The Basic Science courses, semesters 1-4, take place at the University of Medicine and Health Sciences St. Kitts campus.
Our Basic Science Program faculty are highly credentialed and recruited primarily from the United States. They are focused on the success of each student.
A traditional medical school curriculum is taught that compares with U.S. medical schools. The curriculum utilizes problem-based learning, with an emphasis on clinical correlations. A thorough knowledge of the basic biomedical sciences is emphasized, and students are introduced to history taking, physical exam skills, and problem solving techniques.
A compelling differentiator at UMHS is the students’ access to a variety of clinical settings. Not only are students involved at community health centers, local hospitals, and with professional patients, UMHS offers its students a virtual hospital ward on the campus. Students will work with computerized human simulators in a 24 bed hospital ward setting to integrate their Basic Science Program in a clinically relevant manner.
During the Basic Science Program at UMHS, students take class examinations as well as shelf examinations. This is the same examination that is offered to U.S. medical students. Shelf examinations are, in essence, mini USMLE examinations as they use a similar type and style of questions. A rigorous testing program utilizing shelf examinations prepares students for successful first-time passage of the USMLE Step 1.
Laptop Computer: To maximize use of the technology capabilities on campus, students are required to bring a laptop computer with them. Students will use their laptop computers in histology and pathology classes to manipulate images rather than using a microscope. With a laptop computer, students have access to these images and other online resources at any time from home, class, the library or the Learning Resource Center.
Curriculum
Course Description
Semester I |
|
|
| MANT 0600 |
Anatomy I |
5 credits |
| Students participate in supervised laboratory sessions related to dissection of various parts of the human body. Anatomy I focuses on the gross structure of organs and function, and through clinical correlations relates each to clinical medicine. An Anatomical Learning Resource Center has been established incorporating computer based instruction, anatomical details and radiographic materials. Extensive use of models permits both individual and group instruction. A virtual dissection model emphasizes vessel and nerve interaction. |
| |
|
|
| MANT 0610 |
Physiology I |
5 credits |
| Physiology I concentrates on how the various organ systems comprise the human body function. The major objective of this course is to enable the student to acquire a sound understanding of the mechanisms upon which life depends through an integrated study of the body's many control systems. Emphasis is placed on the mechanisms that maintain a constancy of conditions in the body under a variety of stresses. The course begins with a study of basic physiological principles, such as the transport of ions, osmosis, membranes and their electrical properties. The somatic and visceral systems are discussed not only as single entities, but are also viewed for their contributions to the body's complete functions. This is followed by lectures on nerve and muscle physiology, and concludes with a study of the cardiovascular system. |
| |
|
|
| MANT 0620 |
Histology |
5 credits |
| Major topics of this course include biochemical structures and relations, cell structure, the mechanisms of gene expression, and cellular signaling cascades. The principles of metabolism are introduced. This course also provides a comprehensive review of human microscopic anatomy, and laboratory analysis using the microscope supplements the classroom presentations. While formal instruction of the human body's regional macroscopic and microscopic composition is presented, clinical applications are stressed. |
| |
|
|
| MBIO 0630 |
Biochemistry and Cell Biology |
5 credits |
| This course focuses on the major metabolic pathways and their malfunction in a variety of diseases. Throughout, emphasis is placed on a comparison of the normal state with the abnormal one. For this reason, whenever instructive, the core material is accompanied by pertinent clinical correlations that use common, classical conditions; clinical case studies are an important didactic tool in this course. |
|
back
|
Semester II |
| MANT 0700 |
Anatomy & Embryology II |
5 credits |
| In Anatomy II, there is extensive supervised dissection by groups of students of the entire human body. Utilizing faculty-directed pro-sections transmitted to each cadaver table utilizing state of the art audio visual equipment, students study the structure and function of all organs with some interaction with cellular structure. When this course is complete, each student will have extensive knowledge of the gross anatomy of the human body. Clinical correlations are utilized throughout the course. |
| |
|
|
| MPHY 0710 |
Physiology II |
5 credits |
| In Physiology II, students examine the gastrointestinal, endocrine, respiratory and renal systems. Most disease conditions of the body result from abnormal functioning of one or more of the basic control systems, and the application of this fundamental medical science depends on the future physician's knowledge of these regulatory mechanisms more than any aspect of this subject. After completing the course, students will have a clear understanding of how the major systems of the body operate in an integrated fashion necessary to maintain a homeostatic state. |
| |
|
|
| MBIO 0730 |
Biochemistry & Cell Biology II |
4 credits |
| |
| |
|
|
| MBIO 0720 |
Molecular Biology/Genetics |
5 credits |
| An understanding of the fundamental molecular process that define human development and homeostasis is a necessary foundation for all students of medical science; both basic of human genetics, protein structure, nucleic acid biochemistry, cellular structure and metabolism. Didactic lectures develop upon the themes presented in Cell Biology with exploration of the cell's nitrogen economy, details of the lipid metabolism and major concepts of nutrition. |
|
back
|
|
|
Semester III |
|
|
| MPAT 0800 |
Pathology I |
5 credits |
| Pathology introduces students to the cellular system of each organ and traces the morphological changes in a cell that are responsible for a disease in an organ. As cells undergo alteration, their change in function is studied in respect to its deviation from the "normal" state. Course presentation includes the response of cells, tissues and organs to disease and injury; the normal and adapted cell; degeneration and necrosis, inflammation, fluid and hemodynamic derangements; neoplasia; immunopathology; systemic, environmental and nutritional disease. Lecture discussions are supplemented by a study of gross and microscopic specimens. |
| |
|
|
| MNEU 0810 |
Neuroscience/ Neuroanatomy |
5 credits |
| Neuroscience begins with an overview of the entire nervous system. As the course progresses, the focus is on comprehending the basic structure and function of each level of the nervous system, integrating both the anatomy and physiology of the nervous system. The principles that underlie the anatomical structure of each system of the brain are correlated with its physiology; correlations between the functional deficits and the pathological anatomy in several neurological diseases which require working knowledge of anatomy and physiology are stressed. Special attention is given to integrating current understandings of human neurological and psychiatric diseases, and each topic is supplemented by relevant lab exercises which include detailed brain dissection and exposure to angiograms, CT scans, MRI, etc. |
| |
|
|
| MMCR 0820 |
Immunology / Microbiology |
5 credits |
| This course is the study of the etiologic agents and host resistance mechanisms of infectious disease, presented through didactics and laboratory exercises, including identification methods, classification systems and detailed case studies. Immunology/Microbiology is designed to help students gain a working knowledge of the immune system, the development of immune response. Medical microbiology highlights the aspects of microorganisms that are important to the causation of disease. Basic microbiology covers general structures, growth and genetics of bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites, and the antimicrobial antibiotics and chemotherapeutics agents. |
| |
|
|
| MBEH 0830 |
Behavioral Science |
5 credits |
| Behavioral Sciences stresses the complex relationship between psychological make-up and experience, by providing a knowledge base for normative and non-normative human development throughout the life cycle. The course also introduces the student to the behavioral basis of clinical medicine by focusing on common behavioral problems and the circumstances that evoke important behavioral / emotional responses. The concept of culturally competent care will be defined, and the basics of recognizing organic and functional psychological disturbances are described. Workshops on realistic clinical problems are an integral part of this course; sexual dysfunction, bereavement, suicide and sociological disorders received detailed attention. Additionally, the student should develop increased insight into personal functioning and feelings and develop the skills needed to act as an empathetic and effective interviewer and behavioral change agent. |
|
back
|
|
|
Semester IV |
|
|
| MPAT 0900 |
Pathology II (8 hrs) |
5 credits |
| Pathology II applies the basic concepts learned in Pathology I to continue the study of pathologic basis of disease using a physiologic system, or organ-based approach. This course covers red and white cell diseases, male and female genital tracts, and kidney and liver systems. Course presentations include etiology, pathogenesis and morphologic changes in diseases according to organ system. Appropriate use of the laboratory is stressed in the diagnosis of disease while case presentations further emphasize the clinical aspects of the pathologic processes. |
| |
|
|
| MPHM 0910 |
Pharmacology & Therapeutics |
5 credits |
| This course concentrates on how chemical agents (drugs) regulate or modify physiological functions of the body, demonstrating how interactions of drugs with living organisms contribute to diagnosis, prevention, treatment or cure of diseases. Biologic responses, physiological alterations and correction of disorder or disease are discussed for each drug class highlighting receptor interaction, which defines the agent's boundaries of efficacy. Because pharmacology and therapeutics is an integrated science, strong attempt is made to maintain this integrated approach in lectures, tutorials and case studies. Major emphasis will be on principles of pharmacogenetics (pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, adverse drug reactions, teratogenicity, etc.) as well as therapeutics of common drugs used in infectious disease, malignant diseases, and endocrinal disorders. |
| |
|
|
| MBEH 0920 |
Biostatistics & Epidemiology |
3 credits |
| The principles of biostatistics are introduced in this course, emphasizing both the practice of interviewing and collecting data. The epidemiology of disease and concepts of Public Health and Industrial Medicine are also covered in this course. Finally, the course will end with discussions of broad issues related to healthcare delivery, healthcare legislation and costs, and a comparative discussion of healthcare systems. |
| |
|
|
| MICM 0930 |
Introduction to Clinical Medicine |
5 credits |
| This course is designed to introduce students to the basic skills they will need to function as effective clinicians. History taken and physical examination skills are taught in practical classes using the latest technological media, including Laerdal patient stimulators (adult, pediatric and adolescent). The course addresses a range of clinical skills necessary for the future development as a physician, including clinical assessment and plan for the care of patients using library and computer search of evidence based information for patient care. Didactics are blended with laboratory date interpretation, radiology and other imaging techniques, and electrocardiography, introducing core medical information ready for the third and fourth years of clinical training. Critical emphasis is on the development of ethical standards, specialization, as well as education and licensing requirements in the various states. Class size is small-group to facilitate free discussion and pertinent technique demonstrations. |
| |
|
|
| MICM 0940 |
Medical Ethics |
2 credits |
| Medical Ethics is designed to introduce ethical, professional and legal issues that arise in the practice of medicine. This course provides an overview of the salient issues for students, tools used to recognize ethical, professional and legal conflicts in clinical settings, and resources to critically examine and address questions and concerns these conflicts present in patient care. |
|
back
|
|
|
Course listings, course numbers, and the schedule when taught may change without prior notice.
|
