The Genes to Society course is a 15-month course that extends from January of Year One to December of Year Two. This course presents an integrated understanding of human health and disease using the framework of physiologic systems. Several scientific disciplines, including biochemistry, cell biology, epidemiology, pathology and pharmacology are presented in each system. The course uses a combination of lecture, readings, small-group problem-solving, virtual microscopy, pathology laboratories and student-led workshops to achieve learning goals.

Course Goals

The two main course goals are to:

• Use the scientific foundations to understand the origins, manifestations, impact and treatment of disease or risk of disease; and
• Advance students’ professional identity by acquiring the language, problem-solving skills, inquisitiveness, leadership, compassion and teamwork needed in a physician.

Course Structure

The systems are organized into Scientific Foundations of Medicine Courses and Organ Systems Foundations of Medicine Courses.  

Year One

• Foundations in Histology and Pathobiology, Immunology, Macromolecules, Cell Physiology, Genetics, Metabolism, Pharmacology and Immunology
• Nervous System and Special Senses, Brain, Mind and Behavior, Neoplasia, Dermatology, Infectious Disease and Microbiology, Hematology, Renal, and Pulmonary

Year Two

• Cardiovascular, GI/Liver, Endocrine, Reproductive, Musculoskeletal

The course directors for the Scientific Foundations of Medicine Courses are Brendan Cormack, Ph.D. and Organ Systems Foundations of Medicine Courses are Rakhi Naik, M.D., M.H.S. and Arun Venkatesan, M.D., Ph.D. Each section has a section leader who plans the pedagogy for that section.

Contact

Pamela McCann, M.S.
Sr. Medical Training Program Administrator
Email: [email protected]

Grace Bryant, M.Ed.
Medical Training Program Administrator
Email: [email protected]

Time Commitment and Course Length

The course runs for 22 weeks.
Typical schedule for Genes to Society Course: Year Two: