Foundations of Anatomic and Molecular Medicine

Catalog description

The Foundations of Anatomic and Molecular Medicine course is a rigorous, multidisciplinary course designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the foundational biomedical sciences underlying human health. This course merges essential concepts from biochemistry, genetics, molecular biology, cell biology, microbiology, immunology, pharmacology, embryology, histology, anatomy and physiology to provide a cohesive framework for understanding normal human structure and function. Students will explore biological organization from molecular building blocks to complex physiological systems, with an emphasis on how these systems interact and respond to external influences. Key topics include genetic and developmental processes, tissue organization, physiological control mechanisms, and host defense responses. Foundational pharmacological principles such as pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics will also be introduced. A dedicated focus on the musculoskeletal system will provide an in-depth study of skeletal muscle, bone, joints, and peripheral nerves, integrating structural and functional perspectives. Instruction will be delivered through engaging lectures, interactive clinical applications, medical imaging, cadaver dissection, and peer instruction. This course equips students with the knowledge necessary to understand normal physiological function and lays the groundwork for recognizing and addressing disorders related to molecular, cellular, hematologic, and musculoskeletal health.