Predoctoral Program: Curriculum
Basic Medical Sciences
Overview
The Basic Medical Sciences track is given in the first two
years of study and is comprised of three
courses. Instruction consists of lecture, laboratories, case
conferences and problem-based learning.
Students begin their study of the basic sciences with the Human
Systems course, which presents the
normal structure and function of cells, tissues and the organ
systems. This is followed by the Human
Development and Health course, which focuses on the biological,
psychological, and social development
of humans, and the legal and ethical issues associated with the
provision of health care across the lifespan. The Basic Medical
Sciences track concludes with the Mechanisms of Disease course,
which presents the pathology and pathophysiology of the organ
systems, infectious diseases, and principles of therapeutics,
especially pharmacology.
Courses
Human Systems
The Human Systems course runs the entire first year (38 weeks: 17 hours/week). It is divided into four
sections (approximate length of section):
- Human Biology (13 weeks)
- Organ Systems 1 (7 weeks)
- Organ Systems 2 (9 weeks)
- Organ Systems 3 (9 weeks)
The course covers the basic elements of human anatomy,
histology, biochemistry, physiology, cell biology and genetics.
Also included is an introduction to biostatistics.
Human Biology
This section presents the basic structure, biochemistry, and
physiology of cells and tissues. It provides the foundation for
the material presented in the context of the organ systems
sections, and gives students a framework upon which to build
their knowledge of the basic medical sciences as the year
progresses. The section begins with an introduction to the
general principles of biochemistry and molecular biology as the
foundations of the biological sciences. The principles of human
genetics and the fundamentals of the immune response are also
presented. This is integrated with the study of the histology of
the major types of tissues. Students also begin dissection of
the human body, starting with the upper and lower extremities.
Organ Systems 1. The primary focus of this section is
the structure and function of the central nervous system. The
gross anatomy of the head and neck is also presented.
Organ Systems 2. This section presents an integrated
view of the organs of homeostasis including the heart, lungs and
kidneys. The gross anatomy of the thorax is presented, as is an
introduction to biostatistics and epidemiology.
Organ Systems 3. The structure and function of the
gastrointestinal track, the endocrine organs, and the
reproductive organs is the primary focus of this section.
Students concurrently dissect the abdomen.
Human Development and Health
The Human Development and Health course begins the second
academic year, and runs for eight weeks (17 hours/week). The
course is comprised of a multidisciplinary survey of biological,
psychological, and social development from conception to death;
an investigation of the behavioral and social determinants of
health and illness; an introduction to principles of medical law
and ethics applied to doctor-patient relationships and health
care problems; and an overview of health care services across
the life span, their effectiveness, and the forces shaping their
evolution. Also included is an introduction to epidemiology and
population health.
Mechanisms of Disease
The Mechanisms of Disease course completes the second year,
running for 29 weeks (17 hours/week). It is comprised of eight
sections (approximate length of section):
- General Pathology and Pharmacology (4 weeks)
- Infectious Disease (4 weeks)
- Diseases of Homeostasis (7 weeks)
- Oncology (3 weeks)
- Diseases of Metabolism (3 weeks)
- Diseases of the Nervous System (4 weeks)
- Immune and Non-Immune Mediated Diseases of Skin, Connective Tissue, and Bones/Joints (2 weeks)
The course reviews the pathology and pathophysiology of the
organ systems previously presented in the Human Systems course.
In addition, basic principles of therapeutics, especially
pharmacologic, are presented. |
