Department of Zoology and Physiology
1000 E. University Ave
Biological Sciences, 428
Laramie, WY 82071
Phone: 307-766-4208
Email: zprequest@uwyo.edu
Physiology is the study of how animals work: how they breathe, feed, and interact
with their environment. Apart from the intrinsic value of this knowledge, it is also
knowledge upon which the health care professions are built. Physiology is of interest
to nearly everyone; it is especially important for students who may be thinking of
becoming medical practitioners, veterinarians, or other health care professionals.
Students who are interested in learning about this fascinating subject can do so by
taking a range of courses the Department of Zoology and Physiology offers. As for
all degree programs, students have to meet all University and College of Arts and
Sciences requirements by taking additional courses outside the department.
In this year students take introductory courses such as Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Mathematics as these are essential for understanding physiological processes.
In this year students finish any introductory courses they have not yet completed and also take basic courses in anatomy and human systems physiology. Human systems physiology is concerned with the function of the major organ systems of the body such as the cardiovascular system and respiratory systems.
Having completed these basic and introductory courses, students continue with the
study of Integrative Physiology. This course emphasizes the regulation of the basic
body systems by the central nervous and endocrine systems. Students will also begin
to specialize in an area of physiology that they find particularly interesting. The
department has two strong areas of interest. The first is cell and neuroscience physiology
and the second is mammalian and comparative physiology.
Over their junior and senior years, students can expand their interests by taking
courses such as Animal Behavior, Neurophysiology, Neural Mechanisms of Behavior, Comparative
Environmental Physiology, Introduction to Neuroscience, Cell Physiology, and Pathophysiology.
At the end of this program students will have a thorough knowledge of the principles
underlying physiological processes and will have developed analytical and problem
solving skills that will be valued by employers. Students will be well-prepared for
graduate studies or professional careers especially in the health care professions.
Department of Zoology and Physiology
1000 E. University Ave
Biological Sciences, 428
Laramie, WY 82071
Phone: 307-766-4208
Email: zprequest@uwyo.edu