Course Lead
Dana Cummings, MD, PhD
Department of Pediatrics
dana.cummings@chp.edu
Course Lead
Martin Schmidt, PhD
Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics
mcs2@pitt.edu
Course Description
The 3RC Integrated Life Sciences (ILS) course is a four-week intensive experience in the fourth-year curriculum offered in February 2027. Exploration of each case topic will combine introductory large-group sessions involving all 140 students with small-group learning. The class will be divided into twelve groups of approximately twelve students. To maximize the benefits of peer continuity on social support and sense of belonging (Chou and Teherani, 2017), each group of 12 students will journey through the entire four-week-eight case experience together.
Course Objectives
The goals of the Integrated Life Sciences course are to reinforce the relevance of foundational basic science concepts in the context of emerging and evolving clinical practices, while strengthening students’ abilities to work collaboratively and communicate effectively. Through case-based learning and group activities, students will integrate molecular, cellular, and physiologic principles with contemporary therapies, diagnostics, and procedures, and develop skills in presenting scientific and clinical information to peers and faculty. By the end of this course, students will be able to:
- Apply basic science principles to explain the mechanisms and clinical use of emerging therapies, technologies, and procedures.
- Communicate scientific and clinical information clearly to audiences with varying levels of expertise.
- Identify gaps in clinical knowledge and patient care to formulate a research question or study.
- Evaluate how proposed interventions may influence patient outcomes in the context of social determinants of health.
Assessment
Grading will be Pass/Fail, based on attendance and participation.
Requests for excused absences should be submitted via Elentra. Unexcused absences may result in grading penalties as outlined in the Policy on Absence and Attendance.