Foundation Phase Semester 1

Medical Science Semester 1 (MTEC 101, 15 hours)

Medical Science Course 1 (MTEC 101) is composed of four blocks that provide a cohesive understanding of normal and abnormal functions of the immunologic, hematologic, and cardiovascular systems. It also introduces and integrates important concepts from biochemistry, histology, genetics, pathology, pharmacology, microbiology, and epidemiology. This course also aligns with content in the Patient Centered Care 1 (MTEC 111) and Social and Health Systems 1 (MTEC 121). Blocks within Medical Science Course 1 meet Monday through Friday, 8 am – 12 pm.

Course Director: Kathy Barnhouse, MD

Medical Science Course 1 (MTEC 101) is comprised of the following four blocks:

Principles of Medicine Block
Principles of Medicine is the first of four integrated blocks within the Medical Science 1 Course (MTEC 101). The goal of this block is to introduce the fundamental concepts associated with the basic science fields, such as biochemistry microbiology, genetics, and histology, in order to develop a cohesive understanding of the cellular and sub-cellular structures and processes that impact health and disease.
Block Directors: Emily Moorefield, PhD and Ed Kernick, PhD

Immunology Block
The main function of the immune system is to prevent or limit infections by microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. The overall goal of this block is to teach both the basic principles of immunology and the clinical skills in managing and taking care of patients with immunological illnesses. This course is designed to give an overview of immunology through basic/clinical science lectures combined with relevant laboratory exercises.
Block Director: Tom Belhorn, MD

Hematology Block
This block gives an overview of hematology, which includes the study of benign processes of blood cells, abnormalities of hemoglobin and other blood proteins including blood coagulation, It also includes information on oncology, the science and medicine of cancer. The block used basic and clinical science lectures combined with clinical exercises associated to deliver content.
Block Directors: Alice Ma, MD and Yuri Fedoriw, MD

Cardiology Block
The overarching goals of this block are to give an overview of the excitable tissues and the autonomic nervous system, introduce normal cardiovascular embryology, structure, and physiology, and lipid biochemistry and introduce the pathology, diagnosis and treatment of common cardiovascular disease.
Block Directors: Lisa Rose-Jones, MD FACC and Jon Homeister, MD, Ph.D

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Patient Centered Care Course 1 (MTEC 111, 5 hours)

This course develops basic clinical skills and reasoning essential to the practice of medicine through clinical experiences, longitudinal contact with medical professionals, and integration with the concepts from the immunologic, hematologic, and cardiovascular systems. This course is designed to enable the student to learn the core clinical skills—History-Taking, Physical Examination, Communication, Clinical Reasoning, Patient-Centered Care, and Professionalism— necessary for future patient care. The Patient Centered Care course is based primarily on weekly small group sessions where students learn clinical skills. In addition to these small group sessions, students will participate in Clinical Skills Encounters (CSEs) with standardized patients in the school’s Clinical Skills Center. This course meets once a week for three hours each semester of the Foundation Phase.
Course Directors: Tommy Koonce, MD and Catherine Coe, MD

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Social and Health Systems Course 1 (MTEC 121, 1 hour)

This course explores the socio-cultural, political, legal, and ethical dimensions of medical care through research, small-group discussion, and integration with concepts from the basic sciences and body systems. It also provides a structure for students to reflect on, develop, and track professional goals through faculty mentorships. The core of this course is the directed discussion that takes place in seminar groups. Course faculty members come from clinical, social science, and humanities backgrounds, bringing significant experience in interdisciplinary research and teaching to the seminar sessions.This course meets once a week for 1.5 hours.

Course Director: Raul Necochea, PhD

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