This course is designed for students whose main research interest is in the field of respiratory physiology and how breathing is controlled. It provides overviews of the leading research in this field, as well as some of the experimental techniques in current use, focussing on selected topics about respiration and its control. Each week, the topic readings and a recorded talk are assigned, with seminar discussion the following week. Students will be expected to summarize each topic in an up to 10-page report due the following week. Students do not need a strong background in all topics covered but are expected to research unfamiliar aspects of topics as necessary for their reports. One of the major goals of this course is to broaden the interdisciplinary background of the participants. Grading is entirely based on the written reports submitted the week following each seminar. These reports present the topic to provide the student in the future with a mini review of the topic as published in reviews as well as critiques of current thought and future questions to be addressed experimentally.