BIOL 105-01, Topics in Biology: Biology of Medicine, Summer 2012

Abstract

The course will be divided into a series of subtopics that each focus on an aspect of medical science. Subtopics will be devoted to a particular type of disease or system, e.g. cancer, genetic diseases, diabetes, bacterial and viral infections, cardiovascular disease, etc. Lectures and readings will provide students with the basic science necessary to understand the disease processes and available diagnostic procedures and treatments. Readings will range from textbook chapters to science publications for a lay audience to scientific and medical journal review and research articles. Discussion will develop the students’ sense of impact of medical science and particular diseases on human history, economics, politics, philosophy, etc. The overall goal will be to provide a solid scientific foundation upon which students may participate in important decisions regarding healthcare for themselves and society at large.