Physiology is an experimental scientific discipline and is of central importance in medicine and related health sciences. It provides a thorough understanding of normal body function, enabling more effective treatment of abnormal or disease states.

We use innovative teaching methods to enhance our teaching. Practicals are run in well-equipped modern labs and incorporate a newly developed online learning environment, eBiolabs, and state-of-the-art Human Patient Simulators.

What is Physiology?

Physiology is the study of animal (including human) function and can be investigated at the level of cells, tissues, organ systems and the whole body. The underlying goal is to explain the fundamental mechanisms that operate in a living organism and how they interact.

Besides satisfying a natural curiosity about how animals and humans function, the study of physiology is of central importance in medicine and related health sciences, as it underpins advances in our understanding of disease and our ability to treat it more effectively. It is also important from psychological and philosophical viewpoints, helping us to understand the nervous system, through which subjective experience is gained and behaviour and learning are controlled.

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What is Pharmacology?

Pharmacology plays a key role in human health and society. It is described by the British Pharmacological Society (PDF, 1.7MB) as the science that underlies "advancing molecules into medicines". Pharmacology is the study of the action of drugs in the widest possible sense, encompassing many types of chemicals as well as a medicines that affect the functioning of the body. Pharmacologists study how drugs work in the body and use this information explore how the body itself functions. Pharmacologists are also responsible for the discovery of hundreds of chemicals used in the treatment of disease and the relief of human and animal suffering. Pharmacology is closely allied to related disciplines, including biochemistry, chemistry, physiology and medicine. Recent advances in molecular biology and genomics have greatly aided the understanding of how drugs work and will undoubtedly continue to have a major impact on pharmacology and drug discovery.

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What is Neuroscience?

Neuroscience is the study of the development, structure and function of the nervous system. It includes the ways in which the brain and spinal cord enable us to move, see, hear, smell and taste, and how we experience touch and pain. It also encompasses the study of learning, memory and emotions. Bristol has a very active neuroscience community, involving staff across the School of Physiology and Pharmacology, as well as the rest of the University and local hospitals. The neuroscience community in Bristol is supported by Bristol Neuroscience, which enables everyone involved or interested in the field to benefit from the expertise and facilities in the University and its partner hospitals.

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