Premedical Sciences Course Descriptions

The MD Curriculum

Foundation Biology I/II
BIOL 220/BIOL 221
Foundation Biology I and II can be taken in any order and are designed specifically for students in the pre-professional programs. These courses aim to explain the role of macromolecules in the organization of cells and the compartmentalization of metabolic reactions, and the role of the cell cycle with regards to inheritance.

General Chemistry I
CHEM 122
A one-semester course in general chemistry for science related majors and pre-med students. The course will introduce basic concepts in physical and inorganic chemistry.

General Chemistry II
CHEM 124
A course in kinetics, equilibrium, acid-base, thermodynamics, electrochemistry, metallurgy, non-metals, nuclear chemistry, transition elements and organic chemistry.

Introduction to Psychology
PSYC 201
Introductory Psychology covers systematic and experimental approaches to understanding human behavior and cognition. The course is an in-depth introduction to the science and profession of psychology as it will present what is known about human nature and how it reveals general principles of the functioning of the brain, individuals and groups.

Introduction to College Reading
ENGL 106
Study and practice of reading comprehension through structure, meaning and evaluation.

Mathematics for Critical Thinking
MATH 130
An introduction to mathematical modeling, overcoming quantitative illiteracy and the development of mathematical competency are the main features of this course. Critical Thinking is neatly tailored to fit the needs of students who are not mathematics majors, but are taking mathematics for liberal arts purposes. The course seeks to: develop and enhance problem-solving capabilities; enable students to apply simple mathematical models as a means of solving real-world problems; and become more competent mathematically through the exercise of logic, the application of mathematical concepts and problem solving skills.

General Physics I
PHYS 201
This course consists basically of linear kinematics, works power and energy, momentum and a brief introduction to heat, thermodynamics and sound. This course is designed for students to understand the basic principles of mechanics, heat and sound. General Physics I does not require the mastery of calculus.

General Physics II
PHYS 202
This course is an introduction to basic principles of electricity, magnetism, electromagnetism, alternating current, electric fields, optics. This course does not require the mastery of calculus. 

Organic Chemistry I
CHEM 222
A course in nomenclature and classification of organic molecules, structure and reactivity of functional groups (hydrocarbons, alcohols, alkyl halides, alkadienes and allylic systems).

Organic Chemistry II
CHEM 224
An advanced course in structure and reactivity of functional groups (aromatic compounds, carbonyl compounds, carbohydrates, organometallic compounds, carboxylic acids and their derivatives, amines and amino acids). This course covers all the essentials needed for biochemistry.

Public Speaking
ENGL 204
There are many occasions in professional and private life that call for one to speak in public. This course is designed to introduce students to the fundamentals of public speaking. It will consider the importance of communication, and cover speech building (including the collection and collation of material, structure and content), speech writing and event management.

Review of English and Study Skills
ENGL 304
This course is designed to assist students in improving their proficiency in English. Attention is given to vocabulary, mechanics, oral expression, and study skills.

First Aid Responder
GENL 101
There are 72 subjects in the First Aid course. Among these subjects are artificial respiration with indirect methods, choking, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, wounds and bleeding, shock, fractures, head and spinal injuries, chest injuries, eye injuries, burn, poisoning, emergency childbirth and environmental illness and injuries.

Community Health
COMH 201
Health is more than a mere personal matter. People do not live in isolation, unaffected by others: their health is very much determined by the world they live in and the dynamic relationship that they experience with their community. The goal of the Community Health course is to provide an understanding of population-based, as contrasted with individual-based health.

Statistics
MATH 220
Introductory statistics is designed to assist the student in acquiring a good intuitive grasp of statistics, specifically in terms of what it is, how and when to apply various statistical techniques, how to interpret the results and draw meaningful conclusions from the data.

Genetics
BIOL 320
This course is designed to introduce undergraduate students in the pre-professional programs to the principles of classical, molecular and population genetics. It will summarize one of the most dynamic and productive areas of modern biology by providing an historical background of our knowledge of heredity and a review of advances in our knowledge of gene structure and function. Students are expected to develop problem-solving skills in the course of their study. Testing will emphasize the use of problem-based questions in which students must apply principles learned in lecture to novel situations. The application of genetic principles to medicine (human and veterinary) will be emphasized throughout the course.

Microbiology
BIOL 401
This course attempts to provide a general introduction into the microbial world, with information on microbial physiology, growth and its control, nutrition, interactions within various ecosystems, biotechnology, and industrial aspects.

Molecular Biology
BIOL 321
This course is designed to help the student to develop an understanding of (1) the molecular mechanisms that biological organisms use to store and preserve genetic information, (2) the means by which they use that information to create functional biological structures, and (3) the techniques that are commonly used to manipulate and study these processes in the laboratory. A basic understanding of chemistry, biology, and biochemistry will be assumed. The goal of the accompanying laboratory sessions is to help the student to: (1) develop an understanding of the study molecular biology in the laboratory, (2) develop an understanding of the technical limitations and potential errors that can be encountered in the laboratory, (3) develop an understanding of the scientific method and the source of the facts studied in lecture, and (4) develop the ability to interpret, organize, and present scientific information.

Physiology
BIOL 441
This course is designed to provide a fundamental basis for understanding mammalian physiology, especially human physiology.

Human Anatomy
BIOL 460
Students will learn the Anatomical position; Anatomical terms; Anatomical planes; Anatomical regions pertaining to the human body.

Abnormal Psychology
PSYC 302
The course examines the etiology, epidemiology, description/classification, and treatment of disordered behavior. Major mental disorders are systematically examined from several different theoretical viewpoints, including psychodynamic, learning, cognitive, physiological, and humanistic/existential. A survey of psychological disorders is provided, and the student is introduced to the DSM-IV classification system. Treatment approaches based upon the major theoretical perspectives are covered, and empirically based treatment outcomes studies are reviewed. The course includes a visit to the local inpatient mental health facility.

Biochemistry
CHEM 450
This course describes the structures and functions of key biological molecules (proteins, lipids, nucleic acids and carbohydrates). It explains how the energy required by living organisms is obtained and describes how key macromolecules are synthesized and degraded.

Advanced College Writing
ENGL 305
Instruction and practice in expository writing and vocabulary expansion. Useful for teachers, professionals, and anyone who wishes to improve general communication skills.

Critical Reading Review
ENGL 306
Emphasis on critical reading of expository prose and vocabulary expansion. Improvement in reading rate and comprehension is the ultimate goal.

Clinical Cases
PMED 380
This course is designed to introduce final year premedical students to Clinical Medicine. It provides an insight into the knowledge, skills, attitudes and values they need to acquire as Physicians and an understanding of how material currently taught in Physiology lectures applies to Clinical Medicine.

Premedical Project Research
PMED 390
This course is offered in the final year of the Pre-Medical Program. It is also a requirement for students in the SOM Combined (Baccalaureate/MD) Degree Program. A focus of the class is to equip students with the skills needed to access, understand, and critically evaluate published medical research. The course begins by reviewing standard research design and common pitfalls in research. It then covers other relevant topics such as methodology, ethics regarding research on human subjects, on-line research resources, survey design, and basic data interpretation. Students work together in small groups to produce a research paper and present a poster to the campus community.

Social Science and Medicine
SSCI 412
This course examines several aspects of medicine. First, it examines how the health care system is a social institution with norms and beliefs systems that may differ in other countries. Second, the doctor-patient relationship is examined, and the concepts of doctor communication, patient adherence and compliance, and types of health care delivery are highlighted. Third, patients’ own behavior and how it affects their health is examined. Specifically, the course discusses stress, personality, drug sue, alcohol, smoking, diet, and pain management as important factors contributing to a person’s health. As fewer people die from infectious diseases and more people die from diseases like cancer that may be prevented through a healthy lifestyle, understanding patients’ lifestyle outside of the hospital is imperative. Overall, the course discusses health and illness within a bio-psychosocial model that is replacing the biomedical model in medicine.

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