Electives for Third Year Students

FY 2004-05

Interdisciplinary

BENG 225. BioBusiness: Starting, Growing & Harvesting a Biotech Company

Participants will study and analyze start-up proposals, the genesis of the biotech industry, biotech categories & growth strategies; the process of spinning out viable product concepts from academia, financing techniques, business development, acquisition/IPO valuation methods & potentially disruptive technologies. Fall quarter.

FPM 233. Clinical Nutrition

Clinical nutrition is the study of nutrition and diet as related to the prevention and treatment of human disease. Nutrition is an interdisciplinary field of study, built on a foundation of biomedical and behavioral sciences. This course emphasizes class discussion of clinical topics and assigned readings in current areas of research and practice (i.e., diet and cancer, vitamin and other diet supplements), with case studies and illustrative class exercises. Fall quarter.

FPM 251 A,B,C. Conversational Spanish for Medical Students-Beginning Level

This course is designed to develop the ability to communicate and relate to Spanish-speaking patients. Special emphasis is given to developing interviewing skills to obtain a complete medical history in Spanish. Clinical experiences in Spanish-speaking communities are featured in order to practice interviewing skills while culturally immersed. This course is open to beginners with little or no background. Fall, Winter, and Spring quarters.
NOTE: Since the purpose of the whole course is to acquire oral proficiency, enrollment is required for all three consecutive quarters (full academic year). A certificate of accomplishment will be issued at the conclusion of the course.

FPM 254 A,B,C. Conversational Spanish for Medical Students-Intermediate Level

This course is designed to develop and enhance the working knowledge of medical Spanish that will enable students to communicate and relate to Spanish-speaking patients. Special emphasis is given to develop interviewing skills to obtain a complete medical history and to perform physical examinations and procedures in Spanish. Clinical experiences in Spanish-speaking communities of San Diego are featured in order to practice interviewing skills while culturally immersed.
NOTE: Since the purpose of the course is to acquire oral proficiency, enrollment is required for all three consecutive quarters unless proficiency is demonstrated earlier. The course is open in the spring quarter for selected intermediate/advanced students who may achieve proficiency in one quarter. Certificate of accomplishment/proficiency will be issued on completion of the course. Fall, Winter, and Spring quarters.

FPM 272. Community Advocacy

Prerequisite: medical student.
The UCSD Student-Run Free Clinic Project operates in partnership with two community programs for the homeless and an inner-city elementary school. Students participate in didactic sessions learning principles of working with the underserved and are supervised in clinical, health education, and administrative roles at the clinic sites. Fall, winter, spring quarters.

PEDS 247. Health Education Outreach Elective

Students develop and administer the education components of the DOC FOR A DAY event. This event takes place as a component of community programs geared towards exposing inner city youth to the possibility of pursuing a career in science or medicine, involves the students working in small groups with youngsters, teaching physical exams, neurological exams, and anatomy. The students will also hold a panel discussing issues that they face in entering a career in medicine. The event is most likely in early November at the UCSD campus and usually takes five-six hours including lunch. The group will meet formally three times to develop the curriculum. Attendance in these meetings is required. Fall quarter.

PHAR 231. Contemporary Topics in Pharmacology

Fundamental concepts of modern biochemical and molecular pharmacology are given. Areas covered include ion channels and pumps, membrane energetics, nucleotide cyclases, Na+-mediated solute transport, enzymatic protein modification and hepatic drug metabolism, chemical carcinogenesis, lipid modulators, chemotherapy and receptor/ligand interactions. Fall, winter, and spring quarters.

SOM 214. Hematology

This course covers the physiology and pathophysiology of blood cells and blood cell-forming organs. The format is one of small group discussions of assigned readings and clinical case problems and includes an introduction to blood cell morphology. Fall quarter.

SOMI 222. Advanced Cardiac Life Support

Advanced cardiac life support provides training in the physiology, pharmacology, and practical skills necessary to direct the resuscitation of the victim of cardiac arrest. Successful completion yields certification as a provider in ACLS by the American Heart Association. Fall, winter, and spring quarters.

SOMI 224. Pediatric Advanced Life Support

PALS is a two-day course in pediatric resuscitation. It is the pediatric equivalent of ACLS, approved by the American Heart Association. The course covers epidemiology, physiology, assessment, and treatment of pediatric cardiopulmonary arrests. It also covers pediatric cardiac dysrhythmias and newborn resuscitation. Fall, winter, and spring quarters.

SPPS 261. Human Teratology

This course will provide an overview of the field of teratology with emphasis on specific medications used during pregnancy and the risk for congenital anomalies. Students will acquire the ability to critically evaluate data and apply it to individual risk assessment. Fall quarter.

Radiopharmaceuticals (course number pending)

The course will introduce the physical and chemical properties of radiopharmaceuticals. Emphasis will be placed on preparation, quality control, pharmacology, and image interpretation. The fundamentals of radiopharmaco-kinetics and radiation dosimetry will also be introduced and used to explore safe handling practices and regulatory issues. Spring quarter.

Updated January 2005