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Second Year Curriculum Through the Class of 2016

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 interdisciplinary course presents the biological basis of disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, liver, biliary tree and pancreas. It includes anatomic, genetic, pathologic, microbiologic and immunologic aspects, and illustrates pathophysiologic and clinical features of digestive disease. The indications and mechanisms of action of chemotherapeutic approaches for both infectious and non-infectious conditions are highlighted.

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 and disorders of the respiratory system, including the lungs, chest wall, upper airways, and CNS control pathways. The content includes major/representative chest diseases, pathogenetic mechanisms, applied physiology, pathology, microbiology, diagnostic tests, pharmacology, and epidemiology.  Pertinent illustrations from the fields of public health, environmental medicine, and disease prevention are presented. The block consists of lectures and practical laboratory sessions (clinical and basic science faculty), with case-based learning used to reinforce some core concepts and provide experience in clinical assessment and reasoning.

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 introduction to clinical assessment and pathophysiology of central and peripheral nervous system disorders (including disorders relevant to neurology, psychiatry, otology, ophthalmology, and anesthesiology), which covers neuropathology, microbiology of nervous system diseases, neuro and psychopharmacology, pharmacology of anesthetics, and pain management.  Additionally, forensic pathology and toxicology 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.

Second year students are required to take USMLE Step 1by June 30 and earn a passing score to continue in the third year.