Cellular and Pathologic Basis of Disease
MS-1

October 13, 2009 - November 14, 2009
30 half days

Course Director
Cynthia Lance-Jones, PhD
Associate Professor
Department of Neurobiology
clancej@pitt.edu

Course Director
Donald B. DeFranco, PhD
Professor
Department of Pharmacology
dod1@pitt.edu

Course Director
Larry Nichols, MD
Assistant Professor
Department of Pathology
nicholsla@upmc.edu

Course Description

This 5 week course focuses on structural and functional properties of cells and tissues in both normal and disease states. Basic principles in cell biology, histology and pathology are presented with basic biochemical and pharmacological principles discussed to illustrate molecular mechanisms of normal and abnormal cell function as well as strategies to use drugs to restore cellular function.

The goals of the course are:

1. to introduce students to core principles and the terminology of cell and tissue biology and pathology.
2. to introduce students to the biochemical and molecular basis of cell function.
3. to encourage students early in their medical school career to integrate basic science and clinical knowledge.
4. to enable students to assess normal and disease states at gross anatomical and histolological levels and understand the molecular and cellular basis of disease.
5. to introduce students to basic principles of pharmacology with a focus on the cellular and molecular mechanisms of drug action.

Faculty involved in this course have expertise in topics including cell biology, pharmacology, tissue development and repair, and pathology. The 46 faculty are from 10 departments: Cell Biology and Physiology, Emergency Medicine, Medicine (Divisions of Gastroenterology and Rheumatology, Renal-Electrolyte [Division Chief]), Neurobiology, Orthopaedic Surgery, Otolaryngology, Pathology, Pediatrics (Department Chair), Pharmacology, and Surgery.

Educational Methods

Sessions are designed to illustrate the relationships between basic science concepts, tissue/cellular response to injury or disease, clinical practice, and future progress in therapeutics.

	Lectures		Physiology/Pharmacology workshops		Laboratories
	Histology workshops		PBL sessions		Review sessions

Evaluation

Evaluation in this course is based on two examinations that include multiple-choice and short-answer items, and a histology practical examination.

Grading: This course comprises 40% of the grade for the Fundamentals of Basic Science Block, Section 2.  Grading for the block section is Honors, Satisfactory, Unsatisfactory.

Faculty Note

Course Director Cynthia Lance-Jones, PhD, is a recipient of the Kenneth E. Schuit Award, recognizing the Dean’s Master Educators. Course director Don DeFranco, PhD is a recipient of the Provost’s Award for Excellence in Mentoring. Faculty member Georgia Duker, PhD, is a recipient of the Chancellor’s Distinguished Teaching Award, the Kenneth E. Schuit Award, Excellence in Education Awards for Problem-based Learning Facilitator and for Small Group Facilitator multiple times, and the Pre-Clinical Golden Apple Award. Faculty member Jack Schumann, PhD, is a recipient of the Kenneth E. Schuit Award; the Sheldon Adler Award for Innovation in Medical Education; multiple Excellence in Education Awards, including for Outstanding Course Director and for Lecturer; the Pre-Clinical Golden Apple Award; and several Golden Apple Awards. In addition Dr. Lance-Jones, Dr. Duker, and Dr. Schumann are members of the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine Academy of Master Educators.