Phase 1

Course Description for Unit 1:   CELLS & GENETICS

Basic Sciences:  Students will learn the fundamentals regarding genes, chromosomes, genetics, proteins and enzymes, cell biology, membranes, cellular signaling, the relationship of cells to tissues and organs, and are introduced to microbiology and virology, therapeutic interventions, research methodology, and pathology.

Clinical Sciences:  Students will concentrate on biomedical ethics, diversity and health disparities and social determinants of health, cultural competency and cross-cultural medical care complementary and alternative medicine, environmental and global health, nutrition, personal and professional development and the development of professional identity and the doctor-patient relationship and models of care, gathering a medical history, patient interviewing, review of systems, and an introduction to medical care across the lifespan and gerontology.

Course Description for Unit 2: TISSUES AND METABOLISM

Basic Sciences:  Students will learn the fundamentals regarding energy metabolism (carbohydrate, lipids and proteins), iron metabolism, microcirculation and acid-base balance, enzymes, vitamins, diet and fed/starved states, embryology and human development, histology of epithelia/ muscle/ nerve/ blood and extracellular matrices and connective tissue, lymphatics, pharmacokinetics, anti-inflammatories, tissue/cell injury, oncogenes, tumors and cellular adaptation.

Clinical Sciences:  Students will concentrate on performing physical examinations (core and clusters) and taking vital signs, applied ethical issues, clinical reasoning, childhood development, social determinants of health and eating disorders.

Two-week electives are taken by all students in the fall (November) of year 1

Phase 1 Electives

Course Description for UNIT 3: IMMUNE SYSTEM, INFECTIOUS DISEASE & HEMATOLOGY

Basic Sciences:  Students will learn the fundamentals regarding the anatomy, histology, development, physiology, pathology, cell biology and relevant pharmacological therapies related to the immune system and hematology. In addition, students will study general microbiology, virology and parasitology, and applied gastrointestinal infections and immune responses, anti-thrombotic agents and antibiotics, antifungals, antimicrobials and antivirals.

Clinical Sciences:  Students will concentrate on bioethics, clinical management of pain, adolescent development, emergency medical systems and patient transport, subjective illness evaluation and socioeconomic status and health outcomes.

Course Description for UNIT 4:  MUSCULOSKELETAL, SKIN & BEHAVIORAL

Basic Sciences:  Students will learn the fundamentals regarding the anatomy, histology, organ development, physiology, pathology, cell biology and relevant pharmacological therapies related to the integument, osteology and smooth, cardiac and skeletal muscle.

Clinical Sciences:  Students will concentrate on the education and practice of the musculoskeletal exam (core and clusters), clinical reasoning, practice using Standardized Physical Exam Teaching Associates, dermatology instruction and laboratories, use of interpreters in medicine.

Course Description for UNIT 5:   NEUROLOGY

Basic Sciences:  Students will learn the fundamentals regarding the anatomy, histology, development, physiology, pathology, cell biology and relevant pharmacological therapies related to the nervous system including cellular components of the nervous system and their organization, the biophysics of neuronal activity and related signal transmission, sensory and motor pathways, cranial nerves and the special senses, the metabolism, micro- and macro-circulation of the central nervous system, coordination of movement, cognition and memory and cortical higher functions and autonomic control, psychiatry and behavioral health, pharmacotherapy and pathology relevant to all of the above.

Clinical Sciences: Students will concentrate on the neurologic core exam, the use of Standardized Physical Exam Teaching Associates for the neurologic core exam practice, a panel discussion of opioid use and abuse, simulation experience with Doctorate of Pharmacy students, clinical reasoning, neurologic clusters exam, adolescent and adult psychosocial development, medical care across the lifespan, pediatrics, geriatric care and discussions of elder abuse.

Two, four-week electives are taken at the end of year one (June), and beginning of year 2 (July).

Phase 1 Electives

Course Description for UNIT 6:  CARDIOVASCULAR & RESPIRATORY

Basic Sciences:  Students will learn the fundamentals regarding the anatomy, histology, organ development, physiology, pathology, cell biology and relevant pharmacological therapies related to air conduction and respiration, the cardiovascular system and autonomic control,

Clinical Sciences:  Students will concentrate on the cardiovascular core exam, clinical reasoning, use of Standardized Physical Exam Teaching Associates for cardiovascular core exam practice, cardiovascular cluster exams, simulation experience (thoracic) and inter-professional simulation activities with Nursing.

Course Description for UNIT 7:  GASTROINTESTINAL & URINARY

Basic Sciences:  Students will learn the fundamentals regarding the anatomy, histology, organ development, physiology, pathology, cell biology and relevant pharmacological therapies related to the gastro-intestinal system and abdominal region, the liver and biliary system, pancreas, renal system, lower urinary tract, relevant pharmacology and associated oncology and pathology.

Clinical Sciences:  Students will concentrate on continued inter-professional simulation activities, clinical reasoning, professional boundaries, ethical standards, review of systems from the perspective of organ systems, models of care, fluid and electrolyte needs, and radiology.

Course Description for UNIT 8:  ENDOCRINE & REPRODUCTIVE

Basic Sciences:  Students will learn the fundamentals regarding the anatomy, histology, organ development, physiology, pathology, cell biology and relevant pharmacological therapies related to the endocrine system, the male and female reproductive system and the breast, sexual development, pregnancy, parturition and lactation, andropause and menopause, relevant pharmacology and associated pathologies.

Clinical Sciences:  Students will concentrate on continued inter-professional simulation activities, clinical reasoning, communication skills, cultural competency and cross cultural medical care, obtaining an adult gynecologic history, male and female genitourinary examinations and breast exams, fundamental issues in the pregnant and non-pregnant female, Foley catheter insertion, human development, human sexuality, and preparation for Phase 2/Clerkships during Boot Camp.  The Clinical Skills Bootcamp serves as preparation for Phase 2. Skills learned during bootcamp include standard precautions for infectious diseases and biological hazards, surgical hand scrubbing, OSHA regulations, airway management, intravenous, intra-osseous line access and EpiPen use, management of the critically ill/dying patient, team management in executing a “Code Blue”, placement of a Foley catheter, electrocardiogram review and basic lifesaving certification.

• Longitudinal threads are linear sequences of related curriculum events that take place over more than one unit of instruction and address multiple of the program expected learning outcomes.
• Longitudinal thread content in Medicine and Society, Pharmacology and Therapeutics and Research Methods and Practices are integrated into all organ system-based units of instruction in Phase 1.

The Interprofessional Health Care Course is a 5-week course that is offered 4 times throughout Phase 1. Students spend one evening per week participating in the IPHC experience through active learning case-based and group discussions of objectives related to the health care team. Students from multiple professions are involved including medicine, nursing, occupational therapy, physical therapy, social work, communication sciences disorders, nutrition, counseling psychology and dietetics. This course is designed and managed by faculty from each profession.

Students will be assessed on knowledge, skills and behaviors multiple times each Unit. Assessment modalities may include, but are not limited to, multiple choice questions, essay-style questions and answers, laboratory exams, clinical skills assessment, behavioral observation, observation of small group participation and engagement, and standardized licensure-style exams. Promotion through the Units and the curriculum is dependent upon successful completion of all assessment activities.

In Units 5-8 comprehensive licensure-style exams will be administered. Students must receive a passing score on this exam prior to promotion to Phase 2.