Physiology, pharmacology and neuroscience are key biomedical sciences and also underpin modern medical, dental and veterinary practice. In the School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, we combine world-class research in all three disciplines with educating future generations of research scientists, doctors, dentists and vets.

Physiology: through increasing our understanding of how the body works from the level of cells to the whole individual, advances in physiology are vital for developing more effective ways to prevent, diagnose and treat disease; for devising effective exercise and training regimes; in enabling us to survive in extreme – often hostile – environments and in providing a rigorous scientific basis for healthy lifestyle choices.

Pharmacology: is about understanding how drugs work in the body and is behind the discovery and development of all medicines used today. By understanding how chemicals affect the function of the body, we can identify new ways to treat diseases. Pharmacologists study disease processes to discover what goes wrong and then find ways to use drugs safely to prevent that disease or relieve the symptoms.

Neuroscience: the study of the development, structure, function and disorders of the nervous system is one of the fastest growing areas in biomedical science. Current research is helping in the development of new treatments for disorders that affect millions of people worldwide such as depression, epilepsy, dementia and stroke.

Laboratory work is fundamental to all three subjects. Students use videos and animations in eBiolabs to study the background to each practical and rehearse the techniques they will use in the lab, ensuring they are well-prepared for the practical, understand its context, and able to collect data efficiently and safely. We have developed pre-lab quizzes, in which students test their knowledge before the practical, and post-lab quizzes that enable them to consider their results and how each practical relates to other parts of their course.

We have also developed eBiolabs material for the development of generic scientific skills, e.g. experimental design, data analysis and numeracy, ensuring our students are well-prepared to undertake a major research project in their final year.