Courses

• 1st Year (MSI)
• 2nd Year (MSII)
• 3rd & 4th Years (MSIII and MSIV - Syracuse Campus , Binghamton Clinical Campus )

MSI Year

Molecular Foundations of Medicine
This course provides integrated instruction in the cellular and molecular foundations of modern medicine, laying the necessary groundwork for further learning in the basic and clinical sciences, and throughout the physician's professional life. Reflecting the ongoing integration of scientific research and the blurring of disciplinary boundaries, the course includes the essential content of biochemistry, cell and molecular biology, genetics and nutrition. Scientific foundations will be complemented by clinical applications.

Human Anatomy
The development of adult morphology and the relationships between human development, structure and function are learned primarily through dissection of the human body supplemented with lectures, small group conferences and computer generated materials including imaging anatomy, applied clinical anatomy and embryology are emphasized.

Brain and Behavior
The basic principles of anatomy and physiology of the nervous system are taught through lecture, laboratory, clinical conferences, and demonstrations.

Microscopic Anatomy
Development, structure, and functions of the primary tissues and organ systems. The various organ systems are analyzed for structural arrangements; correlation of form and function is emphasized at both the light microscope and ultrastructural levels. Lecture, laboratory, and conference.

Physiology
This is a course consisting of about 70 lectures (plus demonstrations and laboratories) contained in the medical college course Mammalian Physiology. The lectures cover material in cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, gastrointestinal and endocrine physiology. Exams follow each of the units. The course begins in March and continues through June.

Practice of Medicine I
This course will review presentation of abnormal symptons and disease and will reinforce the clinical reasoning process in the MLC-I course.

MLC-I
The course consists primarily of reading published case reports. The cases are chosen to represent diagnostic reasoning involving a wide spectrum of clinical problems. The goal is to energize and motivate students by showing the dependence of clinical problem solving on knowledge gained in the basic science courses. The experience provides models of excellent clinical reasoning for students to begin to visualize the end toward which their education and training should be directed.

MS II Year

Microbiology/Immunology
Lectures and laboratories in general and medical virology, bacteriology, entomology, parasitology, and mycology.

Pathology
A combined course of general, anatomical and clinical pathology, with emphasis on basic vocabulary and skills, general principles and analysis of problems of disease. Students develop familiarity with etiology, pathogenesis, evolution and manifestations of disease, laboratory methods in diagnosis and approaches to solving clinical problems. Lectures, laboratories, seminars, clinico-pathologic correlation problems, autopsies and special elective projects.

Pharmacology
This course emphasizes the basic principles of drug action as related to the modern therapeutics. During this course, each student participates in a seminar group concentrating on a specific aspect of pharmacology; this entails oral presentations of a chosen topic to the group.

Practice of Medicine II
This course will review presentation of abnormal symptons and disease and will reinforce the clinical reasoning process in the MLC-II course.

MLC-II
The course consists of a mixture of readings including case reports, supplemental commentaries (editorials and topic reviews) and some primary research reports. The case readings represent a continuation of the modeling of clinical problems solving done in the first year course but are selected to represent increasingly complex derangements of organ system function and a major focus is on the underlying pathophysiologic mechanisms. The supplemental readings are intermixed to promote the idea that students look to the current literature for new insights into difficult areas in medicine. The articles selected represent current hypotheses and recent findings related to important and unresolved areas of disease mechanisms and management.

Behavioral Science
Emphasizes the use of the behavioral sciences in understanding human functioning in health and disease. Course is organized into four units: the biobehavioral sciences, individual development, social structure and organization, and introduction to clinical psychiatry.

MSIII & MSIV Years—CLERKSHIPS

Bioethics at the Bedside
The goal of this bioetchics course is to improve the student's ability to identify and analyze common ethical issues in healthcare. Using a case-based approach and presented concurrently with the clinical clerkships, this course focuses on identifying and addressing ethical conflicts, and developing understanding of the legal consensus and moral arguments about common bioethical issues.

Family Medicine Clerkship
The purpose of the third year clerkship in Family Medicine is to provide instruction to all medical students in the basic knowledge, attitudes and skills of Family Medicine. The foundation in the basic tenets of Family Medicine will prepare the student for his/her future role regardless of specialty choice. In this course, most students work directly with an attending physician at the physician's private office. In these offices clerkship students participate in the delivery of primary care adn learn about the delivery of continuous, comphrehensive, patient centered care. Students are taught the importance of the doctor-patient relationship, life long learning skills, interviewing skills, physical examination, and clinical problem solving. The 4th Edition of Essentials of Family Medicine is the text for the course. The final grade is a combination of clinical performance, assignments and a final exam.

Internal Medicine Clerkship
Through active participation in the care of patients in the hospital and outpatient department, the third year student continues to develop knowledge and skill in diagnosis and prevention, and to acquire experience in the fundamentals of treatment. Students take medical histories, perform physical examinations, perform selected laboratory procedures, and outline programs of treatment on assigned patients. Understanding of the biochemical, physiological, and psychosocial phenomena which underlie the patients' illnesses is developed in conferences and seminars. The students participate ein daily rounds and conferences. Weekly departmental conferences, special seminars and lectures, and a student lecture series constitute the formal teaching exercises during the clerkship. Full time for 12 weeks.

OB-GYN Clerkship
Three institutions will provide the clinical setup for this clerkship: University Hospital, Crouse Hospital and St. Joseph's Hospital Medical Center. The first day of the clerkship consists of core lectures and orientation to the Childbirth Unit at Crouse Hospital. The student will rotate on the obstetrical, gynecological and outpatient services at Crouse, University, and St. Joseph's Hospitals as well as UHCC and private physicians' offices. During the clinical assignments, the student actively participates in hospital and ambulatory patient care with graded responsibility. Attendance at department conferences, Grand Rounds, core lectures and rounds with the house staff is required. Each student is also required to give a seminar presentation based on current literature review of a particular subject. Final grade in the clerkship is based on clinical performance, final examination, and case report grades, as well as student seminar and participation in departmental educational activities. Full time six weeks. Suggested reference reading: 1) Beckman, et al. Obstetrics and Gynecology, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Baltimore Maryland, Fourth Edition 2002; 2) Danforth and Scott, et al., Danforth's Obstetrics and Gynecology Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Philadelphia Pennsylvania Fourth Edition

Pediatrics Clerkship
The Pediatric Clerkship in the third year provides the student with a basis for understanding the interrelationships of factors of growth and development in health and disease. During this period, the student will develop basic skills in the taking of a pediatric history, in the performance of physical examinations on newborns, infants, and older children, in assessment of the development level of a child, and in the interpretation of clinical data obtained. Experiences with patients will be in the inpatient service, the pediatric and specialty clinics and private pediatricians offices. Non-clinical educational opportunities inclde the student lecture series, grand rounds, and departmental conferences. Students may request assignments to specific clinical sites by contacting the departmental office.

Psychiatry Clerkship
This is a six week, full time clerkship. Students are assigned to in or outpatient services at one of four institutions (UH, VA Medical Center, Hutchings Psychiatric Center or to CPEP) wher they learn interviewing techniques, refine diagnostic skills, prepare case studies, and participate in the treatment/programs of the ward to which they are assigned. In addition, experience in Consultation/Liaison Psychiatry is also offered through special teaching programs at UH and VAH, and experience in Child and Adolescnet Psychiatry at two sites (UH and HPC). Students also learn, under faculty supervision, to evaluate patients in the ER and in the outpatient clinics of the Department. Regular seminars designed to review psychopathology and treatment methods are provided by the faculty. A final written examination is given at the end of the clerkships. Students' diagnostic interviewing skills are also evaluated. Final grade in the clerkship is based on student interest and participation, case presentations and both written and oral (diagnostic interviewing) final examination.

Family Medicine
This unique longitudinal rotation offers a year-long mentorship with a family physician. Also included are didactic activities that explore the nature of the physician-patient relationship and introduce concepts in the assessment and management of the common vexations bring people to see their doctor. Goals: Goals include learning how to: 1) interview and examine any patient, irrespective of age, sex or presenting complaint; 2) recognize and manage a selection of common primary care diagnosis; 3) coordinate a family's medical care over time; 4) use family systems theory and a knowledge of family dynamics to optimize medical care; 5) employ community health and social service resources; 6) communicate effectively, in writing and orally, with other medical personnel. Activities: The major component of the rotation is the office preceptorship. For one afternoon each week, the student will attend office hours with a family physician preceptor in the Broome County area. The student will work with the same preceptor every week throughout the year. This enables the student to develop a long-term relationship with patients in the practice, seeing them through various stages of health and illness. Didactic sessions will be held approximately one week out of six. The student will also make a visit to a patient's home, and one visit to a local health/social service agency. Required reading will be assigned. Evaluation: The following components enter into the student's grade: evaluation by office preceptor - 40%, written examinations - 20%, observed structured clinical examination (OSCE) - 20%, and other written work - 20%.

Practice of Medicine III
This concurrent longitudinal course consists of bioethics and advanced communication skills. Students meet with small groups concurrently with major clerkships.

Geriatric Medicine
The Geriatric Medicine/Gerontology Program provides a four-week clerkship addressing the causes, management, and prevention of the diseases of later life. The Clinical Campus program emphasizes training in the care of older adults in community, home, and institutional settings. Students learn about the physical , social, psychological, and economic stresses experienced by older adults and the major characteristics of the health care systems whichprovide services to meet their needs. The promotionof positive attitudes toward the care of older people, the examination of available support systems, as well as clinical work at community and institutional sites, combine to give an integrated approach to the health care of older individuals. Goals: To help students: 1) Increase understanding and knowldege of Geriatric Medicine, emphasizing basic elements that should be used in all non-pediatric specialties and that are unique or most common in elderly patients; 2) Develop a positive attitude toward geriatric patients and accept the need for appropriate evaluation and treatment of their medical problems; 3) Understand and accept the team approach to frail elderly and learn the basic functions of the different members of the team; 4) Learn the importance of psychological, social, environmental, and system factors in maintaining a satisfactory life for the elderly; and 5) Understand health care delivery to the elderly in multiple settings, including long-term care. Reading: "Notes in Clinical Geriatrics", by Neil K. Hall, M.D. Criteria for Evaluation of Performance: Written examination (minimum passing score 80%); evaluation by clinical preceptors and satisfactory completion of required assignments.

Neuroscience Clerkship
The Neuroscience Program will be offered for a four-week period, six times throughout the academic year. 1) Clinical exposure in commonneurological diseases, including diagnosis and therapy; 2) Development and acquisition of skills in both interviewing and doing physical examinations on a neurological impaired patient; 3) The formulation of diagnostic and therapeutic approaches; 4) The application of basic science knowledge to the clinical setting. Activities: The core activity consists of evaluating and examining patients and following these patients througout their hospital course. The students will be expected to review their cases with their faculty apreceptors and to write appropriate history andn physical exams. The clerkship experiences will include: 1) Morning rounds; 2) Attending rounds; 3) Ambulatory office rounds; 4) Formal history and physical exam writeups; 5) Seminar/case study presentations and supervision; 6) Reading assignments; 7) Formal lectures; 8) Final examination. Evaluation: 1) Skills: This will be measured by faculty observing student work-ups and reviewing the students written history and physical exams; 2) Knowldege: This will be evaluated by a multiple choice exam at the end of the clerkship; 3) Habits and attitudes: Faculty and nursing staff will assess habits and attitudes appropriate to a physician.

Ambulatory Surgery
The program will consist of: 1.) One-week block rotations in each specialty (ENT, Ophthalmology), over a two-week period using a modified preceptorial model in the physicians office; 2.) Morning seminars, Monday through Friday, 7:30-9:00 a.m.; 3.) Students will accompany their preceptor to surgery at the discretion of the preceptor. Goals: 1.) To provide the student exposure in office problems and management for each of the above named surgical subspecialties; 2). To develop diagnostic and therapeutic skills in each of the above disciplines; 3.) To recognize and manage acute medical and surgical emergencies. Student Evaluation: 1.) Evaluation of history taking, physical examination, differential diagnosis, and treatment plans will be reviewed by faculty in each setting; 2.) Evaluation of skills will be done by direct observation; 3.) Habits and values will be subjectively rated by each discipline; 4.)Two written case studies will be presented by each student at the Summary Conference in Ophthalmology; 5.) Knowledge will be assessed by multiple choice questions (10% of grade)

OB-GYN Clerkship
The OB/GYN Clerkship will be offered in a six-week period in both inpatient and ambulatory settings. The general goal of the program is to provide clinical opportunities for the students to develop skills and knowledge related to antepartum care, management of normal labor and delivery, care of the newborn and postpartum care. Activities: The program will consist of the following experiences: 1. History and Physical Examinations. 2. Following of patients in labor and delivery. 3. Care of newborn. 4. Rounds including antepartum and postpartum rounds. 5. Ambulatory obstetrics experience in obstetrician's office or obstetrics clinic. 6. Sexuality/behavioral science seminars. 7. Obstetrics and Pediatrics seminars. Schedule: Individual schedules will be worked out for each student at the beginning of their rotation. Evaluation: Student evaluation in writing will be required at the end of each clerkship. Approximately halfway through each rotation, the principle obstetrical tutor will be contacted for a verbal evaluation. This is in order to take whatever remedial changes that might be necessary in order to help a student improve his/her grades. Written evaluation, on special Clinical Campus forms, will be required for each student. These rating forms will be made available for each preceptor. Each student will keep a log of activities in both Obstetrics and Gynecology. This must be countersigned by the attending. At the end of the clerkship, the student will be required to hand this log into the Coordinator's Office.

Medicine Clerkship
This 12 week clerkship is comprised of 8 weeks of hospital ward service and 4 weeks of ambulatory service. During the ambulatory part of the rotation, students will be excused from their clinical duties one afternoon per week in order to participate in sessions at the Clinical Campus on disease prevention and health promotions. The goals of the Internal Medicine clerkship are: 1) To develop strong skills in the art of medical history taking and the performance of an accurate physical examination; 2) To develop the skill of presenting clinical cases; 3) To develop a basic fund of knowledge in the major areas of internal medicine; 4) To develop clinical problem-solving skills. This will require the synthesis of clinical information that is gathered from various sources including the history an dphysical exmainatiaon, laboratory studies, radiologic and other special studies, consultants opinions, etc. and then relating all this information to the student's fund of knowledge in internal medicine; 5) To develop those psycho-social skills essential fo rthe practives of good medicine - proper bedside manner, empathy, active listening, compassion, how to work as a team member with peers, house officers, attendings, consultants, nbursing staff, and many other health care professions; 6) To learn basic concepts in disease prevention and health promotion as it relates to the field of internal medicine. Emphasis will be placed on the concepts of screening tests for diesease prevention; 7) to begin to learn about the concepts of Evidence-Based Medicine. In order to achieve the above goals, the Internal Medicine Clerkship has been designed to include an inparient experience, outpatient experience, didactive lectures, formal attending rounds and other interactive learning experiences. During the clerkship, the student will participate in the Continuity of Care program and be excused from Internal Medicine duties at those assigned times (one afternoon per week) in the Continuity of Care Program. The clerkship is designed so taht all students spend four weeks at Wilson Hospital/UHS where general medicine is emphasized. Four weeks are spent at the Guthrie Medical Center where the students are assigned to vaious medicine specialty services, and/or the general medicine service. The In-Hosptial Internal Medicine Clerksip experience consists: 1) Work rounds; 2) In-depth attending rounds; 3) Psychosocial seminars in internal medicine; 4) Radiology conferences 5) Weekly Internal Medicine Grand Rounds; 6) Occasional "Teaching Days" on various topics, 7) NIght Call - as established by the Coordinator and site directors; 8) Submission of complete written histories/physicals obtained from ward patients to senior residents/faculty for evaluation. There will be a four week ambulatory internal medicine experience. Each student will be assigned to an office-based internist with whome s/he will participate in activities in cluding office visits, consultions, hospital rounds, staff conferences, ER visits, et. During the ambulatoroy part of the rotation, students will be excused from their clinical duties on Thursday afternoons in order to participate in sessions at the Clinical Campus on disease prevention and health promotions and Evidence-Based Medicine. The final grade is calculated as a composite of the following: Inpatient attending evaluations (20%), inpatient house office evaluations (20%), ambulatory attending evaluations (20%) ambulatory participation in disease prevention and health promotion sessions (10%) and a standardized final examination (30%). Achieving a passing grade on the final examination is a prerequisite albeit not the sole criterion for obtaining a passing grade for the clerkship.

Surgery Clerkship
The clinical clerkship in surgery, including cardiovascular, trauma and gneeral surgery will extend for eight weeks and be centered around the care of inpatients. Additional opportunities to participate in care of patients undergoing platic surgery and urologica surgery will be inlcluded at the discretion of the attending staff. The overall aim shall be to ensure that the student learns skills important to functioning as a complete physician, with the emphasis on the management of the surgical patient. Activities and Schedule: In order to acheive these aims, the teaching program will encompass seven areas: 1) History taking and physical exam, workup plan and pre-and postoperative care on assigned patients (3-4 complete H&P/week, 1-2 abbreviated workups on uncomplicated patients with common surgical disorders, i.e. inguinal hernia, cholelithiasis); 2) A lecture series; 3) Conferences as possible within the surgical schedule; 4) Operating room experience; 5) Floor care and rounds; 6) Call schedule; 7) Outpatient office experience; 8) 1 week rotation on orthopedics; 9) 1 week rotation on anesthesiology. Evaluation: Overall performance during the clerkhsip will be evaluated on the review of performed history and physical examinations, development of clinical skills, and the demonstration of an understanding of basic concepts related tot he management of surgical patients. There is an examination at the end of the rotation as well.

Psychiatry Clerkship
Goals: The psychiatry program will be offered ofr a six-week period, six times throughout the academic year. 1) To acquire a positive and helpful attitude towrad persons with mental or emotional illnesses and by other related medical problems; 2) To completely interview a variety of patients; 3) To recognize psychiatric signs and symptons and to diagnose the major categories of psychiatric disorders; 4) To learn about treatment techniques (e.g.psychopharmacologic agents types and methods of psychotherapies and somatotherapies); 5) To prepare for National examinations. Activities: The core activity consists of interviewing an dexamining patients, and following these patients throughout their hospital course. The students will be expected to review their cases with their faculty preceptor and to write progress notes a minimum of twice per week. The clerkhsip experiences will include: 1) Morning rounds; 2) Attending rounds; 3) Observed interviews; 4) Night call (3 evenings per week); 5) Formal write-ups of patient interviews; 6) Seminar-case study presentation and supervision; 7) Reading assignments; 8) A-V materials; 9) Quizzes and final exams. Evaluation: 1) Skills: This wil be measured by faculty observing patient interviews, reviewing write-ups, discussing the ontgoing care of the patients being followed, and OSCES; 2) Knowledge: This will be evaluated by short quizzes and a a multiple choice final exam related to Psychiatry. 3) Habits and Attitudes: Faculty, patients and nursing staff will asses shabits and attitudes deemed appropriate to physicians.

Pediatrics Clerkship
The Child/Adolescent Clerkship will be offered for a six-week period in both inpatient and ambulatory settings. The specific goals of the program are to have each student accomplish during this period at least 75 percent of the Category I and Category II skills and objectives outlined in the Child/Adolescent Curriculum Guide. Primary goals of the clerkship are: 1.) To provide clinical opportunities to develop skills in history taking, physical examinations, technical skills, problem solving and management as they specifically relate to the pediatric patient; 2.) To direct the junior student's acquisition of a core knowledge of the Pediatric discipline. Activities: All students will use Wilson Memorial Hospital as their inpatient base and will participate in patient care as a member of the Family Practice Resident team assigned to Pediatrics. Specific assignments during the clerkship will include the following: 1.) Students will be supervised by a preceptor(s) who will meet with them daily, will evaluate their work-ups and physical examinations, and will coordinate their inpatient experiences; 2.) Clerkship is divided into two three-week havles. One is Ambulatory focused in pediatricians' offices. The other is "inpatient" focused; 3.) Students will be expected to attend House Staff Work Rounds and Attending Rounds whenever their schedules permit. Students will be expected to workup patients on a rotating basis and to be "on call" and at least one weekend during the clerkship. Attendance at Pediatric Conferences for residents and attending staff is required whenever individual schedules permit; 4.) Each student will be assigned a Pediatric outpatient experience in either a Pediatrician's private office or Pediatric clinic. The purpose of the ambulatory rotation is to provide the student with exposure to many common pediatric problems and an approach to preventive pediatrics. The Community Medicine and Continuity of Care Programs will be conducted concurrently with the Pediatric Clerkship; 5) Weekly didactic sessions on selected Pediatric topics will be presented. Lecture lists will be provided at the beginning of the clerkship; 6.) Students will be assigned to participate in a multi-disciplinary evaluation of a learning disabled and/or mentally retarded and/or physically handicapped child at Broome Developmental; 7.) A recommended reading list will be provided at the beginning of the clerkship. Suggested textbooks are Barnett's or Nelson's Textbook of Pediatrics. Evaluation: Junior students will be evaluated during their Pediatric Clerkship as to their acquisition of the basic knowledge of the discipline; the completeness and appropriateness of their histories, physical examinations, diagnostic outlines and management plans; their performance of the technical skills of the discipline; their ability to accept responsibility; demonstration of initiative; ability to communicate with peers, preceptors, patients, and parents; demonstration of leadership; punctuality and attendance; and appropriateness of general demeanor and appearance. The preceptors of the clerkship will be responsible for judging the student's performance and progress. Successful completion of an examination covering major areas of the discipline also will be required.