Preclinical Electives
There are no electives required during the pre-clinical years. However, students have the opportunity to take several courses approved for senior elective credit. Please note that these courses cannot be taken during the clinical years for senior elective credit.
Students may take as many electives in their pre-clinical years, in any combination, as they wish. However, a maximum of only 3 months of senior year elective credit will be awarded as a result of pre-clinical electives. A minimum of one, 4-week clinical elective will be required of all students in their senior year regardless of the amount of elective credit accrued in their pre-clinical years.
Students participating in preclinical electives including CAPP, Medical Spanish, Family Care Track, and approved Law School Courses must earn a minimum grade of "C" in all medical school coursework in order to register for or continue with the elective. Students not meeting this standard will be withdrawn from the course or program upon confirmation of a "D" or "F" in a course. No partial credit will be awarded to students required to withdraw.
Critical Issues in Health Care (PREV 645)
Course Director
Diane Hoffmann, JD
410-706-7191
Conflicts in Health Care (CIPP 931)
Course Director
Roger Wolf, JD
410-706-3836
Students participating in either or both of the two courses listed above will receive one month of elective credit even if both courses are taken.
Medical Spanish (SPAN 547)
Course Directors
Donna Parker, M.D.
410-706-7689
Homeland Security-Bioterrorism (CIPP 905)
Course Director
Michael Greenberg, JD
410-706-3846
A maximum of two months senior elective credit will be awarded for any combination of the 4 elective courses listed above.
Combined Accelerated Program in Psychiatry (PSYH 548)
The Combined Accelerated Program in Psychiatry (CAPP) was initiated in 1970 by the Department of Psychiatry as a major effort to explore new approaches to medical education. This behavioral science-psychiatry track allows selected students to enroll in basic psychiatric specialty training, beginning in and concurrent with the Freshman year and continuing through the four years of medical school. In addition to participating in the psychiatry program, students are required to fulfill all of the requirements of a standard four-year medical curriculum. In admitting students to the program, there is no requirement for any pledge of a career interest in psychiatry.
Students are selected from among applicants with an interest in the social and behavioral aspects of medicine. Twelve students are admitted to the program per year. The track provides, from the first month of the Freshman year, an unfolding progression of combined didactic and clinical experiences in the behavioral sciences and in clinical psychiatry. Most teaching occurs in the 12-member group, seminar-style, and is conducted by senior faculty members. Completion of this four-year program provides two months of Senior-year elective credit and enables the student to graduate from medical school with a foundation of knowledge and skills that is envisioned to be at least equivalent to that provided by one year of traditional residency training in psychiatry. Only about 1/3 of the CAPP students go into Psychiatry.
Course Directors
Francesca Staiti, MD
fstaiti@psych.umaryland.edu
A maximum of two months senior elective credit will be awarded to students participating in CAPP.
Family Care Track (FAPH 547)
Course Director
Richard Colgan, M.D.
410-328-3525
Role of Personal Genomes in Medicine – MEDC 540
Prerequisites:
Successful completion of Year 1 curriculum
Location:
School of Medicine
Description and Goals:
This course will expose trainees to the use of personal genetic and genomic information in clinical medicine. It will cover principles of advanced medical genetics and genomics, complex disorders, laboratory design and execution, as well as ethical, legal, and social issues associated with decision-making, consent, and individualized genomic testing. The laboratory component will afford hands-on experience to allow an appreciation of genomic testing and bioinformatics. This will include exposure to DNA extraction and quantitation, microarray technology using a drug metabolism panel (on their own or an anonymous sample of DNA); and an opportunity to see ‘next-generation’ DNA sequencing using a panel for cancer and/or other common adult conditions. The data will be used to discuss how identification of specific mutations can impact the choice of treatment for cancer patients, but also challenge students to investigate how information about an individual’s genome will profoundly change how a physician may manage health and disease in the near future.
Number of Students: 5-20 (rising MSII students but MSIV may also be interested, but appropriate for both.)
Time of Year Available: Summer (June/July)
Hours: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. (with assignments, lab experience, etc.)
Faculty Responsible:
Miriam G. Blitzer, PhD
Professor and Head, Division of Human Genetics, Pediatrics
(410) 706-4065
Mblitzer@peds.umaryland.edu
Administrative Contact:
Rhea Cosentino
Program Manager, Program in Personalized and Genomic Medicine
(410)706-1078
rcosenti@medicine.umaryland.edu
Last Revision: March 15, 2012