First Year Courses

• PBL 610 Step 1: The Molecular Basis of Medicine (6 cr.) This step deals with the basic principles of biochemistry and molecular biology as they apply to medicine. Specifically, in this step, the student will gain a working knowledge of amino acids, proteins, enzymes, thermodynamics, digestion, and metabolism of carbohydrates, lipid, protein, and amino acids (both catabolic and anabolic pathways), metabolic control, lipoprotein metabolism and lipid transport, nitrogen waste disposal, heme metabolism, purine and pyrimidine metabolism, structure of nucleic acids, replication of DNA, synthesis of RNA and protein, genetic code and genetic control in eukaryotes, recombinant DNA technology, the biochemistry of vision, muscle and nerve metabolism, integration of metabolism, vitamins and nutrition, and hormone action. Offered by the Northwest Center only.

• PBL 620 Step 2: Human Structure (12 cr.) Human Structure is an intensive integrated step combining cell biology, histology, gross anatomy, embryology, and radiology that is designed to acquaint the medical student with the structures of the human body from gross to subcellular. A combination of small-group, case-based sessions, supervised laboratory periods, and selected general lectures are used to instruct the students in this step. The clinical cases are designed to stimulate student-directed learning and problem solving with materials gathered from pathology, surgery, and radiology. The laboratories will offer experience in viewing normal structures from gross dissections to electron micrographs. The emphasis of the step is on gathering a general understanding of the correlations of structure with function and on the views of the body possible with the various macroscopic and microscopic imaging techniques. Offered by the Northwest Center only.

• PBL 631 Step 3: Systemic Function (6 cr.) This step builds on the knowledge and problem-solving skills the medical students acquire in Steps 1 and 2. Step 3 is a comprehensive analysis of human physiology, organized around the main organ systems of the body. The themes developed over the six-week period explore physiological aspects of cellular phenomena, the autonomic nervous system, the cardiovascular system, the renal system, the respiratory system, the endocrine system, and the gastrointestinal system. Central to the step is a weekly analysis of medical problems. This serves to integrate physiological aspects of the organ systems with clinical problem solving and with material introduced in Steps 1 and 2. Scheduled key lectures are also used to complement the problem-based learning. Offered by the Northwest Center only.

• PBL 641 Step 4: Neural Control and Disease (6 cr.) The Neural Control step studies the structure and function of the nervous system. This multidisciplinary step integrates neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, and neurochemistry with a strong core element of introductory neurology. Emphasis is on directing students in the acquisition of clinically relevant information that can be successfully applied to the performance of the neurological examination and lesion localization. Problem-based learning sessions, laboratory exercises, and lectures emphasize basic structure and function of neurons, regional neuroanatomy, motor and sensory systems, special senses, hypothalamus and the autonomic nervous system, cerebral hemispheres and behavior, and introduction to the mechanisms and treatment of neurological disorders and diseases. Offered by the Northwest Center only.

• PBL 645 Step 5: Medications and Disease (6 cr.) An intensive and systematic study of the drugs used in diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of human diseases in a Problem-Based Learning (PBL) format. The core contents are given as comprehensive lectures that include classification of drugs, effects and mechanism of action, disposition, fate, toxicity, uses, drug interactions, and contraindications. Through the PBL tutorial sessions, the students engage in cases that involve a multidisciplinary approach and integration of pharmacological principles in treating diseases. Offered by the Northwest Center only.

• PBL 661 Doctor/Patient Relationship (4 cr.) Since the inception of the Northwest Center for Medical Education’s Regional Center Alternative Pathway, the curriculum has included a component called the Doctor/Patient Relationship. Doctor/Patient Relationship is designed to foster desired characteristics of the primary care physician. In this component, students develop skills to communicate effectively with patients and their families, to show empathy toward patients, and to appreciate patient differences in cultural values and socio-economic levels. Students are also exposed to a series of clinical experiences that illustrate the impact of illness on patients’ lives and what they expect from their physicians. Offered by the Northwest Center only.

Second Year Courses

• PBL 650 Step 6: Invasion and Defense (11 cr.) This interdisciplinary course deals with the nature of infectious agents and tumors and the host response to invasion and injury. Students learn the concepts of general pathology, immunology, microbiology, infectious diseases, and elements of pharmacology through discussion and problem solving of clinical cases and independent study. Offered by the Northwest Center only.

• PBL 662 Step 7: Pathophysiology and Advanced Problem Solving (28 cr.)

  A multidisciplinary course emphasizing etiology, pathophysiology, morphological changes, and evolution of lesions in an open system approach. Through clinical cases, sophomore medical students identify learning issues in problem-based learning sessions and in a few lectures; key concepts are introduced.

  This step is subdivided into three units:

  • First Unit (7 weeks): includes the in-depth study of cardiology, pulmonary medicine, nephrology, and obstetrics/gynecology.
  • Second Unit (7 weeks): introduces and discusses endocrinology, gastroenterology, pediatrics, and medical genetics extensively.
  • Third Unit (8 weeks): deals with neurology, hematology/oncology, psychiatry, rheumatology, and geriatrics.

  Also running concurrently in this step is the Specialty Diagnosis component of the Doctor/Patient Relationship. Students experience each specialty by spending afternoons at physicians’ offices or in hospital settings, observing physician-patient interactions through focused history taking and physical examination. Offered by the Northwest Center only.