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Curriculum | Goals | 1st Year | 2nd Year | 3rd & 4th Years | Clinical Neurosciences

Second Year Curriculum

Block 1. Immunity, Inflammation & Infection

This block deals primarily with the scientific basis of infectious disease, including fundamental aspects of medical microbiology, human immunology, pharmacology of anti-microbial drugs, pathology of inflammation, and epidemiologic and public health issues relating to communicable disease. The block forms the basis for coverage of specific infections during the organ-system blocks occurring during the rest of the second year. Also covered are the pathology and pathophysiology of rheumatic diseases, diseases of the skin and musculoskeletal system, and the fundamental principles of drug therapy and of cellular pathology, which are the foundations of the pharmacology and pathology coverage throughout the year. Special emphases include immunopathology and AIDS.

Block 2. Hematology/Neoplasia

This block addresses abnormal hematology and the pathophysiology of neoplasias.

Block 3. Gastrointestinal System

This block introduces second year medical students to the fundamental principles of GI medicine. It includes anatomic, pathologic, microbiologic, pharmacolgic and clinical aspects of digestive disease.

Block 4. Cardiovascular System

This block covers both the pharmacology of the autonomic nervous system and the mechanisms of cardiovascular disease. Students are introduced to the pathology and pathophysiology underlying several cardiovascular conditions and their associated pharmacological treatments.

Block 5. Respiratory System

This block covers diseases of the respiratory system. The content includes pathology, microbiology, pharmacology and pathophysiology. Also, issues in epidemiology, public health and preventive medicine are presented. Case-based learning will be used for some material.

Block 6. Endocrine & Reproductive Systems

The block covers disease processes involving these organ systems. The topics are taught through a multidisciplinary approach with the participation of pathologists, clinicians and pharmacologists. The pathology, pathophysiology, clinical manifestations and pharmacologic therapy of these diseased states are discussed. Specific women's health issues as well as fetal and neonatal diseases and infections will be addressed in the Reproductive portion. The block consists of a series of lectures and laboratories with sexually transmitted diseases taught through a case-based learning approach.

Block 7. Urinary System

The goal of the second year urinary system block is to enable students to learn principles for regulation of fluid and electrolytes and principles of disease processes of the kidney and the urinary tract, so that they can better understand pathological conditions that involve this organ system and disorders of fluids and electrolytes.

Block 8. Nervous System & Psychopathology

This second year block further aims to prepare the students for the clinical rotations by means of lectures, case-based learning, laboratories and clinical preceptorships. The subjects covered in these learning sessions include neuropathology, microbiology of the nervous system, psychopathology, neuro and psychopharmacology, and preparation for clinical neurology. Additionally, clinical and forensic pathology are taught in this section.

Essentials of Clinical Medicine II

The second year of the Essentials of Clinical Medicine is designed to help students acquire the knowledge, skills and attitudes to master seven competencies important to every physician. These competencies are:

  1. prevention & screening,
  2. medical history taking,
  3. physical diagnosis,
  4. health partnership with patients,
  5. the healthcare team,
  6. the healthcare system, and
  7. using the literature.

The Essentials of Clinical Medicine II is arranged in two parts:

  • Part I: Comprehensive Care Case Studies, a component based on five cases each of which offers exploration of several of these clinical competencies, and
  • Part II: Preparation for Clinical Medicine (PCM) Interviewing and Physical Exam, a series of sessions designed to help students develop history and physical diagnosis skills.

    Curriculum | Goals | 1st Year | 2nd Year | 3rd & 4th Years | Clinical Neurosciences