Medical Science Course Descriptions

The Patient (PAT)

The Patient (PAT) is the first medical science course of the Foundation Phase. During The Patient, students will be introduced to their cadavers and begin the process of dissection and prosection to learn about the musculoskeletal system. In the PALS and CBL sessions, students will spend time learning about patients through anatomy, histology, physiology, and the community in which patients live. The course will tie into the Patient Centered Care course as students begin to learn surface anatomy and how that knowledge will help them learn the basics of the musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, pulmonary, and anatomy physical exam. Lastly, an introduction to clinical epidemiology and Health Systems Science will help students start to appreciate and understand how to care for patients in the larger healthcare system of the 21st century.

Molecules to Cells (MOL)

Molecules to Cells (MOL) is the second medical science course of the Foundation Phase. During Molecules to Cells, students will dive into each basic science coil to start building their mastery of the foundational sciences critical to the understanding of clinical medicine. Microbiology labs woven throughout the course will help solidify some of the concepts taught in the Bricks, PALS, and CBL. PALS will home in on some key concepts reviewed in the Bricks to ensure students have an excellent grasp on these critical basic science topics. The CBL sessions will help integrate the basic, clinical, and social sciences using common clinical scenarios on topics such as glycemic control and alcohol metabolism, so students are well prepared for clinical week immediately following the completion of Molecules to Cells.

Circulation (CIR)

Circulation (CIR) is the third medical science course of the Foundation Phase and is the final course of the first semester. During Circulation, students will learn the basic and clinical sciences of the blood and the heart and how, together, they make up the circulation. During Circulation, students will again spend time in the anatomy lab, picking up where they left off in the Patient. Additionally, students will be introduced to Point of Care Ultrasound (POCUS) and learn how POCUS helps to tie in the basic sciences of physiology, pathology, and anatomy to clinical medicine. The PALS will take deep dives into the basic sciences that are essential to our understanding of common clinical pathologies such as anemia, hypertension, and venous thromboembolic disease. The CBL sessions will further integrate the basic and clinical sciences using common clinical scenarios to help students further develop their clinical reasoning skills and understanding of clinical medicine. At the end of Circulation, students will take an ungraded, end of semester exam, to help both students and educators gauge knowledge gaps and strengths before the second semester begins.

Homeostasis (HOM)

Homeostasis (HOM) is the fourth medical science course of the Foundation Phase. During Homeostasis, students will learn the basic and clinical sciences of the respiratory and renal systems. Students will return to the anatomy lab for the first week of Homeostasis to view the entirety of the respiratory system in their cadavers. The PALS will take deep dives into the basic sciences of both the respiratory and renal systems that are essential to our understanding of common clinical pathologies such as asthma, pneumonia, and acute and chronic renal failure. The CBL sessions will further integrate the basic and clinical sciences using common clinical scenarios to help students further develop their clinical reasoning skills and understanding of clinical medicine. Students will be well prepared for their second clinical week which occurs immediately after the completion of Homeostasis.

Body Regulation (BOD)

Body Regulation (BOD) is the fifth medical science course of the Foundation Phase. During Body Regulation, students will learn the basic and clinical sciences of the endocrine and gastrointestinal systems. Students will again return to the anatomy lab during the second half of the course to dissect the abdominal cavity. The PALS will take deep dives into the basic sciences that are essential to our understanding of common clinical pathologies such as hypo- and hyperthyroidism, diabetes, inflammatory bowel diseases, and liver failure. The CBL sessions will further integrate the basic and clinical sciences using common clinical scenarios to help students further develop their clinical reasoning skills and understanding of clinical medicine. After Body Regulation, students will have a well deserved week off for spring break.

Reproductive and Genitourinary Health (REP)

Reproductive and Genitourinary Health (REP) is the sixth and final course of the first year of the Foundation Phase. During Reproductive and Genitourinary Health, students will learn the basic and clinical sciences of the reproductive and urinary systems. Students will wrap up the first year of anatomy by dissecting the pelvis. Additionally, the clinical epidemiology coil will return during this course. The PALS will take deep dives into the basic sciences that are essential to our understanding of common clinical pathologies such as dysfunctional uterine bleeding and benign prostatic hypertrophy as well normal pregnancy and delivery and embryological development. The CBL sessions will further integrate the basic and clinical sciences using common clinical scenarios to help students further develop their clinical reasoning skills and understanding of clinical medicine. The second semester will end with an ungraded comprehensive end-of-semester exam so that students can formulate a miniature self-study review of specific topics over the summer if they find they are struggling in certain content areas.

Neurons to Networks

Neurons to Networks (NEU) is the first course of the second year of medical school and will begin immediately after second-year orientation. During Neurons to Networks, students will learn the basic and clinical sciences of the neurological system. The end of the course will focus on the eye as well as ear, nose, and throat (ENT) content. The PALS will take deep dives into neuroanatomy and physiology of the peripheral and central nervous systems that are essential to our understanding of infectious processes of the central nervous system such as encephalitis and meningitis in addition to neurodegenerative diseases. The CBL sessions will further integrate the basic and clinical sciences using common clinical scenarios that students will likely encounter in just a few short months as they enter Application Phase. The third and final Clinical Week is scheduled for the week between the Neurons to Networks course and the Life Stages course, which is the subsequent medical science course.

Life Stages

Life Stages (LIF) is the second course of the fall semester in the MS2 year. Life Stages will take students through normal development and then focus on psychiatric illnesses such as Attention Deficit Disorder, Major Depressive Disorder, Substance Use Disorders, and Schizophrenia. Clinical Epidemiology will make its third and final appearance during Life Stages. PALS will take deep dives into the pharmacology and biochemistry of many of the medications we use to treat our patients. Towards the end of the course, PALS will focus on the “3 Ds” that affect so many of our older patients – dementia, depression, and delirium. The CBL sessions will further integrate the basic and clinical sciences using common clinical scenarios that all physicians will see regardless of the setting in which they practice.

Integrated Systems

Integrated Systems (INT) is the third and final medical science of the entire Foundation Phase. Integrated Systems helps to bring everything together by focusing on autoimmune diseases, cancer, dermatology, and musculoskeletal medicine. We will all enjoy a week off to rest and rejuvenate about halfway through Life Stages, over the Thanksgiving Holiday. The semester will end with the Comprehensive Basic Science Exam (i.e., “Baby Step”). Students will then have time off before entering time dedicated to studying for the Step 1 exam. Application Phase begins at the end of February with the Transition to Application Phase (TAP) Course.