This course takes place longitudinally across the Spring Semester and will include multiple elements to include reflective practice, physical, mental, and emotional wellness activities, community service, and research. Students will be responsible for continuing a community service opportunity in an approved area of interest. Students will continue work on a research project for publication or presentation at the annual MCOM Research Day. Expectations are that research projects will have been started during SRS 1 and completed during SRS 2.

The Gastrointestinal (GI) System Course is an intensive multidisciplinary course, designed to provide requisite knowledge necessary to understand the normal structure and function of the entire GI and hepatobiliary system. The entire course will provide the students with an in-depth knowledge of normal structure and function of GI tract and hepatobiliary system; regulation of mechanical and chemical digestive processes of the GI tract and the accessory organs of digestion; the nervous and hormonal mechanisms regulating control of secretion in the digestive organs; absorption and elimination of food. Students will then be able to describe the mechanisms contributing to absorption of nutrients into the body.

The Renal System Course utilizes a multidisciplinary approach to prepare students with a foundational understanding of the normal structure and function of the renal system. The basic functional principles of the organs of urine production and excretion are reviewed. Disciplines include immunology, gross anatomy, histology, and embryology of the kidney and urinary tract, with a thorough investigation of the essential physiology of kidney function involving the primary renal processes, urine formation, and renal blood flow. In addition, the renal system’s role in ion regulation, acid-base balance, fluid volume, and salt-water balance will be examined along with the regulatory control mechanisms of these functions.

The Endocrine System is designed to teach the basic principles of hormone secretion and action related to the major endocrine structures and systemic tissues. Students are expected to be familiar with the structure and function of the major endocrine glands and the action of the major hormones secreted. This course will focus on the anatomy, histology and physiology of the endocrine system. The Reproductive content is designed to teach the basic principles of hormone secretion and action related to the major reproductive structures and systemic tissues. Students are expected to be familiar with the structure and function of the major reproductive organs and the action of the major hormones secreted. This course will focus on the anatomy, histology and physiology of the reproductive system.

The Neuroscience System presents the student with an intensive introduction to the: 1) Central Nervous System (Brain and Spinal Cord) and 2) Head and Neck anatomy. The central nervous system portion of this course addresses the following topics in integrated fashion: Neuroanatomy, Neurophysiology, Neurohistology, Neuroembryology, and Behavioral Neuroscience. The studies of Neuroscience and of Head and Neck anatomy are bridged by the cranial nerves which begin in the central nervous system and distribute throughout the head and neck.