West Virginia University (School of Medicine)

FIRST YEAR The first year of medical school was totally redesigned in 1998. Instead of having discipline based courses competing against each other on a semester basis, such as in college, the basic sciences appropriate to medicine are taught in modular blocks. COURSES : * Human Function : For medical students and selected graduate students with instructor consent. Integrated approach combining biochemistry, genetics, and physiology of the human body. Includes molecular, sub cellular, and cellular components of the body, organ systems, and whole body functions. Application of basic sciences to human health and disease. * Problem Based Learning : Weekly Problem Based Learning sessions are included throughout the year. This is not a separate course but included to be complementary to Human Function, Human Structure, and Neurobiology. The goals of the Problem Based Learning (PBL) sessions are to (1) introduce problem based small group experiences that integrate content from the courses in the Year 1 curriculum, (2) determine the temporal and content relationships between the courses and identify areas for integration, (3) decrease course content so that lecture time can be decreased leaving time for small group sessions, and (4) bringing faculty from different disciplines together to facilitate students learning and integration of the material. * Behavioral Science and Psychopathology : For medical students only. This course will introduce students to the bio-psychological, social, and spiritual dimensions of health care. Normal and abnormal development, ethical, legal, and spiritual aspects of health care will be explored in the context of health and health care decision making. * Physical Diagnosis/Clinical Integration 1 : For medical students only. This course will introduce the student to persons with health concerns. Students will begin development of skills of medical communication, data gathering, and physical examination techniques. * Human Structure : For medical and selected graduate students in the medical basic sciences with instructor consent. Integrated approach combining human gross anatomy, microanatomy and embryology. Includes human cadaver dissection, microscopic anatomy of cells, tissues and organs with application to human health and disease. * Neurobiology : Introduction to basic structure and function of the human nervous system with a focus on clinical application of basic information. The course emphasizes the normal neurobiology (at the cell and systems level) essential to understanding human behavior and to recognizing abnormality seen in clinical practice. SECOND YEAR Beginning in the 1999-2000 academic year students began the new second year curriculum which was an extension of the curricular changes made in the new first year. A highlight of the current second year curriculum is that students begin learning the skills of a physician in the Physical Diagnosis and Clinical Integration (PDCI) course by working with preceptors through practicing these skills on each other and volunteer patients. During the second semester there is an 8-week course in Medical Ethics as well. COURSES : * Immunity, Infection, and Disease : An integrated approach to the study of infectious disease in humans, with focus on innate and acquired immunity, mechanism of pathogenesis of infectious microorganisms, transmission, and treatment. * Physical Diagnosis and Clinical Integration : Medical students only. This course will introduce clinical medicine topics, organized by organ system as well as emphasize history and physical exam skills. Students will begin to use clinical reasoning techniques, integrating basic science and clinical knowledge. * Epidemiology and Biostatistics : For medical students or with permission of instructor. An introduction to epidemiology and biostatistics including causal inference, study design, use of common statistical tests, and interpretation of epidemiological studies with attention to chance, bias, and confounding. * Mechanisms of Human Disease : For medical and selected graduate students in the medical sciences, with instructor consent). 12 credit hours. Integrated study of disease using structure-function relationships. Includes participation in pathology departmental activities (postmortem exams and other diagnostic procedures), student presentations of clinical materials, case study discussions, and lectures. * Health Care Ethics : For medical students or with permission of instructor. Clinical cases highlighting the main issues for each session will be provided so that students will learn how to identify, analyze, and resolve the diverse ethical dilemmas in patient care. * Medical Pharmacology : For medical and selected graduate students in the medical sciences, with instructor consent.) 7 credit hours. Basic principles of drug action, mechanisms of therapeutic effects and undesirable effects. Emphasis on the classes of drugs currently used in medical practice. * Health of the Public : For medical students or with permission of instructor. An introduction to public health including occupational health, the US health care system, administrative aspects of health care, preventive medicine, social influences on health and international health. THIRD YEAR Students must spend a designated period of time in each of the major clinical disciplines. The order in which the students take the clerkships is determined for each individual student. A number of third year students are selected to spend the third and fourth years at the Charleston Division of the Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center of West Virginia University, or at the Eastern Panhandle Division headquartered in Martinsburg, WV. COURSES : * Internal Medicine * Surgery * OB/GYN * Pediatrics * Psychiatry / Neurology * Family Medicine FOURTH YEAR The fourth year is 10.5 months/rotations long and is partially structured and partially elective. Each student works with a faculty adviser to select the program best suited to the individual's abilities and goals. The courses selected are subject to the approval of the Curriculum Committee and an Associate Dean in the Office of Student Services. Five months of the fourth year are committed to required rotations. The remainder of the fourth year is elective. Five months of the fourth year must be spent at clinical sites on the campuses at Charleston, Martinsburg, or Morgantown, or at approved teaching sites in West Virginia. COURSES : * Subinternship * Critical Care * Surgical Subspecialties * RHEP / Rural Health * Electives

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School name: West Virginia University (School of Medicine)
Address: Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center P.O. Box 9100
Zip & city: WV 26506-9100 Morgantown
Phone: 304-293-6607
Web: http://www.hsc.wvu.edu/som

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