University of Pittsburgh
Organ System Pathophysiology

Body Fluid Homeostasis Renal Course
MS-2

September 28, 2009 – October 16, 2009
18 half days

James Johnston, MD

Course Director
James Johnston, MD
Professor
Department of Medicine
jamiej@pitt.edu

Course Description

The Renal Course is second in a sequence of three courses (CV, Renal, Pulmonary) that focus on Body Fluid Homeostasis.

The goals of the course are:

  1. to understand the relationship between structure and function in the renal organ system.
  2. to learn the embryologic basis of structure-based malfunctions in the kidney.
  3. to learn primary cellular processes that mediate the actions of pharmaceutical agents that are active in the renal system and how kidneys participate in establishing drug levels in circulation.
  4. to understand the etiology and treatment of common diseases of the renal system.
  5. to gain a good understanding of salt and water balance and the critical importance of this function to homeostasis.

The 44 faculty are from 6 departments: Cell Biology and Physiology; Medicine (Renal-Electrolyte Division); Pathology; Pharmacology; Radiology; and Urology.

Educational Methods

Lectures Small-group workshops        
Review/question and answer sessions Self-study materials on web        

Evaluation

Evaluation for this course is based on a single multiple-choice examination.

Grading: This course comprises 25% of the grade for the Organ System Pathophysiology Block, Section 2. The block section is graded Honors, Satisfactory, Unsatisfactory.

Faculty Note

Course Director James Johnston, MD, is the recipient of numerous teaching awards, including the Kenneth E. Schuit Award, recognizing the Dean’s Master Educators; Excellence in Education Awards for Course Director and for Lecturer; the Sheldon Adler Award for Innovation in Medical Education; and several Golden Apple Awards. Faculty participant 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. In addition, Dr. Johnston is the director and Dr. Duker is a member of the University of Pittsburgh Medical School Academy of Master Educators.