Required Pre-Clerkship Curriculum

BIOC 205: Molecular Foundations of Medicine

This course’s topics include DNA structure, replication, repair, and recombination; gene expression, including mechanisms for regulating transcription and translation; chromosome structure and function; gene cloning, protein engineering, and genomics. Patient presentations and journal clubs illustrate how molecular biology affects the practice of medicine.

SURG 203: Clinical Anatomy

Introduction to human structure and function presented from a clinical perspective. Includes clinical scenarios, frequently used medical imaging techniques, and interventional procedures to illustrate the underlying anatomy. Students participate in lectures and engage in dissection of the human body in the anatomy laboratory. Surgery 203 presents structures of the head, neck, thorax, abdomen, pelvis, back, upper and lower limbs.

SURG 201: Embryology

This course focuses on the structural development of the human body from embryo to fetus to early post-natal life. Topics include formation of the cardiovascular, respiratory, musculoskeletal, gastrointestinal, reproductive, and renal systems, as well as common clinical conditions that arise from abnormalities of development.

EMED 201: Basic Cardiac Life Support (BLS)

All medical students must be certified in Basic Cardiac Life Support before the end of the first (autumn) quarter. Students who provide documentation of certification received within six months prior to the date of matriculation will be exempted from the requirement. The course teaches one- and two-rescuer CPR, management of an obstructed airway, and CPR for infants and children. Upon completion of the course, students receive an American Heart Association certificate in BLS.

BIOC 200: Applied Biochemistry

This course focuses on the fundamental concepts of biochemistry as applied to clinical medicine. Topics include: thermodynamics, enzyme kinetics, vitamins and cofactors, metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids, amino acids and nucleotides, and the integration of metabolic pathways. Clinical case studies discussed in small-group, problem-based learning sessions.

GENE 202: Human Genetics

This course utilizes lectures and small group discussions to develop a working knowledge of human genetics as applicable to clinical medicine and research. Basic principles of inheritance, risk assessment, and population genetics, illustrated by using clinical examples drawn from diverse areas of medical genetics practice including prenatal, pediatric, adult and cancer genetics. Practical aspects of molecular and cytogenetic diagnostic methods emphasized. Existing and emerging treatment strategies for single gene disorders also covered. Prerequisites: basic genetics.

INDE 218: Histology

This course focuses on the microscopic structure of the major organ systems, including the cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, endocrine, renal, and reproductive systems. Sessions examine the unique features of the cells and tissues that comprise the major organs, describe how they contribute to the organs’ functions, and explore how they form the foundation for many pathologic processes.

INDE 263: Microbiology and Infectious Diseases I

The first course in a two-course series exploring microbiology, pathogenesis, and clinical issues associated with infectious diseases. Simulated patient cases serve as a springboard discussion on viral, bacterial, fungal, protozoal and helminthic pathogens. Online videos and self-assessments followed by interactive sessions and problem sets.

NBIO 206: The Nervous System

This course focuses on the structure and function of the nervous system, including neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, and systems neurobiology. Topics include the properties of neurons and the mechanisms and organization underlying higher functions. Framework for general work in neurology, neuropathology, clinical medicine, and for more advanced work in neurobiology. Lecture and lab components must be taken together.

IMM 205: Immunology in Health and Disease

This course focuses on concepts and application of adaptive and innate immunology and the role of the immune system in human diseases. Case presentations of diseases including autoimmune diseases, infectious disease and vaccination, hematopoietic and solid organ transplantation, genetic and acquired immunodeficiencies, hypersensitivity reactions, and allergic diseases. Problem sets based on lectures and current clinical literature. Laboratory in acute and chronic inflammation.

DBIO 201: Cells and Signaling in Regenerative Medicine

This course focuses on conserved molecular and cellular pathways regulate tissue and organ homeostasis. Errors in these pathways result in human diseases. Manipulation of key cells and signals is leading to new strategies for stimulating tissue formation and regeneration. Topics include: stem cells, molecules regulating stem cell proliferation and differentiation, signaling pathways, gene regulation, embryonic stem cells, programmed cell death, cell lineage, tissue regeneration, use of stem cells in transplantation. Organoids. Emphasis on links between stem cells, signals, and clinically significant topics including diabetes, bone loss, cancer, and aging.

INDE 265: Microbiology and Infectious Diseases II

The second course in a two-course series explores microbiology, pathogenesis, and clinical issues associated with infectious diseases. Patient cases provide the springboard for discussions on microbiomes, diarrhea, hepatitis, STIs, helminths, zoonoses, and systemic diseases. Online videos and self-assessments are followed by interactive sessions and problem sets.

INDE 201: Practice of Medicine I

Six quarter doctoring course series extending throughout the first two years of the MD program, interweaving core skills training in medical interviewing and the physical examination with other major threads addressing the context of medical practice: information literacy, nutrition principles, clinical epidemiology and biostatistics, evidence-based practice, psychiatry, biomedical ethics, health policy, psychiatry, and population health. Core clinical skills are acquired through hands-on practice, and evaluated through an extensive program of simulated medical encounters, in which students interview, examine, and manage patients in simulated and actual clinical settings. The information literacy thread introduces students to informatics and knowledge management, biomedical informatics, and evidence-based medicine searching. Nutrition principles are acquired through interactive, web-based instruction, and reinforced through problem-based learning cases, which run in parallel to the basic science components over the first year. In epidemiology students learn the taxonomy of epidemiological studies, how to critically read a journal article, and how to recognize and understand the concepts behind different clinical study designs. Topics include bias, confounding, diagnostic testing and screening, and "how statistics can lie." Psychiatry introduces students to the unique role of medical students in talking with patients, the difference between process and content in patient communication, how to respond to breaks in the patient-physician relationship, and the relationship between the quality of the patient-physician interaction and health outcomes. Health care policy covers such topics as health insurance, physician payment, health care costs, access, measurement and improvement of quality, regulation and health care reform. Biomedical ethics includes important ethical issues in medical practice, such as confidentiality, privacy, and ethical issues relating to medical students. The population health curriculum exposes students to concepts of public health, community action, and advocacy, and includes a year-long, community-based project. At the end of this quarter students participate in a performance-based assessment of medical interviewing skills.

INDE 202: Practice of Medicine II

This course focuses on medical interview and physical examination skills, information literacy, nutrition principles, evidence-based practice, health policy, and population health are covered. At the end of this quarter, students participate in a performance-based assessment of their medical interview and physical examination skills. See INDE 201 for a complete description of the Practice of Medicine course series.

INDE 203: Practice of Medicine III

This course focuses on medical interview and physical examination skills, biomedical literature retrieval and appraisal, nutrition principles, evidence-based practice, biomedical ethics, and population health are covered. Students begin clinical problem-solving sessions to learn the approach to common and important clinical problems. Cases integrate other course themes of population health, evidence-based practice, clinical ethics, nutrition, health policy, and behavioral medicine. Students begin transition from comprehensive to problem-focused patient encounters. Students also gain exposure to geriatrics, pediatrics, and interprofessional healthcare teams, and practice mental health interview skills. At the end of this quarter, students participate in a performance-based assessment of their medical interview and physical examination skills. See INDE 201 for a complete description of the Practice of Medicine course series.

INDE 204: Practice of Medicine IV

The second year of the Practice of Medicine series (INDE 204 and 205) emphasizes clinical reasoning, clinical practicum, and clinical procedures. Students continue clinical problem-solving sessions to learn the approach to common and important clinical problems. Cases integrate other course themes of population health, evidence-based practice, clinical ethics, nutrition, health policy, and behavioral medicine. Students spend one-half day per week in a clinical setting, practicing medical interview, physical examination skills, oral presentations, and clinical note-writing under the mentorship of a clinical tutor. In the practicum, students also gain experience with other practical aspects of patient care. The Clinical Procedures segment introduces common and important procedures in clinical practice, including phlebotomy, intravenous line insertion, and electrocardiography.

INDE 205: Practice of Medicine V

The fifth quarter in the doctoring course continues to emphasize clinical reasoning, clinical practicum, and clinical procedures. Students continue clinical problem-solving sessions to learn the approach to common and important clinical problems. Cases integrate other course themes of population health, evidence-based practice, clinical ethics, nutrition, health policy, and behavioral medicine. Students spend one-half day per week in a clinical setting, practicing medical interview, physical examination skills, oral presentations, and clinical note-writing under the mentorship of a clinical tutor. In the practicum, students also gain experience with other practical aspects of patient care. For the Clinical Procedures segment, students will have an opportunity in the Emergency Department to practice performing procedures learned in the previous quarter. At the end of this quarter, students participate in a comprehensive four-station objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) performance-based assessment of their medical interview, physical examination, and clinical problem-solving skills.

INDE 206: Practice of Medicine VI

This final segment of the Practice of Medicine series is an intensive learning experience to consolidate clinical skills from prior quarters, and a final preparation for the transition to clerkships. An extensive series of workshops covers topics such as dermatology, ophthalmology, advanced clinical reasoning, advanced presentations, bedside skills, ethics, palliative medicine, advanced sexual history, electronic medical record, EKG interpretation, intravenous fluid and electrolyte management. Students practice clinical procedures with task trainers and through other simulation. This quarter also includes a professionalism series to prepare students for entry into clinical practice. Special clinical practice sessions are held as a capstone to clinical skills preparation.

INDE 221: Science of Medicine I

The first course in a three-course sequence Science of Medicine (SOM) course presents organ system-based histology, pathology, physiology, and pharmacology in a sequence of interdisciplinary courses. Each organ-specific integrated course includes a review of the anatomy and related histology, normal function of that organ system, how the organ system is affected by and responds to disease including infection, and how diseases of that organ system are treated (therapeutics). In SOM I, the focus is on structure, function, diseases and therapeutics of the respiratory system and the cardiovascular system.

INDE 222: Science of Medicine II

The second course in a three-course sequence. The Human Science of Medicine (SOM) course presents organ system-based histology, pathology, physiology, and pharmacology in a sequence of interdisciplinary courses. Each organ-specific integrated course includes a review of the anatomy and related histology, normal function of that organ system, how the organ system is affected by and responds to disease including infection, and how diseases of that organ system are treated (therapeutics). In SOM II, the focus is on the structure, function, disease, and therapeutics of the renal/genito-urinary system, the gastrointestinal system, the endocrine system, the skin, male and female reproductive systems, and women's health.

INDE 223: Science of Medicine III

The third course in a three-course sequence, the Human Health and Disease (SOM) course presents organ system-based histology, pathology, physiology, and pharmacology in a sequence of interdisciplinary courses. Each organ-specific integrated course includes a review of the anatomy and related histology, normal function of that organ system, how the organ system is affected by and responds to disease including infection, and how diseases of that organ system are treated (therapeutics). In SOM III, the focus is on the structure, function, disease, and therapeutics of the brain, blood, and MSK systems.