BPM 501 Basic Principles of Medicine II

The Course Basic Principles of Medicine 2 (BPM2) is a 17-credit course taught over 18 weeks in Term 2 of the Doctor of Medicine (MD) program of St George’s University School of Medicine, Grenada, and within the Keith B Taylor Global Scholar’s Program (KBT GSP), in collaboration with Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK. It is part two of an organ system-based curriculum for the first academic year of the Basic Sciences program. BPM2 consists of the remaining three systems-based modules in Year 1, which are taught consecutively:

• Endocrinology and Reproduction: 3 weeks

• Digestion and Metabolism: 5 weeks

• Neurosciences and Behavioral Sciences: 10 weeks

Endocrinology and Reproduction

In this module, students learn the gross and microscopic structure, physiology, biochemical processes and metabolic disorders in relation to endocrine organs. This module also includes the study of gross and developmental anatomy, physiology, microscopic anatomy and cell biology of the male and female reproductive systems. With this knowledge a student learns to integrate and apply it to the cadaver in wet lab sessions and micrographs and radiological images in small group sessions. At the end of each system, two to three pathological conditions are explained through micrographs and imaging relevant to the specific organ systems. Developmental genetics, genetic screening techniques and facts about nutrition in relation to neonates, infants and elderly are also covered in this module. At the end of this module students will appreciate the normal structure and functions of these organ systems and will be able to correlate pathological outcome due to abnormal changes within the respective tissue.

Digestion and Metabolism

In the Digestion and Metabolism module, students learn the anatomy and histology of the digestive system and actively integrate it with the biochemistry and physiological function of this organ system. Students familiarize themselves with the digestion and metabolism of the macromolecules: carbohydrates, lipids and proteins and their nutritional significance. Special emphasis is placed on the inborn errors of metabolism associated with each of these metabolic pathways and the lab tests and the molecular basis for the clinical signs and symptoms of these disorders. The module is interspersed with clinical cases and study of imaging and histology of the gastrointestinal tract. Clinical cases on inborn errors of intermediary metabolism and metabolic disorders would enhance the understanding of the importance of these aspects of metabolism.

Neurosciences & Behavioral Sciences

This module is an interdisciplinary study of the function of the head and neck and the nervous system, entailing almost simultaneously its anatomy, histology, physiology, biochemistry and some pharmacology and pathophysiology. The module also includes behavioral science (psychopathology), life span development and learning theory. Neurological and psychiatric case studies are presented as an integral component wherever possible. The overall goal of the course is to provide a contemporary and thorough knowledge as a basis for understanding the effects of damage to the head, neck and nervous system as seen in general clinical medicine and in specialties such as Neurology, Neurosurgery, Psychiatry and Ophthalmology.