses (read the full program requirements): 

  • BIO 120H1 - Adaptation and Biodiversity

  • BIO130H1 - Molecular and Cell Biology

  • CHM138H - Introductory Organic Chemistry 1

  • CHM 139H1 - Chemistry: Physical Principles

  • An introductory calculus course

  • An introductory physics course

• While it’s possible to master elementary physiology without any life science background, taking courses in chemistry, physics, math, etc. alongside one’s entire physiology program is highly recommended.

• If you might pursue graduate studies in physiology, taking both PSL300H and PSL301H is strongly recommended for our research-stream MSc & PhD programs and required for the MHSc in Medical Physiology.

Undergraduate Course Descriptions

PSL Course Descriptions.pdf

PSL190H1S - Biomedical Research at the Cutting Edge- ***Not Offered 2026-2027***
PSL201Y1Y - Basic Human Physiology
PSL280H1F - Introduction to Physiologic Adaptations of Marine Mammals
PSL299Y1Y - Research Opportunity Program
PSL300H1F - Human Physiology I
PSL301H1S - Human Physiology II
PSL304H1F - Topics in Cellular, Molecular and Organismic Physiology I
PSL305H1S - Topics in Cellular, Molecular and Organismic Physiology II
PSL310H1S - Clinical Reasoning - ***Not Offered 2026-2027***
PSL350H1S - Mammalian Molecular Biology
PSL372H1F - Mammalian Physiology Laboratory
PSL374H1S - Advanced Physiology Laboratory
PSL378H1S - Field Physiology: Marine Mammal Autopsy
PSL379H1F - Comparative Marine Mammal in the Field (Virtual)
PSL399Y1Y - Research Opportunity Program
PSL404H1F - Regenerative Medicine
PSL420H1F - Reproduction I: Development and Function
PSL421H1S - Reproduction II: Pregnancy and Birth
PSL424H1S - Cellular and Molecular Basis of Endocrine Disorders ***Not Offered 2026-2027**
PSL425H1F - Integrative Metabolism and its Endocrine Regulation
PSL432H1S - Theoretical Physiology ***Not Offered 2026-2027***
PSL441H1F - Systems Neuroscience I: Neuroanatomy, Neurophysiology and Higher Cognition
PSL442H1S - Systems Neuroscience II: Sensory and Motor
PSL445H1F - Neuroscience: Cellular and Molecular (previously PSL444Y1Y)
PSL446H1S - Neural Disorders (previously PSL444Y1Y)
PSL450H1F - Mechanisms of Neural and Endocrinal Secretion
PSL452H1F - Membrane Physiology
PSL462H1S - Molecular Aspects of Cardiovascular Function
PSL470H1S - Cardiovascular Physiology
PSL472H1S - Sleep Physiology and Chronobiology ***Not Offered 2026-2027***
PSL480H1F - Diving Physiology and Marine Mammals ***Not Offered 2026-2027***
PSL496Y1Y - Translational Physiology Research Project ***Not Offered 2026-2027***
PSL497H1F - Translational Physiology Research Project ***Not Offered 2026-2027***
PSL498Y1Y - Project in Physiology
PSL499H1F/S - Project in Physiology

Courses available in the summer

PSL300H1F - Human Physio I
Start date:May 4, 2026
End date: June 15, 2026
Classes: Tuesdays and Thursdays 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Final Exam period: June 18-24, 2026
Course Director: Dr. Kee

PSL301H1S - Human Physio II
Start date: July 2, 2026
End date: August 12, 2026
Classes: Tuesdays and Thursdays 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Final Exam period:  August 15-22, 2026
Course Director: Dr. French

PSL378H1S - Field Physiology: Marine Mammal Autopsy
Date: July 19--July 31, 2026
Course Director: Dr. C. Wittnich
Marine Mammal Autopsy application form 2026_5.pdf

PSL379H1F - Field Physiology - Comparative Applied Field Marine Mammal Physiology Course
Virtual Field Marine Mammal_ application_form_2026_5_2.pdf
Date: May 4-15, 2026
Course Director: Dr. C. Wittnich
Virtual Course - cost $2,200 USD

PSL379 slide 2015-1.pdf