MBS-Doylestown course descriptions
Course descriptions
Biochemistry (4)
This course has been designed to emphasize the key principles related to metabolic biochemistry. It lays the foundation for potential further study of human biochemistry or other related fields.
Cell Biology (4)
This course will emphasize the basics of cell structure and function, modern investigative techniques used in the cell biology laboratory and exposure to the practical application of cell biology concepts under normal physiological conditions and disease states.
Human Genetics (4)
This course introduces students to classical and molecular genetics. The emphasis is on inherited human disorders and the emerging model of the human genome. Major topics include Mendelian genetics, cytogenetics, multifactorial inheritance, developmental genetics, epigenetics, RNA biology, cancer genetics and genomics.
Physiology (4)
This course will introduce students to the physiological aspects of the human body by using a systems-based approach. The course emphasizes broad concepts that form the basic understanding of human physiology and the physiology of each organ system.
Professionalism and Professional Identity Formation for Healthcare Careers (2)
This course is designed to assist students in developing their professional skills and to engage them in postgraduate career planning. The course will focus on professional identity formation, career planning, interpersonal skill development, and reflection and self-directed lifelong learning.
Epidemiology and Biostatistics (3)
This course provides a broad introduction to the principles and methods of epidemiology and the basics of biostatistics, with particular emphasis on the role of these core disciplines in public health practice and research. In this course, students learn about the basic epidemiological and biostatistical concepts and tools applied in public health practice and population-based research. Students gain the knowledge required to appropriately interpret epidemiological and statistical data, to determine appropriate study design and methods for epidemiological and clinical studies, and to critically review the clinical and public health research literature. The influence of socio-demographic characteristics and lifestyle factors on disease risk and mortality are also discussed.
Histology Foundations (2)
This course is designed to introduce students to basic histology. After a brief introduction to cellular structure at the light and electron microscopic level, the course will survey the four basic tissues: epithelium, connective tissue, muscle and nerve.
Histology Organ Systems (2)
This course involves class instruction, team learning and assessment that are designed to introduce students to the histology of organ systems. Using information learned in Histology Foundations, the students learn to recognize many different organs based on their morphology, and learn some basic concepts regarding disease clinical correlates of these organs.
Immunology (3)
This course is intended to provide a fundamental knowledge of the role of the immune response in human health and disease. The tissues, cells, and molecules that comprise the immune system will be examined and the principles of the immune response in the context of microbial infection and immunopathogenesis will be studied. Both immunologic and microbial features that influence host-microbe interactions and outcomes of infection will be highlighted. Students will also apply basic immunological principles to develop an understanding of various diseases such as autoimmunity and cancer and the immunotherapeutic approaches used to treat such diseases.
Neuroscience II (3)
This course will introduce fundamental neurobiological principles to students so that they will have a basic understanding of how the human nervous system operates in health and how the brain functions can alter under pathological conditions. The course will emphasize basic cellular aspects of neuroscience, architectural design of the nervous system, the CNS sensory system, CNS disorders, and motor systems.
Pharmacology (3)
Prerequisites: Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Physiology, Genetics
This course will introduce students to medical pharmacology. The emphasis will be on the big picture of drugs in general, and to prepare students for future success in modern medicine, research, industry, or matriculation to health science programs. The course also will introduce sources of drug information, concepts in drug development, and pharmacogenomics.
Seminars in Biomedical Sciences (2)
This course develops students’ ability to critically read, evaluate and analyze primary research literature in basic and clinical sciences. The course allows for team work, peer-to-peer teaching, and acquisition of skills for scientific research presentations.
Community Health Research (4)
This course consists of a one-credit course for each of the four terms. The class meets once a month for three hours. The course emphasizes literature review, research proposal writing, survey design, research ethics, data management and analysis, community engaged research, qualitative research, field investigation, and presentation skills. It is designed to give the students an opportunity to research a single topic in depth through secondary analysis of data and to relate that topic to healthcare and its effect on the community.