COURSE DESCRIPTION:This course will material included in the medical school MCFM-2A module at a more scientifically rigorous level. The MCFM-2A module includes content in pharmacology, physiology, and pathology. The pharmacology section of the course will focus on pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, exemplar drug classes, and drug development. The physiology section will focus on the molecular and cellular basis of muscle contraction comparing the contractile processes and regulation of contractile strength in skeletal, smooth, and cardiac muscle. The pathology section will cover three topics, 1) cell injury and death, 2) cell repair and adaptation, and 3) aging.

COURSE OBJECTIVES: The course has three major objectives.

1) Students should understand the processes of drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion and the general approaches to drug development.
2) Students should understand the mechanisms of contraction and the, control and regulation of muscle contraction in smooth, skeletal, and cardiac muscle.
3) Students should understand the cellular responses to injury, repair, cell death, and the effects of aging on cellular processes.

PREREQUISITES: One year of undergraduate physics, biology, chemistry, organic chemistry/biochemistry, and mathematics. Completion of the MSTP Physiology: Membranes & Transport course.

REQUIRED MATERIALS: Chapters from relevant textbooks and journal articles will be provided via the Canvas course website.

SUITABLE FOR 1ST YEAR STUDENTS: Yes; required for 1st year MSTP students

STUDENT ASSESSMENTS: There will be three assessments, one for each section of the course. They will be completed as open book quizzes, followed by in class small group discussions of the problems, and then discussion of the answers by the entire class. Each assessment will be worth 30% of the grade, and students will get 10% based on class participation. Passing will be based on demonstration of understanding the material covered in the course.

CREDIT HOURS: 1.0