Department of Physiology (1882 - )

The University of Melbourne Department of Physiology was created in 1882 when the Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Pathology was split into a Department of Physiology and a Department of Anatomy and Pathology.

George Halford, who had been the professor of anatomy, physiology and pathology since the opening of the medical school became the first professor of physiology in its own right.

Physiology had always been his first love and remained so until his retirement in 1896 at the age of 71. He recognised that it was time for a younger person to take his place and this occurred with the appointment of C.J. Martin, a promising physiologist from the University of Sydney.

Martin left the University of Melbourne after a few years because his path to a professorship was blocked by the conditions of Halford's appointment which provided him with tenure for life. Martin went on to become Director of the prestigious Lister Institute in London.

During the 20th Century, the Department was headed by individuals of note and flair who had a major influence on its teaching and research directions.

• Physiology Department

Previous and Subsequent Entities

 1862 - 1882 Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Pathology
       1882 - Department of Physiology

Faculty

• Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne (1991 - )