M2 Year

Cardiovascular

Cardiovascular is a 5-week course that integrates structure and function of the cardiovascular systems. It provides students with fundamental understanding of normal and abnormal functions as well as disease processes of both systems. These fundamental insights prepare students to increase their knowledge about the major diseases of these systems. This course reinforces and advances the foundational understanding of therapeutic modalities involving these systems. Students are introduced to diagnosis, including medical imaging and other diagnostic techniques, and treatment of diseases of the cardiovascular systems. Small group sessions use clinical case study to illuminate fundamental principles of biology and therapeutics.

Pulmonary

Pulmonary is a 4-week course that integrates the structure and function of the pulmonary system with disease processes. It provides students with fundamental understanding of normal and abnormal functions as well as disease processes. These fundamental insights prepare students to appreciate major diseases of the pulmonary system. This course reinforces and advances the foundational understanding of therapeutic modalities. Students are introduced to diagnosis, including medical imaging and other diagnostic techniques, and treatment of diseases of the pulmonary system. Small group sessions use clinical case study to illuminate fundamental principles of biology and therapeutics.

Endocrine

Disorders of endocrine systems encompass some of the most common problems encountered by practicing physicians, result in substantial morbidity and mortality to patients, and represent a massive economic burden to our society. The Endocrine Sciences portion of the course encompasses a plan of study resulting in a thorough understanding of the principles of hormone action and hormonal systems, and the physiology of the major endocrine systems. Students learn the pathophysiologic mechanisms by which these systems may become deranged, and how these derangements present clinically in the form of classic endocrine disorders. Students learn the appropriate approach to patients with endocrine disorders, using diagnostic testing algorithms and pharmacologic agents based on a logical application of their knowledge of endocrine biochemistry, physiology and pathophysiology. Students are exposed to the essential anatomy, pathology, histopathology and radiology of normal and abnormal endocrine organs.

Gastroenterology (GI)

The Gastroenterology course is intended to train medical students in the fundamentals of the biomedical sciences of gastroenterology. The building blocks taught here are ultimately designed to prepare physicians to handle the complexities of the ever-demanding world of gastroenterology. The Gastroenterology course is 4 weeks in the second year. This course is designed to focus on the biochemistry, pathophysiology, anatomy, histology and embryology signs and symptoms, diagnostic methods, and treatment modalities of GI, Hepatic and Biliopancreatic diseases and nutrition. The format is intended to introduce new concepts as well as advance prior instruction in an integrative fashion. The learning formats consist of didactics reinforced by small group sessions (i.e. - Active Learning Groups, TBL/POPS (Patient Oriented Problem Solving), Scholar’s Workshops, Foundations of Medical Practice and self- directed learning) on a rotating basis. This instruction is supplemented with laboratory exercises and self-directed learning via texts and internet-based electronic resources.

Urology and Renal Systems (Uro-Renal)

The Urology and Renal Systems course is designed for the student to gain knowledge of the anatomical features (embryological, neonatal and adult) of the Uro-renal system, at the gross and histologic levels, and by combining this with their cellular/molecular/ physiological background obtained through the Fundamentals Course and within, develop a basic understanding of its corresponding roles in normal physiology. This will include material directed to metabolic waste removal, electrolyte/acid-base balance, hormonal and blood pressure regulation, fertility, micturition, sexual organ function, and congenital or genetic anomalies. On the backbone of this basic knowledge, the student will gain a greater perspective of how dysfunction can lead to pathophysiologic conditions and the most appropriate and informative diagnostic tests that will lead to a rapid, precisely targeted therapeutic approach to normalize patient health. The student should build upon these concepts with self-directed learning and motivation for life-long learning.

Week on the Wards II

Week-on-the-Wards II (WOW 2) is a one-week course that enables M2 students to spend a week in a specific discipline in the Cooper University Health Care system. This opportunity affords students an excellent opportunity to experience an area they are considering for a career or one that they wish to learn more about.

Introduction to Obstetrics and Gynecology (OB/GYN)

The M2 Introduction to Obstetrics and Gynecology curriculum enables medical students to explore the care of the female patient utilizing a multidisciplinary approach. The course provides an understanding in the foundation of basic sciences and pathophysiological aspects of common clinical syndromes and diseases in women’s health. At the conclusion of this four-week curriculum, the student will have a better understanding of common women’s health issues and the appropriate need for the interaction of multiple disciplines to achieve these goals. The student experiences learning in a variety of media; lecture, FLIP, case-based, anatomy and histology labs, small group, role playing, team-based and self-directed learning.

Allergy and Otolaryngology (ENT - Allergy)

The Allergy and Otolaryngology (ENT) course is a four-week course. The main goal of the course is to ensure that all medical school graduates have a sound understanding of basic principles related to otolaryngology and allergy. The allergy module focuses on reinforcing and advancing the basic science taught in Fundamentals by placing this information in clinical context. Students learn the indications for, and interpretation of, various relevant diagnostic methods, including blood tests, skin testing, laryngoscopy, tympanometry and audiometry. They become familiar with relevant therapeutics, including pharmacology.

Neurology-Psychiatry (Neuro-Psych)

The Neurology-Psychiatry course is a six-week course that provides students with an introduction to the interrelated fields of Neurology and Psychiatry. Students gain knowledge of neurological and psychiatric disorders and how they affect patients and their support systems. This course introduces students to the humanistic approach to patients with chronic debilitating or life-threatening diseases, emphasizing empathy, respect, and a code of medical ethics. The foundation is set for exploration of these fields by reinforcing and advancing the relevant anatomy, histology, embryology, immunology, genetics, physiology, and biochemistry introduced in the Fundamentals course. Students learn the pathology and pathophysiology of the spectrum of neurologic and psychiatric diseases, and their clinical manifestations. They have an opportunity to become familiar with the range of applicable diagnostic methods – including specific history-taking and physical exam skills and imaging modalities – and therapeutics. Students learn to formulate a thorough biopsychosocial diagnostic and treatment plan. Emphasis in the Neurology module is on identification, functional significance and connectivity within the neural system to develop a thorough understanding of the complexity of the nervous system. This is used as a platform to examine the variety of pathology found in the nervous system and reason for its resulting impairment.

Ambulatory Clerkship II

Ambulatory Clerkship is a three-year interprofessional course where students work in teams of M1, M2, and M3 students to provide free patient care for uninsured patients at the Cooper Rowan Clinic, under the supervision of clinical faculty and residents. The medical student teams provide care based upon their level of proficiency within their curricular year. M1 students handle history taking; M2 students the physical examination; and M3 students fill in gaps as necessary based on the time of year and ability of the M1 and M2 students to complete an examination, in addition to reporting out to the faculty and leading the discussion for the differential diagnosis and treatment plan. Medical student teams work with University of the Sciences PharmD student teams (P1, P2, and P3 levels), who provide patient education and assist with medication choices and dosage and operation of the student-run pharmacy offered at the clinic. A Rutgers University graduate social work student is present at the clinic on a daily basis to support patients with their non-medical needs and challenges to their health care compliance, such as housing or food insecurity. Rutgers Doctor of Physical Therapy Program students see patients two times per month at the Cooper Rowan Clinic. They work with patients with a wide variety of conditions, including musculoskeletal and nerve injuries, arthritis and chronic pain. Faculty from all programs (medicine, pharmacy, social work, nursing, and physical therapy) work with and teach all students involved at the clinic.

Scholar's Workshop II

The Scholars Workshop course is a four-year longitudinal curriculum that addresses biostatistics, epidemiology, quality and patient safety, health care disparities, research, research ethics, and other related topics. A culminating capstone project is completed in the M3 and M4 years; the capstone includes a thesis and poster presentation.

Foundations of Medical Practice II

Foundations of Medical Practice is a two-year doctoring course. Students have didactic and practical sessions to develop interpersonal communication and physical examination skills, in addition to developing cultural competency skills and addressing ethical issues in health care.

Selectives

Medical Humanities Selectives are short courses (6 sessions, 12 instructional hours) focusing on topics related to the medical humanities (figurative and performing arts, ethics, law, etc.) that occur in the spring semester of M1 and fall semester of M2. CMSRU offers eight to twelve different courses from a wide variety of topics each semester.