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 are also presented. This is followed by study of the histology of the major types of tissues, including the fundamentals of the immune response. 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.