Fall 2025

Development of academic strategies and exploration of pre-professional preparation for careers in medicine and healthcare. Open only to students in the Keck PREP Scholars Program.

Introduction to and discussion on clinically relevant topics such as social determinants of health, medical ethics and legal and regulatory aspects, in preparation for experience in the clinical setting.

An introduction to professionalism and skills required in the practice of medicine and careers in health care.

An exploration of the practice of primary care medicine which will discuss what primary care is and differences between primary care and specialist care.

Explores the role of medicine/surgery in society, whose ideas about health and disease have undergone enormous changes from antiquity to the present day.

Examines collective experiences of historical trauma in various populations through a macro lens, focusing on promotion of mental health equity in impacted populations.

Examine the impact of adversity experienced during childhood with social development and neurodevelopment throughout the lifecycle and the bi-directional relationship with society through a trauma lens.

Explores ways that changing climate affects individual and collective mental health, including concepts related to building individual and collective resilience to environmental threats.

Explores evidence-based interdisciplinary team care in healthcare, focusing on roles of mental health professionals on these teams and communication amongst professionals in different disciplines.

Examines dynamics of gender-based harm and impacts to individuals, communities and society through sociocultural theoretical approaches through course lecture, group discussion, self-reflection and critical thinking.

Explores the science behind altruism, volunteerism, compassion and how helping others impacts individuals physically, psychologically and behaviorally through lectures, projects and experiential learning.

Introduction to human anatomy and physiology in relation to common disease processes, and an examination of how technology has transformed western medicine throughout history.

Study of the human brain through the lens of disease using illustrative case studies, current imaging techniques and potential future treatment for neurological conditions such as Alzheimer's disease.

The neurochemistry of psychiatric illness and addiction, introduction to brain and nervous system biochemistry, anatomy and disease states. Covers prescribed medications and drugs of abuse.

Overview of the cellular make-up of the human skeleton, the functions of bones, clinical application of this knowledge towards bone-related diseases, and introduction to technological advances in orthopedic surgery.

A theoretical basis of laboratory approaches that help the biomedical or physician scientist in understanding the etiology of disease and targeting disease processes.

An examination of frequently treated diseases with the greatest impact on society. Involvement of medical specialists as guests.

Overview of the biological processes involved in vertebrate development and regeneration, including the cellular interactions and signal transduction pathways guiding organ development and repair.

Basic medical and developmental concepts that are important during the infant, child and adolescent phases of life, as well as guest lectures from health care professionals in the pediatric field.

Emphasizes the team-based approach used by forensic scientists, medical examiners and coroners to investigate the circumstances and determine the cause/manner of death. Prerequisites: BISC 220 or BISC 221 and MEDS 220. Open only to sophomores, juniors, and seniors.

Introduction to the spectrum of surgical care, taught by surgeons, with the goal of developing an appreciation of the role that surgery plays in society. Prerequisites: BISC 220 or BISC 221 and CHEM 103 or CHEM 105a or CHEM 115a and MEDS 220. Open only to juniors and seniors.

The basic aspects of cancer biology, prevention, diagnosis and therapy, as well as guest lectures by oncology researchers and health professionals.

Principles of emergency medical services, ranging from pre-hospital care and advanced life-saving, to minor injuries and illnesses. Interactive experience with ER physicians/emergency health care providers. Prerequisites: BISC 220 or BISC 221 and MEDS 220. Recommended preparation: MEDS 260.

Individual research and readings.

Explores the social determinants of health through supervised on-site practicum with the Community Health Advocates Team at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles and didactic sessions.

Exploration of global health issues facing resource-poor societies; emphasizes contributing factors including behavioral and physiological bases, economic, social, and political context.

Introduction to basic medical concepts and biological system functions; examination of core principles of science and medical treatment.

Continuation of concepts from MEDS 503L: basic medical concepts and biological system functions; examination of core principles of science and medical treatment.

Critical issues in international control and treatment of malaria. Exploration of biological and epidemiological fundamentals of human-parasite interaction including dynamics of transmission among populations.

Examination of prevalent tropical diseases: epidemiology, clinical manifestations, treatment, impact on economies of tropical countries. Key issues related to these diseases; World Health Organization responses.

Practical approach to the development of professional skills for providing culturally sensitive clinical health services to ethnically and linguistically diverse patients.

Better understand the key issues impacting global oral health, how better care can help reduce the disease prevalence, and ways to prepare the next generation of global health leaders to address the key issues. Open only to Global Medicine majors.

Fundamentals of physiology, chemistry, anatomy, biochemistry and microbiology, as well as pharmacological issues, mathematical basis of lab instruments or techniques, and computational modeling

A conceptual framework for understanding global challenges faced in the management of non-communicable diseases, including heart disease, diabetes, chronic lung disease, and cancer.

Survey of the specific roles each member of an interprofessional health team plays in the provision of care, based on their professional training. Application of diverse health professional expertise to case studies in healthcare.

Research leading to the master's degree. Maximum units which may be applied to the degree to be determined by the department. Graded CR/NC.