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.

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

Focused examination of medical bionics with emphasis on solutions that enable the disabled and detailed discussions and evaluations of the social and technological aspects of bionic medical devices.

An introduction to transformation of a single cell into a mature organism.

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.

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.