Students have the opportunity to develop initial physical diagnostic skills in a series of workshops, which correlate surface anatomy with internal structures and normal thoracic, abdominal and ENT exams. These two subjects are taught by a diverse group of faculty from seven MCO departments. The correlation of these topics give students the neuroanatomical and physiological foundation needed for a better understanding of the appropriate behavioral disorders. This block in Year II includes integrated topics from Immunology, Bacteriology, Virology, Mycology, Parasitology and Molecular Basis of Infectious Diseases. The material is taught using a combination of lectures, small group discussions, case study presentations and individual learning activities.
Students experience routine microbiology laboratories.
This is the largest block in the second year of the curriculum. Topics are organized as nine organ system units. Within each unit, there is a consideration of the relevant physiology, pharmacology and pathology for that system. Students receive cases which are closely linked to the subject matter. Students spend about one week working independently on the cases, determining the salient features and developing hypotheses pertaining to the mechanisms underlying the selected disease processes.