Preclinical Curriculum

Foundational modules

The 20-month preclinical curriculum begins with three foundational modules, Molecules to Medicine, Attack and Defense and Language of Medicine. Within each module, there is a progression of knowledge in a systematic fashion and weekly thematic content synthesized via a small group interactive patient case.

• Molecules to Medicine

  CIRC 5007. Molecules to Medicine. 9 Credit Hours.

  The Molecules to Medicine module provides the foundation for subsequent courses and clinical practice. Through active, collaborative learning activities which may include, but are not limited to, laboratory, small group, and clinical case sessions the students gain a deeper understanding of the homeostatic structure of molecules, cells, and tissues. Students develop problem-solving skills in a multidisciplinary approach to human health and disease.

• Attack & Defense

  CIRC 5009. Attack and Defense. 9 Credit Hours.

  The Attack and Defense module is an integrated and innovative look at microbiology, immunology, and infectious disease including public and international health issues. Students are prepared for clinical encounters requiring diagnosis, treatment, and preventive measures for immunological conditions and disorders and infectious diseases by fostering critical thinking skills. The learning environment promotes professional identity formation, effective communication and professionalism. Students acquire a broad understanding of normal and abnormal immune system function through active, collaborative leaning activities which may include, but are not limited to laboratory, small group, and clinical case sessions.

• Language of Medicine

  CIRC 5003. Language of Medicine Longitudinal Module. 5.4 Credit Hours.

  The Language of Medicine component of the curriculum serves as the common denominator necessary for students to be able to discuss systematic anatomy in the integrated modules to follow. Basic structure, conceptual anatomical principles and development of the human body presented. Knowledge is acquired in didactic sessions emphasizing clinical relevance, reinforced by practical application during laboratory application during laboratory sessions in which supervised cadaver dissection is performed by the students. Imaging techniques, prosections, demonstrations, and presentations by clinical specialists supplement the laboratory work.

Longitudinal modules

There are two longitudinal modules threaded throughout the preclinical curriculum: Medicine, Behavior, and Society (MBS) and Clinical Skills. MBS explores the areas of history, law, ethics, clinical, social and cultural contexts of medicine as well as human behavior & development over the lifespan (cognitive, social and emotional development from infancy to death). In Clinical Skills students learn medical history taking and physical exam techniques using standardized and real patients.

The preclinical phase of the curriculum concludes with students taking the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) Comprehensive Basic Science Exam (CBSE) and meeting established score benchmarks in order to progress to the clinical phase of the curriculum.

• Clinical Skills Longitudinal Module

  CIRC 5005. Clinical Skills Longitudinal Module. 14.75 Credit Hours.

  The Clinical Skills Longitudinal module threads throughout the entire first and second year curriculum. Using standardized and real patients, students learn medical history taking and physical examination techniques. In addition, through didactic sessions, simulations, small group sessions and labs, students master the knowledge, communication skills, professional, and interpersonal skills necessary for fostering positive doctor-patient relationships.

• Medicine, Behavior & Society

  CIRC 5001. Medicine, Behavior & Society Longitudinal Module. 6 Credit Hours.

  The Medicine, Behavior, and Society module explores the areas of history, law, ethics, clinical, social and cultural contexts of medicine as well as human behavior & development over the lifespan (cognitive, social and emotional development from infancy to death.) The course will focus on global issues such as the health care system and on local issues such as the physician-patient relationship. Students will be introduced to communication skills, professionalism, research, and cultural competency.

Organ-system modules

There are eight sequential organ-system modules throughout the preclinical curriculum. The organ-system modules integrate anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology (pathology, histology), pharmacology and clinical skills instruction for a comprehensive, cohesive curriculum that develop students’ ability “to think like a doctor”.

• Hematology

  CIRC 5017. Hematology. 3 Credit Hours.

  The goal of this course is to expose students to the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of disease and disorders as they pertain to the specialty of hematology. During the module, the first year medical students will come to appreciate the basic science foundation for the clinical practice of Hematology. Students will gain an understanding of the medical non-medical factors that effect the hematology system.

• Respiratory Health

  CIRC 5013. Respiratory Health. 4 Credit Hours.

  The Respiratory Health module integrates basic science and clinical concepts related to respiratory health disease. A comprehensive study is conducted of the normal structure and function, pathophysiology/pathology, clinical manifestations, and interpretation of diagnostic tests for respiratory diseases. The student is immersed in a multidisciplinary study of pharmacotherapeutic approaches to treatment, interventional therapies, the use of evidence-based medicine and research, epidemiology, and prevention in the field of respiratory health. Students acquire a broad understanding of normal and abnormal respiratory system function through active, collaborative learning activities which may include, but are not limited to laboratory, small group, and clinical case sessions.

• Renal & Male Reproductive

  CIRC 5015. Renal and Male Reproductive. 5 Credit Hours.

  The Renal and Male Reproductive module is a comprehensive overview of the structural and urologic components of the renal and the male reproductive system. Students gain a deeper understanding of glomerular and tubular function and pathology, as well as acute and chronic kidney injury and also benefit from a multidisciplinary approach represented by adult and pediatrics, and biochemistry. A broad understanding of normal and abnormal renal and male reproductive system function is achieved through active, collaborative learning activities that may include, but are not limited to laboratory, small group, and clinical case sessions.

• Circulation

  CIRC 5011. Circulation. 5 Credit Hours.

  The Circulation module provides an integrated approach to the basic and clinical science concepts related to the cardiovascular and hematopoietic systems. Students acquire a broad understanding of normal structure and function of the cardiovascular and hematopoietic systems including the cardiac cycle, cardiovascular pressures and flows, nutrients and oxygen delivery, hematopoiesis, and the hemostasis system through active, collaborative learning activities which may include, but are not limited to, laboratory, small group, and clinical case sessions. A comprehensive, multidisciplinary overview of the pathophysiology, epidemiology, biostatistics, interpretation of diagnostic tests, and pharmacotherapeutic and other therapeutic principles related to cardiovascular and hematopoietic disorders is included.

• Mind, Brain & Behavior

  CIRC 6007. Mind, Brain and Behavior. 9 Credit Hours.

  Mind, Brain, and Behavior module provides a comprehensive introduction to the normal anatomy, development, physiology and radiological features of the human nervous system and its pathologic disorders. Through active learning methods, students will practice clinical assessment of the nervous system while learning the major features of common neurological, neurosurgical, psychiatric and psychological disorders and pharmacological approach for the nature of the experience of the brain. The student will gain an appreciation for the nature of the experience of having an illness affecting the brain and mind, and a deepened compassion for patients with these illnesses.

• Endocrine & Female Reproductive

  CIRC 6009. Endocrine & Female Reproductive. 7 Credit Hours.

  The Endocrine- Reproductive module provides an integrated, comprehensive study of the normal structure and function of the endocrine and reproductive systems as well as the clinical manifestations of endocrine and reproductive disorders. Innovative, active learning methods which may include, but are not limited to laboratory, small group, and clinical case sessions allow students to develop critical thinking skills and gain a deeper understanding of the role of the endocrine system in regulation of metabolic activity, water and electrolyte balance, the endocrinology of the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, as well as human reproduction. The students benefit from a multidisciplinary approach incorporating the study of pharmacotherapeutic modalities, evidence based medicine, as well as current clinical/translational research applications into the endocrinology/reproductive medicine curriculum.

• Digestive Health & Nutrition

  CIRC 6011. Digestive Health and Nutrition. 7 Credit Hours.

  The Digestive Health and Nutrition module provides an integrated overview of the basic science and clinical concepts related to digestive health and nutrition. Through innovative learning methods that may include, but are not limited to laboratory, small group, and clinical case sessions, students gain a deeper understanding of the normal structure and function of the digestive system, as well as pathophysiology/pathology, clinical manifestations and interpretation of diagnostic tests as they relate to digestive health and nutrition. This comprehensive, multidisciplinary study includes pharmacotherapeutic approaches to treatment, interventional therapies, psychosocial aspects of digestive disease, the use of evidence-based medicine and research, epidemiology, and prevention in the field of digestive health and nutrition.

• Form & Function

  CIRC 6013. Form & Function. 7.5 Credit Hours.

  The Form & Function module provides a comprehensive study of the development, structure, and function of the musculoskeletal and integumentary systems. Students acquire a broad understanding of normal and abnormal musculoskeletal and dermatologic function through active, collaborative learning during laboratory, small group, and clinical case sessions. Diagnostic and therapeutic techniques in the management of musculoskeletal and dermatologic disorders are discussed.