Pikeville College - School of Osteopathic Medicine

Basic Science

Gross Anatomy

This clinically-oriented course introduces the student to the macroscopic structure of the human body using a regional approach. Emphasis is placed on the correlation between anatomical structure and function, clinical application, and usage of correct anatomical terminology. Resources used during the laboratory portion include cadaver dissection, radiographs, MRIs, CT scans, OP&P and orthopedic clinical correlation.

Medical Embryology

Principles, mechanisms and major events of human development are the focus of this course. Principles through which molecular and cellular processes give rise to diverse tissue types are discussed. The means through which genetic and extrinsic factors give rise to developmental abnormalities also are explored. Study of the emergence of human form is oriented towards its relation to gross anatomy, on the one hand, and to pathological conditions that have a developmental basis, on the other.

Medical Pathology

This course addresses how the body responds to injury, at every level from the molecule to the whole person, and provides an introduction to the diseases of humankind beginning with general principles and finishing with an active-learning sequence on intelligent use of hospital lab. Specific course outline, learning objectives and syllabi will be provided at the beginning of each semester.

Cell Biology and Microanatomy

This combined lecture and laboratory course explores functional anatomy principally at the light and electron microscopic levels. Study of basic cell structure, the functions of cellular organelles and the relationship between ultrastructure and cellular function provide foundations for further study of the basic sciences. This course further highlights the intimate relationship between structure and function through the study of the functional morphology of diverse cell types, their organization into tissues and the properties of these tissues. In addition, this course examines contributions made by coherent organization of tissues into organs to human form (gross anatomy) and function (physiology) and provides a foundation for how its distortion correlates with disease.

Neuroscience

In this course the morphology, circuitry, function and clinical applications of neuroanatomy are presented in lecture, clinical conference and laboratory session. The neuroanatomical basis of the neurological examination and case histories are integrated into the lecture and clinical conferences. The students study major cases, are involved in interactive role-playing and give case presentations to reinforce the neuroanatomical basis of the neurological examination. Laboratory studies use human specimens and high resolution video to learn brain and spinal cord topography, the meninges and blood vessels. This course emphasizes the application of neuroanatomical knowledge to clinical situations as well as the development of fundamental neuro-analytical skills.

Medical Biochemistry and Genetics

Human biochemistry is the study of the human body at the molecular level. Both normal and aberrant process will be studied to better obtain a grasp of the diseased state. The core portion of this course will stress the fundamentals of biochemistry and will be categorized into seven major functions. The sections include:

1. the structure and function of protein;
2. intermediary metabolism;
3. the storage and expression of genetic information;
4. carbohydrate metabolism;
5. lipid metabolism;
6. nitrogen metabolism; and
7. the integration of the above metabolic processes.

Dispersed among the above lectures will be clinical relevant material (case histories) to aid in the understanding of both normal and pathological biochemical processes.

Nutrition

Nutrients are the constituents of food necessary to sustain the normal functions of life. The constituents provide both energy and “essential” molecules that either cannot be synthesized by the body or cannot be synthesized at a rate sufficient to meet the demands of growth and maintenance. Essential nutrients include specific amino acids, fatty acids, vitamins and minerals. Classical vitamin deficiency will be presented from a historical perspective, while the main emphasis of the course will concentrate upon nutrition and chronic disease, e.g., coronary heart disease, diabetes, alcoholism, and cancer. Additionally, special dietary requirements of pregnant women, neonates, and the elderly will by discussed from the viewpoint that correct nutrition can improve the health and lifestyles of all individuals.

Medical Ethics

This class offers the student a basic understanding of ethical principles (beneficence, distributive justice, etc.) and major ethical theories (Kant, utilitarianism, moral theology, etc.) which she or he can then apply to the issues facing the medical community today such as abortion, assisted suicide, research and malpractice. Discussion is a required and necessary element of the class in gaining an understanding of these issues.

Medical Immunology

This course will cover all of the major topics in both basic and clinical immunology. Topics include: cells and organs of the immune system, B cell development and activation, T cell development and activation, major histocompatibility complex, antigen processing and presentation, antibody diversity, tolerance, complement, cytokines, inflammation, hypersensitivity, vaccination, autoimmunity and immunodeficiency diseases and host pathogen interactions. Case presentations will be discussed.

Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases

This course presents virology, bacteriology, mycology, and parasitology from a medical standpoint, emphasizing morphology, physiology, life history, pathogenicity, epidemiology, diagnosis, therapy and prevention. A case history/problem-solving approach to infectious diseases will be incorporated into the last part of the course and will emphasize such clinical aspects as etiology, patient management, specimen collection, laboratory tests, pathologic findings and prognosis.

Pharmacology

This course is an in-depth study of medical pharmacology emphasizing the basis for applied clinical therapeutics. All major classes of pharmacological agents used by today’s physician are evaluated. Cellular mechanisms of action are studied in detail, particularly with regard to pathological abnormalities. When applicable, case studies involving applied therapeutics are utilized to illustrate the pharmacological basis of drug therapy.

Medical Physiology

Physiology is the study of the function of living organisms, especially of the mechanisms that maintain homeostasis despite greatly changing environmental conditions. This course is a comprehensive study of normal human physiology. It presents material organized by system and focuses on the properties of living cells and tissues and the structure and function of organ systems, with an emphasis on integration and control. Within each section the emphasis is on normal function of the system and its normal interactions with the other systems. Nevertheless, the students are introduced to some aspects of abnormal function in terms of how these disorders may be viewed as failures of the internal regulatory systems, or of their inability to cope with an external interference. Physiology is very much a problem-solving discipline. The major class activities are lectures and case-based small group discussions. The goal of the small group discussions is to assist in developing skills at solving problems in physiological medicine that the students need to become highly qualified physicians.

Medical Writing and Research

This course requires students to properly research and prepare a personal Web site.

Current Issues in Medicine

Osteopathic Primary Care Physicians and other professionals will present lectures on specific topics related to the practice of Primary Care Medicine, especially in rural or medically underserved areas of the country.

Community and Behavioral Medicine

Under the aegis of this two-year course, topics ranging from the behavioral sciences to health care systems management are covered with emphasis on the process of clinical decision making. PCSOM curriculum goals regarding lifelong learning, self-care, ethics, and social and community contexts of care are addressed. Other topics include biological correlates of behavior, behavioral genetics, personality, learning and behavioral change, lifespan development, communication and interaction, group processes, family and community, sociocultural patterns of behavior, behavioral risk factors and disease, health care systems, behavioral statistics and design and medical jurisprudence.

Journal Club

With physician involvement, the student is required to attend and present clinical journal articles, to research clinical topics and discuss the specific article presented.