For students attending the course Integrated physiology and pharmacology (30 credits) course code 4FF015

The aim of the course is to provide a foundation in integrated physiology and pharmacology so that students later in the programme will be able to benefit from practical components and transfer physiological and pharmacological principles to academic and clinical settings. Course components range from molecular and cell-based physiology and mechanism-oriented pharmacology to organ-based physiology, pathophysiology, and disease treatment.

Syllabus

Current syllabus and literature

Schedule

Link to schedule. Schedule for autumn 2026 is published in August.

Registration

Registration is mandatory in order to keep your place and participate in the course. You register yourself in Ladok. The registration period is from August 17 until September 2, 2026.

More information about web registration.

About the course

The course is held on KI campus Solna with full-time teaching (100%). Full-time teaching corresponds to 40 hours of study per week.

The course starts on August 31, 2026 and ends in mid-January 2027.

The course will include the functions of the organs during:

normal/healthy conditions,
abnormal conditions/diseases, and
pharmacological/non-pharmacological treatment to create an integrated understanding of the subject areas.

Through knowledge in the major subject, the purpose is further that the student should be able to assimilate practical elements and understand how physiological and pharmacological principles can be applied.

The course is divided into four parts that are examined separately:

Part 1. Introduction, 3.0 credits

This part contains:

Introduction to translational physiology and pharmacology
Sustainability, identification of sustainability aspects in research and development
Ethics and medical ethics
Introduction to Team-Based Learning (TBL)

Part 2. Regulation and Defense, 8.0 credits

This part contains:

Pharmacokinetics, pharmacogenetics, pharmacodynamics and receptor pharmacology
Physiology, pathophysiology and pharmacology of the nervous system, endocrinology and reproduction
Immune system, inflammation and anti-inflammatory treatment
Innovation and entrepreneurship

Part 3. Circulation, Respiration, Renal Function, Digestion, Muscle and Adaptation, and Cancer, 10 credits

This part contains:

Physiology, pathophysiology and pharmacology of the heart and circulation, respiration, renal function, gastrointestinal tract, muscle and adaptation
Cancer and cancer treatment

Part 4. Application and Integration, 9.0 credits

This part contains:

Environmental physiology
Physiological integration and pharmacological treatment of systemic diseases
Practical laboratory exercises and pharmacological calculations
Introduction to ATMP (Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products)

The mode of teaching during the course is manly TBL (Team-Based Learning). TBL is a structured form of small-group learning that emphasizes student preparation out of class and application of knowledge in class. The students will work together in smaller groups during TBL and the teaching is centered around student commitment and active participation and collaboration. In addition, the course includes introductory lectures, workshops, laboratory sessions, seminars, and journal clubs.