Premedical Program
Course Descriptions

Foundation Biology I/Foundation Biology II
BIOL 220/BIOL 221
Foundation Biology I and II can be taken in any order, and are designed specifically for students in the preprofessional programs. These courses aim to explain the role of macromolecules in the organization of cells, the compartmentalization of metabolic reactions, and the role of the cell cycle with regards to inheritance.

Genetics
BIOL 320
This course is designed to introduce undergraduate students in the preprofessional programs to the principles of classical, molecular, and population genetics. It will summarize one of the most dynamic and productive areas of modern biology by providing a historical background of our knowledge of heredity and a review of advances in our knowledge of gene structure and function. Students are expected to develop problem-solving skills in the course of their study. Testing will emphasize the use of problem-based questions in which students must apply principles learned in lecture to novel situations. The application of genetic principles to medicine (human and veterinary) will be emphasized throughout the course.

Molecular Biology/Molecular Biology Lab
BIOL 321/BIOL 331
This course is designed to help students to develop an understanding of the molecular mechanisms that biological organisms use to store and preserve genetic information, the means by which they use that information to create functional biological structures, and the techniques that are commonly used to manipulate and study these processes in the laboratory. A basic understanding of chemistry, biology, and biochemistry will be assumed. The goal of the accompanying laboratory sessions is to help students to develop an understanding of the study of molecular biology in the laboratory; develop an understanding of the technical limitations and potential errors that can be encountered in the laboratory; develop an understanding of the scientific method and the source of the facts studied in lecture; and develop the ability to interpret, organize, and present scientific information.

Microbiology
BIOL 401
This course attempts to provide a general introduction into the microbial world with information on microbial physiology, growth and its control, nutrition, interactions within various ecosystems, biotechnology, and industrial aspects.

Physiology
BIOL 441
This course is designed to provide a fundamental basis for understanding mammalian physiology, especially human physiology.

Human Anatomy
BIOL 460
Students will learn the anatomical position, terms, planes, and regions pertaining to the human body.

General Chemistry I/General Chemistry I Lab
CHEM 122/CHEM 123
General Chemistry I is a one-semester course for science-related majors and students in the premedical program. The course will introduce basic concepts in physical and inorganic chemistry.

General Chemistry II/General Chemistry II Lab
CHEM 124/CHEM 125
This is a course in kinetics, equilibrium, acid-base, thermodynamics, electrochemistry, metallurgy, nonmetals, nuclear chemistry, transition elements, and organic chemistry.

Organic Chemistry I/Organic Chemistry I Lab
CHEM 222/CHEM 223
This is a course in nomenclature and classification of organic molecules, in addition to the structure and reactivity of functional groups (hydrocarbons, alcohols, alkyl halides, alkadienes, and allylic systems).

Organic Chemistry II/Organic Chemistry II Lab
CHEM 224/CHEM 225
An advanced course in the structure and reactivity of functional groups (aromatic compounds, carbonyl compounds, carbohydrates, organometallic compounds, carboxylic acids and their derivatives, amines, and amino acids). This course covers all the essential material needed for biochemistry.

Biochemistry
CHEM 450
This course describes the structures and functions of key biological molecules (proteins, lipids, nucleic acids, and carbohydrates). It explains how the energy required by living organisms is obtained and describes how key macromolecules are synthesized and degraded.

Community Health
COMH 201
Health is more than a personal matter. People do not live in isolation, unaffected by others; their health is very much determined by the world they live in and the dynamic relationship that they experience with their community. The goal of the Community Health course is to provide an understanding of population based health as opposed to individual health.

Introduction to College Reading/Writing
ENGL 104/ENGL 106
This course involves the study and practice of reading comprehension through structure, meaning, and evaluation.

Public Speaking
ENGL 204
There are many occasions in professional and private life that call for individuals to speak in public. This course is designed to introduce students to the fundamentals of public speaking. It will consider the importance of communication and cover speech building (including the collection and collation of material, structure, and content), speechwriting, and event management.

Advanced College Writing
ENGL 305
Advanced College Writing covers the instruction and practice in expository writing and vocabulary expansion. This course is useful for teachers, professionals, and anyone who wishes to improve their general communication skills.

Critical Reading Review
ENGL 306
This course places an emphasis on the critical reading of expository prose and vocabulary expansion; improvement in reading rate and comprehension is the ultimate goal.

First Aid Responder
GENL 101
There are 72 subjects in the First Aid Responder course. Among these subjects are artificial respiration with indirect methods, choking, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, wounds and bleeding, shock, fractures, head and spinal injuries, chest injuries, eye injuries, burns, poisoning, emergency childbirth, and environmental illness and injuries.

Mathematics for Critical Thinking
MATH 130
An introduction to mathematical modeling, overcoming quantitative illiteracy, and the development of mathematical competency are the main features of this course. Mathematics for Critical Thinking is neatly tailored to fit the needs of students who are not mathematics majors, but are taking mathematics for liberal arts purposes. The course seeks to develop and enhance problem-solving capabilities and enable students to apply simple mathematical models as a means of solving real world problems, as well as to become more competent mathematically through the exercise of logic.

Statistics
MATH 220
Statistics is designed to assist students in acquiring a good intuitive grasp of statistics, specifically in terms of what it is, how and when to apply various statistical techniques, how to interpret results, and how to draw meaningful conclusions from the data.

General Physics I
PHYS 201
This course consists of linear kinematics, works, power, energy, momentum, a brief introduction to heat, thermodynamics, and sound. This course does not require mastery of calculus and is designed to help students understand the basic principles of mechanics, heat, and sound.

General Physics II
PHYS 202
This course is an introduction to basic principles of electricity, magnetism, electromagnetism, alternating current, electric fields, and optics. This course does not require mastery of calculus.

Learning Strategies for Preprofessionals
PMED 301
This is a skills development course through which students in the preprofessional programs will find creative and constructive ways to gain and apply knowledge in learning situations. Students will develop a commitment to learning in a more personalized, efficient, and effective way. Significant attention will be given to study strategies and how to best place these strategies into practice in their course of study. Class sessions will provide opportunities for students to gain exposure to various learning strategies and for students to share their experiences, successes, and concerns with other students. Students will gain exposure to various learning techniques. Students will be exposed to levels of learning, types of studying, time management and planning, active review, memory, note-taking strategies, group study, and methods of developing critical-thinking skills.

Clinical Cases
PMED 380
This course is designed to introduce students in the final year of the premedical program to clinical medicine. It provides an insight into the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and values individual students need to acquire as physicians, as well as an understanding of how material currently taught in physiology lectures applies to clinical medicine.

Premedical Project Research
PMED 390
This course is offered in the final year of the premedical program. It is a requirement for students in the School of Medicine combined degree program (Baccalaureate/MD). A focal point of the class is to equip students with the skills needed to assess, understand, and critically evaluate published medical research. The course begins by reviewing standard research design and common pitfalls. It then covers other relevant topics, such as methodology, ethics, online research resources, survey design, and basic data interpretation. Students work together in small groups to produce a research paper and present a poster to the campus community.

Introduction to Psychology
PSYC 201
Introduction to Psychology covers systematic and experimental approaches to understanding human behavior and cognition. The course is an in-depth introduction to the science and profession of psychology. It will present what is known about human nature, how it reveals general principles of the functioning of the brain, and the behavior of individuals and groups.

Abnormal Psychology
PSYC 302
The course examines the etiology, epidemiology, description/classification, and treatment of disordered behavior. Major mental disorders are systematically examined from several different theoretical viewpoints, including psychodynamic, learning, cognitive, physiological, and humanistic/existential. A survey of psychological disorders is provided and students are introduced to the DSM-IV classification system. Treatment approaches based upon the major theoretical perspectives are covered and empirically based treatment outcome studies are reviewed. The course includes a visit to the local inpatient mental health facility.

Social Science and Medicine
SSCI 412
This course examines several aspects of medicine. First, it examines how the health care system is a social institution with norms and belief systems that may differ in other cultures. Second, the doctor-patient relationship is examined and the concepts of doctor communication, patient adherence, and compliance, in addition to types of health care delivery, are highlighted. Third, behavior and how it affects patient health is examined. Specifically, the course discusses stress, personality, drug use, alcohol, smoking, diet, and pain management as important factors contributing to a person’s health. As fewer people die from infectious diseases and more people die from diseases (such as cancer) that may be prevented through a healthy lifestyle, understanding patients’ lifestyles outside of the hospital is imperative. Overall, the course discusses health and illness within the biopsychosocial model that is replacing the biomedical model in medicine.