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MD Program

Foundation Phase Semester 3

Medical Science Course 3 MTEC 103 | Patient Centered Care Course 3 MTEC 143 | Social and Health Systems Course 3 MTEC 123

Medical Science Course 3: MTEC 103 (15 credit hours)

This course provides a cohesive understanding of normal and abnormal functions of behavioral science, neurologic system, endocrine system, reproductive system, and multi-organ synthesis. The course also demonstrates integration with Social and Health Systems 3 and Patient Centered Care 3.
Duration: Monday-Friday; Fall Semester (August-December)

Course Director:

Medical Science 3 Grpahic

Behavioral Science:

The Behavioral Science Block begins the third semester of the Medical Sciences (MSC) portion of the Foundation Phase of the Translational Education at Carolina (TEC) Curriculum.

Block Directors:

Neurologic Block:

The overarching goals of this block are to introduce students to normal embryology, structure, and function of the central and peripheral nervous systems, eye, ear and vestibular structures. Teach students the pathology, pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment of common diseases of the central and peripheral nervous systems, eye, ear and vestibular apparatus, and teach students the basic principles and pharmacology of anesthesiology

Block Directors:
Ana Felix, MBBCh, MD
Kristen Scherrer, PhD

Endocrine Block:

By the end of this block, you should have a good understanding of basic and clinical endocrinology, and feel comfortable in the evaluation of endocrine problems on the USMLE, on your clinical rotations, and in your lifelong care of patients.

Block Directors:

Reproductive Block:

You will find that this collaborative, integrated course will provide you with the opportunity to apply basic science principles to the active clinical care of your future patients. Topics include molecular diagnostics, clinical cytogenetics, birth defects, metabolic disorders, the normal and abnormal menstrual cycle, the pathophysiology and physiology of obstetrics and reproductive organ cancer biology. Ethical issues related to genetic testing, prenatal counseling, and options for pregnancy will be discussed. Both the lecture setting and patient-based small group case work will afford you the opportunity to apply these and other principles to the clinical care of patients.

Block Directors:

Multi-Organ Synthesis Block:

The goal of the Multi-Organ Synthesis Block is to introduce students to selected diseases that involve multiple organ systems. Students will have the opportunity to review organ specific pathologies and begin to learn how to integrate that knowledge to approach a patient with multi-system disease. There is a strong focus on systemic autoimmune disorders.

Block Directors:


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Patient Centered Care Course 3: MTEC 143 (5 credit hours)

Patient Centered Care 3 Graphic

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 behavioral science, endocrine system, reproductive system, musculoskeletal system, and integumentary system.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, twice a semester students will participate in Clinical Skills Encounters (CSE’s) with standardized patients in our Clinical Skills Center. During these CSE’s students can practice the clinical skills they learned in prior sessions. In addition to these classroom and skills center experiences, students are expected to interact with real patients throughout the year in a variety of Patient Encounters.
Duration: Once a week, Fall Semester (August-December)

Course Director:

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Social and Health Systems Course 3: MTEC 123 (1 credit hour)

Professional Development 3 Graphic

Social and Health Systems (SHS) 3 offers students the opportunity to engage in depth with a topic in the social dimensions of health, illness, and medicine. Students choose one SHS 3 seminar to take.  The SHS seminars vary widely in content, encompassing bioethics, health disparities, health and human rights, health law, health policy and health care reform, global health, history of medicine, and science and technology studies.  In addition to gaining knowledge about the content area they choose to pursue, students develop skills in critical thinking and analysis, conducting research, writing papers, creating and giving oral research presentations, and teaching each other.  SHS 3 meets weekly during the 3rd semester. All seminars share objectives, goals, requirements, and competencies common to the SHS 3 course.
Duration: Once a week, Fall Semester (August-December)

Course Directors:

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