Curriculum Overview
6-Year BSc/MD Program
Degrees awarded: Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Biomedical Science and a Doctor of Medicine (MD).
Program length: 2 years ( 6 semesters)
Year 1: 44 credits
Year 2: 48 credits
Total: 92 credits
Year 1
Semester 1
16 credits
Scientific Inquiry
BMS 100
Credits: 3
The course Scientific Inquiry will enable students to develop skills related to scientific reasoning and problem solving. In addition, it will introduce students to the basics of the design and execution of research.
Introduction to College Writing and Comprehension
BMS 101
Credits: 3
The course Introduction to College Writing and Comprehension is an introductory English class based on college writing and reading skills, with a focus on the study and practice of reading comprehension through structure, meaning and evaluation.
Math for Biological Sciences
BMS 102
Credits: 4
The course Math for Biological Sciences consists largely of precalculus topics, but also includes a substantial treatment of probability. The precalculus topics include relations, functions, coordinate systems, graphing, polynomials, trigonometric functions, algebra, and logarithmic and exponential functions. Probability topics include random experiments and random variables, algebra of sets, methods of enumeration, sampling, conditional probability, and distributions of discrete types.
Introduction to Psychology
BMS 107
Credits: 4
The course Introduction to Psychology is an in-depth introduction to the science and profession of psychology. It will present a summary of what is known about human nature, how it reveals general principles of the functioning of the brain, and the behavior of individuals and groups.
Medical Terminology*
BMS 103
Credits: 2
Medical Terminology prepares pre-medical students for the complex language of medicine. Students will become familiar with the vocabulary for accurately describing the human body and associated components, conditions and processes in a scientific manner. This course will also help students understand unfamiliar medical terms and appreciate their clinical applications.
Semester 2
13 credits
Organismal Biology
BMS 104
Credits: 3
This course focuses on the basic principles of cell biology, including the chemical basis of life, cell structure and function, and cellular energetics. It also introduces Mendelian genetics and the fundamentals of molecular biology, including DNA structure and dynamics, gene expression and biotechnology. A brief overview of the cellular mechanisms of development is also included. All concepts are presented in the context of evolution. These foundational topics are reinforced through application of the scientific process to the practice of medicine. Critical thinking skills are underscored throughout the course.
General Chemistry (with lab)
BMS 108
Credits: 4
This course offers students the opportunity to learn about the nature of carbon in organic compounds. It presents general principles of organic chemistry related to structure, stereochemistry, nomenclature, synthesis, uses and reactions of alcohols, ethers and aliphatic hydrocarbons (alkanes, alkynes, alkenes, cycloalkanes).
Physics for Life Sciences
BMS 204
Credits: 3
The course Physics for Life Sciences introduces many of the basic principles and concepts in physics. It includes base and derived units, vectors and scalars, kinematics in one and two dimensions, dynamics, circular motion and gravitation, equilibrium, elasticity, fluids and hydrostatics, fluid dynamics, vibration and waves, sound, electrostatics, current electricity, magnetism, light and basic geometrical optics, heat, and introductory atomic and nuclear physics.
Medical and Scientific Communication
BMS 107
Credits: 3
The course Medical and Scientific Communication is designed to introduce students to the fundamentals of effective communication. Both written and oral communication will be addressed. It will consider the importance of communication and cover speech building (including the collection and collation of material, structure and content), speech writing, elements of effective written communication and medical/scientific event management.
Semester 3
15 credits
Organic Chemistry (with lab)
BMS 105
Credits: 4
This is an advanced course in the structure and reactivity of functional groups (aromatic compounds, carbonyl compounds, carbohydrates, organometallic compounds, carboxylic acids and their derivatives, amines and amino acids). This course covers the essential prerequisite material needed for Biochemistry.
Biostatistics
BMS 201
Credits: 4
The course Biostatistics is designed to assist students in acquiring a good intuitive grasp of statistics, specifically in terms of what they are, how and when to apply various statistical techniques, how to interpret results, and how to draw meaningful conclusions from the data.
Communication for Health Professionals
BMS 202
Credits: 3
The course Communication for Health Professionals develops students’ skills in locating, selecting, evaluating and using research to answer questions, which are personally and professionally relevant. The course will help students to develop skills in reading, paraphrasing, summarizing, writing clearly and effectively, and in appropriately documenting sources. Students will learn to evaluate research methods, introduce students to basic concepts in evidence-based medicine, and will analyze structure and writing style in research articles.
Microbiology (with lab)
BMS 205
Credits: 4
In the course Microbiology, a general introduction to the microbial world with information on microbial physiology, growth and its control, nutrition, interactions within various ecosystems, endogenous human organisms, human disease, biotechnology, and industrial aspects will be presented. Virtual laboratory exercises are a component of this course.
Year 2
Semester 4
15 credits
Abnormal Psychology
BMS 307
Credits: 4
The course Abnormal Psychology examines the etiology, epidemiology, description/classification and treatment of disordered behavior. Major mental disorders are systematically examined from several different theoretical viewpoints, including psychodynamic, learning, cognitive and physiological. A survey of psychological disorders is provided and students are introduced to the DSM-5 classification system. Treatment approaches based upon the major theoretical perspectives are covered.
Community Health
BMS 201
Credits: 3
The course Community Health provides an understanding of population-based health as opposed to individual health. Basic concepts in epidemiology will be addressed.
Biochemistry (with lab)
BMS 206
Credits: 4
The course Biochemistry covers the structure and function of biological molecules, enzyme structure, function and regulation, the biochemical pathways of intermediary metabolism, and their regulation in normal and aberrant states. It is designed to help students integrate the biochemical information covered by this course into meaningful knowledge, with an emphasis on the functional significance and regulatory mechanisms governing metabolic pathways. Virtual laboratory exercises are a component of this course.
Introduction to Health Research Methods
BMS 303
Credits: 4
The course Introduction to Health Research Methods examines philosophical and methodological foundations of health science research. Several quantitative and qualitative research approaches are explored and students work in teams to review and critique peer-reviewed research articles associated with the approaches examined.
Semester 5
17 credits
Introduction to Pharmacology
BMS 112
Credits: 4
This course provides a foundational overview of pharmacological science, including drug-receptor interactions, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and the physiological basis of therapeutic and adverse drug effects. Students examine major drug classes and their mechanisms of action in relation to human systems. Emphasis is placed on developing the analytical skills needed to understand how drugs modify biological pathways – building essential preparation for medical school coursework in physiology, pathology, therapeutics and clinical decision-making.
Introduction to Nutrition
BMS 106
Credits: 4
The course Introduction to Nutrition presents basic nutrition information that will help students understand the relationship between diet and the prevention/control of diseases.
Introduction to Histology
BMS 111
Credits: 4
This course introduces students to the microscopic structure of cells, tissues and organs as the foundation for understanding human biology and disease. Emphasis is placed on developing visual recognition skills and correlating microscopic structure with cellular and tissue function. Students will learn to identify major tissue types, interpret histological images and describe structural features in clear biomedical language.
Cell and Molecular Biology (with lab)
BMS 302
Credits: 5
In this course, students will gain an understanding of cellular functions. Topics include: macromolecular function and regulation, mechanisms of gene expression and inheritance, cell structure and function, and diagnostic biotechnology.
Semester 6
16 credits
Clinical Anatomy (with lab)
BMS 300
Credits: 4
This is a lecture and laboratory course where students will acquire a basic knowledge of both the gross structure and functional anatomy of organs and systems. Concurrent with lecture and small group work, students participate in laboratory sessions and study a variety of imaging techniques (including X-rays, CT and MRI scans). Emphasis is on the identification of normal gross structures, with lectures and demonstrations used to illustrate clinically relevant normal and abnormal findings.
Medical Physiology (with lab)
BMS 301
Credits: 4
During this course, students learn the normal functions and regulation of cells, organs and organ systems, and physiological integration of the systems to maintain homeostasis – with emphasis on clinically relevant concepts. Lectures cover the neural and humoral homeostatic mechanisms and understanding of the physiology of muscular, cardiovascular, respiratory, endocrine, reproductive, gastrointestinal and renal systems. In addition, the pathophysiology of selected disease states is explored.
Genetics
BMS 306
Credits: 4
In the course Genetics, the principles of classical, molecular and population genetics will be discussed. The course will provide a historical background of heredity, and a review of advances in gene structure and function. Students are expected to develop problem-solving skills over the course of their studies. The application of genetic principles to medicine will be emphasized throughout the course.
Health and Disease
BMS 208
Credits: 4
The course Health and Disease introduces students to basic concepts related to nutrition, microbiology, (co-) evolution, heritable disease and substance abuse. It provides students the opportunity to understand biology, health and disease in the context of heredity and infectious disease.
*The Medical Terminology course is offered exclusively online. This course also offers the option to test out of the class. All other courses may be attended either in-person on the Medical University of the Americas campus, or online.
Questions?
Please contact us at info@mua.edu for more information.