The department of Physiology participates in teaching the normal structure and function of the human body for undergraduate medical students during Phase 1 of the MBBS degree programme which lays the foundation for the study of derangement of the normal physiology in clinical medicine. In addition to the medical undergraduate programme the department engages in teaching BSc (Speech and Hearing Sciences) and BSc ( External degree in Physioltherapy) programmes of the University of Kelaniya. Senior academic staff members of the department contribute to many post graduate teaching programs and examinations conducted by the Post Graduate Institute of Medicine of the University of Colombo.
The upgraded laboratories provide practical training in human physiology for undergraduate and postgraduate students. The department has a state of the art Gastroenterology Research Laboratory which provides investigation facilities for research and clinical purposes. In addition, the Department of Physiology has well equipped Respiratory Physiology and Autonomic Function laboratories.
The main research interests of the department are gastrointestinal physiology, respiratory physiology, clinical genetics, autonomic nervous system functions, geriatric medicine, endocrinology and pathophysiological effects of radiation and environmental pollution.
Mission
- To develop and maintain excellent programs of teaching in physiology in an environment of high quality education that nurtures a spirit of inquiry and self learning .
- Generation of new knowledge through research in a scientific setting to bridge knowledge gaps and to use this knowledge to create new applications.
- Provision of services to the community with a high standard of quality and care with up to date technology.