First Year

Microbiology

Course Number: MDC-6017A

The Microbiology course is an introduction to the common microorganisms which cause human disease.  It will focus on the biology of these organisms. Students will analyze the interactions of the pathogens with our immune system.  In addition, students will be able to apply the principles of the biology of these pathogens to predict their response to major therapeutic agents and explain emergence of drug resistance.  This course will demonstrate how knowledge of microbiology will help in diagnosing and treating infectious diseases.

This block is comprised of lectures, interdisciplinary cases, web-based modules (self-learning), small group sessions and laboratory exercises.  There are several types of small group exercises in this block.  PathTalks are small group sessions which provide instruction in the morphological analysis of images of gross tissue and microscopic slides. These images are used as a basis for reviewing the concepts and facts of pathology.  POPS (Patient-Oriented-Problem-Solving) are student run exercises in which students will learn to apply basic science to clinical problems. Emphasis is on student-directed learning as the students will look up relevant facts and teach one another.  In Jigsaw sessions students will apply the knowledge they have acquired to solving clinical problems while working efficiently as a group. Students will gather skills necessary to effectively teach and learn from their peers.

During this eight week block there will be a variety of laboratory exercises. In the Histology Lab the students will review histology slides of Immune tissue.  In the Bacteriology Labs students will learn bacterial isolation techniques for clinical samples and learn to identify organisms based on microscopy, morphology, and biochemical tests.