These two one-semester courses together provide a systems-based curriculum that provides the student an opportunity to build a cognitive framework and knowledge base necessary to understand and apply normal human physiology to medical physiology and pathophysiology. Systems covered in the first semester include cellular physiology, homeostatic mechanisms, basic neurophysiology, the cardiovascular system, the respiratory system, and the renal system. Systems covered in the second semester include gastrointestinal, endocrine, and reproductive; neurophysiology, introduction to biomedical ethics, and multisystem physiology and pathophysiology processes are also covered. Basic clinical skills, clinical reasoning, physical exam skills are also integrated throughout. This curriculum combines lecture with clinical correlations, case studies, independent study, projects, and simulation activities. Prerequisite: none.

This is a two-semester course encompassing all aspects of human functional anatomy and clinical gross anatomy. This course will cover embryonic development and focus on the gross anatomy of all systems in the human body including musculoskeletal, neuronal, respiratory, cardiovascular, digestive, urinary, and reproductive systems. In addition, imaging techniques such as x-ray radiography, CT scans, and MRI emphasizing structural relationships will introduce students to a clinical perspective of the structure of the human body. Course objectives include the acquisition of anatomical structural knowledge, the development of oral presentation and written communication skills, as well as the development of critical assessment of biomedical literature. Students will experience hands on learning with prosected cadavers. Learning is facilitated through lecture, team problem-based learning with clinical case presentations, and reflective observation exercises. Prerequisite: none.

This course is a two-semester course that incorporates a problem-based learning (PBL) approach to investigative fundamental biomedical concepts within the context of clinical cases. The objective of the course is to promote student learning of the biochemical, molecular, and cellular mechanisms underlying normal physiology and metabolism, thus providing a foundation for understanding disease processes. The course provides a foundation in cellular and molecular biology, including cell structure, cellular macromolecules, DNA and RNA structure and function, protein synthesis, and regulation of gene expression, energetics, metabolism, regulation, organization and function of cellular organelles, flow of genetic information, and the regulation of selected cell activities. The first semester will focus primarily on human molecular genetics. The second semester will primarily focus on metabolic pathways and inborn errors of metabolism. Critical thinking skills will be developed throughout the course as students discuss clinical cases in order to link the clinical presentation with the underlying molecular mechanisms of the disease state. Prerequisite: none.

This course introduces graduate students to the fundamental principles of microbiology including microbial structure and diversity, microbial metabolism and pathogenicity, and classes and actions of antimicrobial drugs. This overview includes discussions of the interplay between the microbial pathogen and the host immune response during the infectious process and the understanding of adaptations of the microbial pathogens to overcome the immune system and cause diseases in humans. Representative microorganisms belonging to each class of pathogen (bacterial, viral, fungal, and parasitic) are discussed. Other topics within the course will include emerging diseases, public health epidemiology, vaccines, antimicrobial resistance, and eradication of disease. Prerequisite: none.

The role of Introduction to Evidence-Based Medicine (EBM) is to foster students' information literacy and develop an understanding of evidence-based medicine to leverage, create, use, and connect information to patient scenarios. The course is organized around the five elements of evidence-based medicine: ASK, ACQUIRE, APPRAISE, APPLY, ASSESS. Each of those components will be explored in-depth to increase the students' awareness, understanding, and skills. EBM is a semester-long course that encourages information literacy and evidence-based practice and enables student doctors to access, evaluate, and present medical information. Designated student assignments and clinical integration sessions introduce standards, resources, and strategies for understanding and presenting clinical cases.

The Medical Humanities course is centered on the exploration of humanistic pursuits in the biomedical sciences. Topics vary by year and include human subject research history and ethics, professional identity formation, illness narratives, or other related subjects. This course is grounded in a variety of literary and textual sources and involves small and large group discussion, collaboration, written analyses, service-learning, and critical reflection. Prerequisite: none.

This course is designed to introduce students to the foundational skills necessary to be a successful graduate student. This course will focus on a variety of techniques to increase student confidence and develop graduate level study skills, and professionalism. It will cover principles of learning strategies, problem solving, note-taking, test-taking, critical listening and thinking, self-assessment, goal setting, and time management.