Electives

This is an integrated, interdisciplinary course in which students learn to identify and describe the principal structural components and corresponding functions of the human nervous system. Emphasis is given to correlating underlying lesions involving these structures with neurologic deficits and dysfunctions likely to be encountered in clinical practice. Integrated lectures are given by faculty in the Departments of Anatomy and Physiology, and the Physician Assistant Program.

Credits: 4

The objective of this course is to equip the physician assistant with the knowledge needed to apply nutritional principles to preventive medicine and various common pathologies. Additional topics include clinical problem solving skills, statistics in clinical decision making, blood clotting, the role of nutrition in different anemias, diabetes mellitus, the hyperlipidemias, and factors affecting blood chemistries.

Credits: 3

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 Advanced Topic Series is an opportunity for students to receive individualized or small group instruction on selected advanced topics in any of the basic science disciplines. Format for instruction includes mentoring by individual faculty, case study discussion, review of landmark publications, and class presentations. Students are expected to master major concepts specific to the discipline selected. The mentoring faculty individualize evaluation of the student.

Credits: 1-3

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

Prerequisites

MICR 0583 Medical Microbiology

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 course presents core concepts and terminology in exercise physiology. Emphasis is placed on the immediate and long-term physiologic compensatory adjustments to exercise, the role of exercise in promoting optimal health, and the role of exercise as a diagnostic or therapeutic modality in disease states. This is a lecture-based course that utilizes problem-based written assignments to foster application of material.

Credits: 3

Prerequisites

PHYS 1510, 1511 Human Physiology I, II

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 course provides an overview of several areas of current interest in the field of medicinal chemistry. Also presented in-depth will be certain specialized topics that received limited coverage in the required medicinal chemistry courses. Approval of the course director is required prior to registration.

Credits: 1

The FDA is constantly engaged in evaluating new drug treatments and approving them for marketing in the US. Each year, the FDA approves about 20 new drug therapies. This course will discuss the process involved in the development of new drug therapies for some clinical conditions and diseases, cover some of the business aspects of developing new drug therapies, and the impact of pharmaceutical innovations on society and the business community.

Credits: 1