Electives

This module presents the student with current concepts relating diet to the incidence, etiology, pathogenesis, and prevention of three chronic diseases (cardiovascular disease, cancer, and osteoporosis).

Credits: 1

The purpose of this course is to give students hands-on experience in a basic science research laboratory. Students will participate in an ongoing project in the laboratory of a research mentor where they will learn various research techniques and methodologies.

Credits: 2

Prerequisites

BISC 0512 Fundamentals of Research and approval of the course director.

The course is 20 hours of didactic lecture, but Web-based and video presentation is also used. Discussion sessions highlight the potential use of biological and chemical agents as agents of terrorism, when to suspect their use, signs and symptoms of each agent, the standard medical response to biological and chemical terrorism, and the factors involved in planning for and protecting against a biological and chemical weapons attack. In addition, historical and hypothetical case scenarios are also presented.

Credits: 2

The elective provides medical, pharmacy, physician assistant and biomedical sciences students with the Spanish vocabulary necessary to understand and converse in the fields of medicine and healthcare. The course has been designed to enhance communicating with the Latino patient as well as understanding cultural attitudes, which may impact medical care. Listening, comprehension, and conversational skills will be stressed through dialogues and oral presentations. Critical learning skills that students are encouraged to develop are cooperative learning and effective group dynamics.

Credits: 2

Prerequisites

Two years of high school Spanish or college Spanish

This elective focuses on how the environment serves as a source for the development of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs), and what can happen to the environment in the presence of PPCPs. Lectures focus on how PPCPs are introduced into the environment, mechanisms available to limit this type of pollution, actual and potential cause/effect relationships between specific products/byproducts and types of wildlife, and actual and potential cause/effect relationships between specific products/byproducts and humans (e.g. reproductive effects). While the environment is currently serving as a dumping ground for a variety of PPCPs, it's also serves as a source of potential leads for novel PPCPs. Specific examples will be presented along with any relevant folklore.

Credits: 1

This module provides an overview of the mechanisms of action, therapeutic uses of fat- and water-soluble vitamins, antioxidants, macro- and micro-minerals, and enteral nutritional support products. Topics include the use of anti-oxidants, multi-vitamin choices, potential toxicity and drug interactions, and nutritional support/supplement selection for infants and adults. The mechanism-based approach used in this module allows the student to more easily identify, organize and recommend various therapeutic agents to a wide variety of patients.

Credits: 2