Physiology is a fundamental discipline of medicine that studies normal life phenomena from a functional perspective. Formal lectures and practical courses in physiology by full-time faculty began in September 1959, with the appointment of Professor Sung Chang Jung as acting chairperson.

The department’s research focus has evolved over time: until the mid-1960s, studies centered on the body’s compensatory mechanisms under various stress conditions; until the late 1970s, on the physiological regulatory mechanisms of the hippocampus and limbic system; and until the late 1990s, on the mechanisms of digestive secretion and gastrointestinal motility. Entering the 2000s, with the expansion of external research funding, advanced equipment, and additional research personnel, faculty members began to carry out independent studies, leading to a diversification of research topics. Today, the department’s research areas extend to electrophysiology, neurophysiology, muscle and molecular physiology, and endocrine physiology.

Through active participation in academic societies—including leadership roles in the Korean Physiological Society—publications in leading international journals, and collaborations with external institutions, the department has assumed a leading role in advancing physiology in Korea.

Currently, the Department of Physiology is composed of seven full-time professors, four assistants, and numerous graduate students and researchers. Together, they pursue a shared mission of exploring the fundamental principles of life phenomena with dedication and passion.