Basic Science

In many medical schools students are exposed solely to classroom- based didactics during the duration of their basic science coursework. After approximately two years they are then required to apply their knowledge to actual cases.

At International American University College of Medicine, similar to many of the best medical schools in the United States, we take a more progressive approach to medical education in that our students are immediately exposed to a case-based, problem-oriented curriculum ("problem based learning", or PBL), which places far more emphasis on learning that is active (researching, discussing) rather than passive (sitting, memorizing). Our curriculum helps build the student’s confidence in their own presentation skills which must be honed by the time they are presenting their cases to a room full of medical doctors.

Case Studies

Students are presented with a specific case and are required to present and discuss this case during the course of the semester. With each case comes a plethora of questions compiled by various faculty members. The student group is required to prepare an oral presentation which addresses each of these questions. The background required to effectively “solve” each case will depend on the specific case discussed during that week. The depth and difficulty of the cases will increase as the students progress towards their final semester in St. Lucia. In addition to case studies, students also participate extensively in local clinics and in the local St. Lucian hospital, St. Jude.

Courses

The first four semesters of the Basic Sciences are carried out on in St. Lucia; the fifth, or "bridge" semester, is done back in the United States. No student can begin their clinical clerkships until Step 1 of the United States Medical Licensing Examination is successfully completed. For detailed information on Basic Science Coursework, please click here.

Semester 1
Gross Anatomy
Histology, Molecular & Cell Biology
Embryology
Doctor - Patient - Society
Case Study I

Semester 2
Bio Chemistry & Genetics
Physiology
Case Study II

Semester 3
Pathology - I
Microbiology & Immunology
Doctoring I
Case Study III

Semester 4
Pathology - II
Pharmacology & Therapeutics
Doctoring II
Case Study IV

Semester 5
Introduction to Clinical Medicine (ICM) – 8 Weeks
USMLE Review Program - 7 Weeks

Gross Anatomy
Studies gross structure, as well as normal and abnormal development of all organs and systems of the human body, with an emphasis on function. To enhance the understanding of this subject, an anatomical Learning Resource Center (LRC) has been established. The LRC incorporates computer-based individual learning and other audiovisual aids, such as videotaped dissections, laser disc programs including imaging modalities, programs such as Slice of Life and Adam, and anatomical models. The integration with physiology in a system-based approach, along with clinical correlation and physical examination of the various systems, provides students with the knowledge of traditional anatomical relationships with functional and clinical relevance. Laboratory work includes the study of both prosections and dissections of cadavers. The course also covers topics in Neuri Anatomy and will introduce the student to surgical anatomy.

Histology, Molecular & Cell Biology
The course is designed to provide a basic understanding of the structural organization of cells, tissues and organ systems at the microscopic level. It emphasizes the dynamic relationships between structure and function. Students directly observe micro-anatomical structure in the laboratory, and begin using their knowledge of normal structure and function in clinical problem solving. The course will also introduce the student to the molecular basis of embryology, Immunology, Molecular Genetics and Pharmacokinetics.  An important goal of the Histology/Cell Biology course is to help students acquire the knowledge and skills that they will need for their subsequent study of pathophysiology.

Embryology
The Medical Embryology course covers embryologic development from ovulation through birth and is organized by organ systems.  Topics are integrated with Human Anatomy to facilitate understanding of anatomical relationships, selected birth defects, and anatomical variants. The course will educate students on the cellular and anatomical components of reproduction and early development. Embryology is the study of the fundamental mechanisms underlying normal developmental processes.  Early embryology, from fertilization through cranial/caudal and lateral folding, is in the course.   The embryology of each organ system is taught within the anatomy course. 

Doctor Patient & Society
Doctor-Patient & Society provides an introduction to the importance of the doctor-patient relationship to the process of ethical decision making.  The topics of informed consent, assessment of patient competence, truth telling, confidentiality, and end-of-life decisions, religion, spirituality, and law are examined in several clinical contexts such as acute care, pediatrics, geriatrics, and rehabilitation medicine. Understand the importance of the social context of patient care, developing knowledge and skills in epidemiology, delivery of health services, healthcare manpower, medical economics and the concept of community health. The program also includes a section in interview techniques and History taking in medicine/psychiatry. This will help the students to participate in the case studies more effectively.

Biochemistry & Genetics
This course combines the subjects of biochemistry, genetics, and nutrition. The major topics taught in the course include: BIOCHEMSTRY: --General principles of molecular structure, biochemical reactions, and enzyme kinetics. -- Plasma proteins and enzymes and their diagnostic uses. -- The principles of homeostasis, including acid-base balance, metabolic regulation, and mechanisms of hormone action. -- Metabolic pathways, with emphasis on the major pathways and those that are commonly affected in diseases. -- Clinical nutrition including exposure to local patient populations at the community level. -- Metabolic diseases including both common conditions such as diabetes, mellitus, liver disease, renal failure, and inborn errors of metabolism. The students confront these diseases in the form of case studies that are discussed in class. -- The principles of DNA and RNA structure and gene expression. MEDICAL GENETICS: -- Principles of genetics and mechanisms of genetic diseases. -- Close integration between the basic and clinical aspects of biochemistry and genetics. Concurrently students learn basic scientific principles while being introduced to clinical applications.

Physiology
The Medical Physiology course examines the physiological function and regulation of major organ systems and their components in the human body.  Topics include membranes and transport mechanisms; skeletal, cardiac and smooth muscle; and the cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, gastrointestinal, and endocrine systems.  Instruction is composed of lectures, problem-solving and case-study sessions, and clinical correlation sessions taught by practicing physicians.  The course emphasizes mechanistic and integrative functions of normal physiology and explores abnormal function that occurs in many human diseases.  Computerized Laboratory exercises are available for participative learning.The course enables the student to understand the abnormal mechanisms causing pathology and the remediation through pharmacological manipulations.

Pathology I
Pathology introduces students to the cellular system of each organ and traces the morphological changes in a cell that are responsible for a disease in an organ. As cells undergo alteration, their change in function is studied in respect to its deviation from the "normal" state. Course presentation includes the response of cells, tissues and organs to disease and injury; the normal and adapted cell; degeneration and necrosis, inflammation, fluid and hemodynamic derangements; neoplasia; immunopathology; systemic, environmental and nutritional disease. The course may also address hematological and skin disorders. Lecture discussions are supplemented by a study of gross and microscopic specimens.

Microbiology & Immunology
This course emphasizes the classification, structure, and molecular pathogenesis of clinically-relevant human pathogens among bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. Immunology is taught as a separate section, with emphasis on the molecular mechanisms of antimicrobial and tumor immunology, as well as hypersensitivities, autoimmunity, and transplantation immunology. Lectures, wet laboratories, computer-assisted exercises, and clinical correlation conferences serve to relate the basic science principles to laboratory diagnoses and clinical medicine.

Doctoring I
Behavioral Sciences stresses the complex relationship between psychological make-up and experience, by providing a knowledge base for normative and non-normative human development throughout the life cycle. The course also introduces the student to the behavioral basis of clinical medicine by focusing on common behavioral problems and the circumstances that evoke important behavioral / emotional responses. The concept of culturally competent care will be defined, and the basics of recognizing organic and functional psychological disturbances are described. Workshops on realistic clinical problems are an integral part of this course; sexual dysfunction, bereavement, suicide and sociological disorders received detailed attention. Additionally, the student should develop increased insight into personal functioning and feelings and develop the skills needed to act as an empathetic and effective interviewer and behavioral change agent. The course also introduces the student to psychopathology, addiction medicine, psychopharmacology and other therpautic interventions.

Pathology II (Continuation of Pathology I)
Pathology II applies the basic concepts learned in Pathology I to continue the study of pathologic basis of disease using a physiologic system, or organ-based approach. This course covers male and female genital tracts, and kidney and liver systems. Course presentations include etiology, pathogenesis and morphologic changes in diseases according to organ system. Appropriate use of the laboratory is stressed in the diagnosis of disease while case presentations further emphasize the clinical aspects of the pathologic processes. The course ends with the review of all of pathology.

Pharmacology & Therapeutics
This course concentrates on how chemical and other therapeutic agents (drugs) regulate or modify physiological functions of the body, demonstrating how interactions of drugs with living organisms contribute to diagnosis, prevention, treatment or cure of diseases. Biologic responses, physiological alterations and correction of disorder or disease are discussed for each drug class highlighting receptor interaction, which defines the agent's boundaries of efficacy. Because pharmacology and therapeutics is an integrated science, strong attempt is made to maintain this integrated approach in lectures, tutorials and case studies. Major emphasis will be on principles of pharmacogenetics (pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, adverse drug reactions, teratogenicity, etc.) as well as therapeutics of common drugs used in infectious disease, malignant diseases, and endocrinal disorders.

Doctoring II
This course is designed to introduce students to the basic skills they will need to function as effective clinicians. History taking is reviewed to include specific situations (Pregnant patient, Pediatric patient and surgical patient) and methods. Physical examination skills are taught in practical classes using the latest technological media, including patient stimulators (adult, pediatric and adolescent). The course addresses a range of clinical skills necessary for the future development as a physician, including clinical assessment and plan for the care of patients using library and computer search of evidence based information for patient care. Didactics are blended with laboratory date interpretation, radiology and other imaging techniques, and electrocardiography, introducing core medical information ready for the third and fourth years of clinical training. Critical emphasis is on the development of ethical standards, specialization, as well as education and licensing requirements in the various states. Class size, small-groups facilitate free discussion and pertinent technique demonstrations.

Introduction to Clinical Medicine
ICM starts with orientation and instruction to include proper charting of history and physical and Soap notes, and risk reduction programs. For the next 7 weeks, students will undergo week long clinical rotations in each of the cores namely Family Practice, Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, General Surgery, Ob/Gyn & Pschiatry. Week 8 will be Lab/Procedural week wherein the student will be introduced to new skills like starting peripheral IV lines, blood draws, suturing techniques and doing EKG's. ICM will be conducted at Jackson Park Hospital in Chicago, IL