Scientific Foundations of Medicine

Course # GNTD7070C  |  8 Credit Hours
Fall Semester  |  Syllabus (PDF)
Class Meets: M–F 8:00 am– 12:00 pm
Course Directors:

Scientific Foundations of Medicine presents foundational concepts and principles in molecular physiology, human genetics, biochemistry, cell biology, and pharmacology underpinning modern medicine. The course describes bacteria, viruses, and parasites, and mechanisms of disease. The course is delivered via traditional lectures, virtual histology laboratory exercises, online histology modules, and class-inclusive learning sessions (CILS). The course covers the following specific topics: (1) cellular structure and organelles, including histology; (2) structure, replication and repair of DNA; (3) transcription, translation, and regulation of gene expression; (4) molecular and cellular techniques for diagnosis; (5) intermediary metabolism; (6) human genetics, including epigenetics and environmental factors; (7) signal transduction; (8) action potentials; (9) nutrition; (10) pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, and ADME (absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion) of active compounds; (11) treatment of infectious disease via drugs and vaccines; (12) molecular and cellular immunology, both innate and adaptive immunity; (13) early embryology; (14) bacteria, bacterial structure, viruses, and parasites; (15) cell injury and death; (16) tissue repair and stem cells; and (17) common mechanisms of disease, such as infectious, neoplastic and traumatic, including selected aspects of social determinants of health.