Molecular Basis of Medicine 2007

Bookshelf (online searchable texts)

Stillway's Guide to Flying (pdf document) | (pdf map in color) You will want both. - contains review materials, including multiple-choice questions with explanations and other resources

FROM:

• Eleanor Spicer, Ph.D., Course Director, email | WebPage
• L.William (Bill) Stillway, Ph.D., Senior Co-Director email | WebPage
• Maurizio Del Poeta, M.D., Director of Clincial Applications email | WebPage
  
• Paul McDermott, Ph.D., Co-Director WebPage
• Karl Karnaky, Jr. Ph.D., Co-Director, Cell Biology Component email

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DATE: August 20, 2007

Welcome to Molecular Basis of Medicine (10 Credit hours). The main goal of this course is to give you a basic understanding of concepts at a molecular and cellular level that are fundamental to modern medicine. The outline of the course is contained in the Molecular Basis of Medicine home. In addition to lectures, there is a small-group/research section called Clinical Applications and a Cell Biology laboratory experience. Three laboratory sessions will emphasize basic concepts of subcellular and cellular structure and function. These laboratories will be held in the Cell Biology and Anatomy Department Teaching Modules on the 6th floor of the Basic Science Building. Clinical Applications meet weekly, beginning September 5, with some breaks for tests, holidays, etc. Clincial Applications do not generally involve lectures and are meant for intellectual enrichment in a unique learning environment. Last, all students will write a medically relevant paper in connection with Clinical Applications as explained below. Please be aware that some changes will be made in the schedule as the course progresses.

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Major things you need to do. Make sure you :

• Sign up for a Clinical Application and attend all sessions. Attendance is mandatory to pass the course.
• Begin writing your required paper (Completion of a paper is mandatory to pass the course. Due date: Nov. 28, 2007. Late papers are discounted 20% per day.
• Keep a copy of the schedule handy
• Have the latest versions of the Syllabi and other class materials.
• Study for tests starting now and continue EACH day. Since there is a substantial amount of material, it will be too late if you wait until test week.
• Come to class, study effectively, and get enough R & R.
• Fill out the course evaluation (PACE) at the end of the semester. You will not have access to your grade unless you do so.

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Your Lecture Faculty:

• Christopher Davies, Ph.D., (843-792-1468) - Associate Professor, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology email | WebPage
• Hiroko Hama, Ph.D., (843-792-6949) - Assistant Professor, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology email | WebPage
• Karl Karnaky, Jr. Ph.D., (843-792-5243) - Associate Professor, Cell Biology & Anatomy email | WebPage
• Sergey A. Krupenko, Ph.D. ( 843-792-0845) - Associate Professor, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology email | WebPage
• Paul J. McDermott, Ph.D. (843-789-6839) - Professor, Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine email | WebPage
• L.William (Bill) Stillway Ph.D. ( 843-792-5868) - Professor, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology email | WebPage

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Cell Biology Laboratory:

At MUSC, you will have the advantage of working in one of the most technologically modern teaching laboratories available. Labs will be held as listed below in the Teaching Modules on the 6th floor BSB. (course schedule)

Day	Date	Time
Friday	Nov 16	01:00-05:00
Friday	Nov 30	01:00-05:00
Friday	Dec 07	01:00-05:00

Information on use of the computers, access times, and usage policies are available in the labs.

Cell Biology Laboratory Faculty:

• Timothy Fitzharris, Ph.D. ( 843-792-1150 ) - Professor & Associate Chairman, Cell Biology and Anatomy email
• Karl J. Karnaky, Jr. Ph.D. ( 843-792-5243 ) - Associate Professor, Cell Biology and Anatomy email

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Clinical Applications (Small Groups and Laboratory Research)

You must turn in the sign-up form to Room 512 BSB (NOT BARUCH AUDITORIUM) on and not before August 27, 2007.

Clinical Applications are designed so that you can learn more about specialized medical topics in different settings. There are two formats from which you can choose; each of these is outlined below. Clinical Applications (Small Group Studies) and (Laboratory Research) are scheduled for Wednesdays, 10:00 am - 12:00 noon, beginning September 5. (schedule)

The Clinial Application options are:

1. Small Group Studies
   
2. Laboratory Research

1.  Small Group Studies: A variety of topics and formats are available, but generally in small groups, students research a topic of choice, followed by an oral presentation to the group. Assignments of students to the Small Group Studies are on a first come-first served basis. A list of available Small Group Studies will be provided on the first day of class. Select your first through sixth choices and write the names of the Instructors of these Small Group Studies on the form; return the form to  Room 512 BSB on August 27, 2007 (No forms will be accepted before this date; no forms will be accepted in Baruch Auditorium.).  Specific requirements are outlined below.  Your grade will be given by your Small Group Instructor.  The grade will be based on your class presentation performance, by your written paper and by participation and attendance in class. 

2.  Laboratory Research: Students may opt for laboratory research to fulfill the Clinical Applications requirement. If this is your choice, choose a project and discuss it (as soon as possible) with the faculty member in charge. You are free to consult with any researcher at MUSC, but you must have his/her written permission before signing up for a laboratory project; space is provided for his/her signature on the sign-up form. Your grade will be given by your faculty mentor and will be based on your performance in the laboratory and by your written paper, which will be evaluated by your mentor. Students are expected to spend a minimum of 4 hours/week in the laboratory. Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact Dr. Maurizio Del Poeta, Director of Clinical Applications concerning this.


Requirements:

   1.  Written Paper (required for Small Group Studies and Laboratory Research)

     A)  Small Group Studies
           Briefly summarize the topic that you studied in class (e.g. the research paper or topic that you have presented in class).  In particular, please describe what you have learned from reading the paper(s) and from the class discussion.  For instance, you might have discussed a research paper describing a new therapeutic strategy against HIV.  In your paper, you should briefly describe HIV infection, why it is important, what are the current treatment options and why (if any) a new therapeutic strategy holds promise.  Be critical here, if you disagree with the paper's conclusions or/and with what was discussed in class, feel free to discuss it in your paper.

      B)  Laboratory Research
      Briefly summarize what the goals of your project were and the results of your experiments. Also, describe what you have learned during the time you spent in the lab. For instance, you might have learned to execute a research technique (e.g. DNA gel, electrophoresis, Western blotting, PCR, ELISA, etc.).  In your paper, describe the materials and methods necessary to execute such techniques.  Also, please provide example(s) of what such a technique is used for.  For instance, "capture" ELISA can be used to monitor the level of your favorite protein in the bloodstream). 

        Note:  The paper should be at least 4 (four)  typed, double-spaced pages, excluding Acknowledgments, References, Tables, Figures and Figure legends. At least 5 references should be cited. Please use Times New Roman as the font and at least a 12-point size with 1-inch margins throughout the paper.  Label each page with the page number and your name.  References should not include Wikipedia, but can include internet resources, as well as,  peer reviewed journal articles.

       If you have any questions about the paper, please refer to your specific course Instructor for Small Group Studies or to your  Faculty Mentor for Laboratory Reserch.  Submit one printed copy of the paper to Gwen Bowers, Room 512 BSB no later than November 28, 2007. NO EXCEPTIONS.  If you are in a Small Group Study, you are encouraged to write and submit the paper soon after you give your presentation.

On plagiarism and professional behavior:  The paper cannot be a previously-written paper.  It is not acceptable professional behavior to plagiarize other original works and include such in professional papers. Examples include, but are not limited to, the copying of text, graphs, tables and photos from copyrighted works without full citation and obtaining permission from the copyright holder and/or publisher. Papers with such examples will not be accepted, and could result in a failure in the course and an Honor Code violation, which could result in dismissal from medical school.


    2.  Oral Presentation (Small Group Studies only)
         Students are required to present a paper in class.  This presentation can be done using Power Point or  any other  audiovisual  (i.e. transparencies).  More information will be provided by the Instructor of each small group.


    3.  Participation and Attendance (Small Group Studies and Laboratory Research)
        Students are required to participate in class discussion or in the lab activities.  Students will be required to sign an attandance sheet.  Absence from more than one session will result in an automatic failure in the Clinical Application section.

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TEXTBOOKS and SYLLABI

Textbooks: Support your local bookstore. The Matthews MUSC Bookstore has a supply of texts. They also carry many of the medical instruments you will be needing in medical school.

Textbooks on the Web: There are many resources available on the web, including searchable texts that are recent, but not current editions. Click HERE to check it out. You will want to bookmark this URL.

For the biochemistry portion of the course, we recommend (but we do not require) Basic Medical Biochemistry, 2nd Edition by Smith, Marks and Lieberman; Lippincott Williams and Wilkins. ISBN 0-7817-2145-8.

Other useful biochemistry texts: Syllabi
Biochemistry portion: The 1st section of the Molecular Basis Medicine Syllabus can be picked up from 2:30 - 4:30 pm, Monday, August 20, 2007 in Room 501 BSB .

Cell Biology portion: This may be picked up from the Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy at a later date to be announced. This contains:

• Cell Biology Lecture Guides
• Cell Lab Exercises a laboratory guide
  

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Exams: (Please review College of Medicine Exam Policy)

• Regular Exams: Two regular exams and a final exam will be given as a part of a comprehensive test during test weeks, as shown on the schedule. 
• Final Cell Lab Practical Exam: Additionally, there will be one laboratory practical exam given on December 12, 2007. This exam will be computer administered and will cover material from the three labs in November/December. The exams will have an allotted time of 30-45 minutes and will consist of 25-40 questions. Sign-up sheets will be provided so that this exam can be coordinated with the practical exam in the Anatomical Basis of Medicine course. schedule
• Practice Tests: A non-credit comprehensive practice test will be available on Friday, Sept. 21. This will consist of representative questions from Anatomical Basis of Medicine, Molecular Basis of Medicine and the Doctoring Curriculum. There will also be a Cell Biology practice test.
• Pop Quizzes: Pop quizzes may be utilized. They will count a maximum of 2 points each, which will be added to the final average. No make-ups will be given.
• Exam Errors: It has been our experience that new test items on multiple choice exams sometimes contain errors. Any such test questions will be considered for omission from the test if brought to our attention after the test. Please do not hesitate to present your case to the instructor responsible for a particular question.

  See College of Medicine Examination Policy

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 Grades:

Grades will be derived from final averages according to the College of Medicine grading scale. T-scores (grading on the curve) will not be used. To see the Grading Scales, click HERE.

Qualifications To Pass:

• The average from the exam portion of the course must be 70 or higher. If the exam average is 69.5 or below, the Clinical Applications grade, as well as any extra credit may not be used to achieve a passing score.
• If you are repeating the course, you must have a 75 test average. If the exam average is 74.5 or below, the Clinical Applications grade, as well as any extra credit may not be used to achieve a passing score.
• All students must complete Clinical Applications to pass the course. Attendance is mandatory. More than one unexcused absence will result in an automatic failure. The Clincial Applications grade counts toward the final grade only if the test average is 70.
• All students must submit an acceptable paper to pass the course. The paper must not be a previously written work. Failure to observe this will result in an automatic failure of the course. Late submissions will be discounted 20% per day.
• The course evaluation must be completed by each student. Access to grades will be denied if the evaluation is not completed.
• The contribution of each grading factor is shown below.   For more details, click HERE.

Activity	Percent
Exam I	26
Exam II	26
Final Practical Exam	12
Clinical Applications	10
Final Exam	26

 

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Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Copier Use:

The department copying machine is available for copying materials for Clinical Application presentations ONLY. Contact Gwen Bowers, Room 512 BSB between 9:00 AM and 4:30 PM,  Monday-Friday. Transparencies should be limited to 12 unless you have written permission from your faculty Clincial Applications director to do more. All other (non-clinical application-related) copying must be done at your expense in the library or off-campus.