Education

Undergraduate Medical Education

The pathology course for medical students examines the mechanisms of disease and its correlations with abnormalities in function. During the first year of medical school, students study basic disease mechanisms in the general pathology section of the course. The general pathology curriculum includes five major blocks of topics (cell injury, death, inflammation and repair, hemodynamic disorders, immune diseases, neoplasms and infectious diseases), which are taught utilizing relevant current principles of molecular biology, immunology, biochemistry, and other disciplines to understand disease mechanisms. During the second year, these fundamentals are applied to the various organ systems in a series of pathophysiology courses taught in association with members of related clinical departments. The courses in pathology utilize a wide range of instructional methods to provide a strong foundation in the basic principles of altered function, including lectures, laboratory exercises, small group discussions, and computer-assisted instruction. Several elective courses are given in conjunction with the second-year course to provide additional experience with disease processes. Students are also encouraged to attend departmental conferences and to participate in research projects.

Many elective courses are offered in anatomic, clinical, and experimental pathology. The elective course in Autopsy Pathology has been very popular. These electives include a wide range of pathology subspecialties, and may even be tailored to fit individual needs. Most may be elected in the second through fourth years of medical school.

Courses in cellular and molecular aspects of pathology, environmental pathology, and laboratory methods, including computerized image analysis as well as rotations in departmental laboratories, are offered to graduate students in biomedical sciences. All students acquire a strong background and laboratory experience in experimental pathology.

Education Programs Offered