Depiction of Integrated Curriculum

The first major component of the curriculum consists of the Didactic or Pre-Clinical Phase.

The exciting curriculum consists of a ‘triple helix model’ with three strands that extend throughout the MPAS curriculum.  The three strands are:

  • Mechanisms of Health and Disease (MOHD)
  • Medicine and Society (MAS)
  • Clinical and Professional Skills (CAPS)

Fall Semester 1 Schedule and Descriptions

Course #Course TitleSemester Hours
 OSAC-UIHC Compliance M1/PA1 Class0
ACB:8101Medical Gross Human Anatomy5
MED:8121Clinical and Professional Skills I3
MED:8122Medicine and Society I3
MED:8123Foundations of Cellular Life5
MED:8124Mechanisms of Health and Disease I8
 Total Hours24

 

OSAC-UIHC Compliance M1/PA1 Class 0 s.h.

This is a 1-week mandatory online course with compliance modules, attestation and assessment quizzes to be completed in a self-directed manner in ICON. Content is mainly safety-related and is required for all CCOM students prior to any patient contact at University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics. Requirements:  M.D. or PA enrollment.

ACB:8101 Medical Gross Human Anatomy 5 s.h.

A complete dissection of the body with regional emphasis stressing relationships to the living system; clinically relevant areas of radiologic imaging, surface anatomy, embryology, and clinical correlations; and anatomical knowledge through lectures, small group work, independent activities.  Offered Fall semesters.  Requirements:  M.D. or PA enrollment.

MED:8121 Clinical and Professional Skills I 3 s.h.

Introduction to concepts of clinical reasoning, communication, physical examination, and evidence-based clinical practice; principles of biomedical ethics; early clinical interactions and placement of classroom experiences into the context of patient care through the Early Clinical Experiences (ECE) program; and interaction with students from other health sciences colleges to explore the interprofessional approach to caring for patients.  Requirements:  M.D. or PA enrollment.

MED:8122 Medicine and Society I 3 s.h.

Delivery of individual disease prevention/health promotion services; introduction to social determinants of health; influence and impact of culture and community on health care; community resources; and application of health and risk assessment to individual patients and self.  Requirements:  M.D. or PA enrollment.

MED:8123 Foundations of Cellular Life 5 s.h.

Genetics, embryology, molecular biology, biochemistry, cell biology, and histology; molecular events required for cellular life; how cells grow and interact to form basic tissues of the human body; and a necessary framework to explore six mechanisms of health and disease.  Requirements:  M.D. or PA enrollment.

MED:8124 Mechanisms of Health and Disease I 8 s.h.

Normal and healthy processes within and among mechanisms of oxygenation, metabolism, and genetics/development; first in a series on multisystem mechanisms of health and disease.  Requirements:  M.D. or PA enrollment.

Spring Semester 2 Schedule and Descriptions

Course #Course TitleSemester Hours
MED:8131Clinical and Professional Skills II4
MED:8132Medicine and Society II4
MED:8133Mechanisms of Health and Disease II7
MED:8134Mechanisms of Health and Disease III11
 Total Hours26

 

MED:8131 Clinical and Professional Skills II 4 s.h.

Interpersonal skills, lifelong learning, interviewing skills, physical examination skills, ethical issues in patient care, and basic approach to patients in terms of prevention, treatment, and follow-up care.  Second, in a sequence during preclinical semesters of medical school and continuing as an integrated strand throughout the curriculum.  Requirements:  M.D. or PA enrollment.

MED:8132 Medicine and Society II 4 s.h.

Knowledge and skills related to health promotion and disease prevention from a medicine and society perspective, including the impact of behavior, environment, culture, and socioeconomics; identification of major public health problems associated with mechanisms of health and disease.  Second, in a sequence during preclinical semesters of medical school and continuing as an integrated strand throughout the curriculum.  Requirements:  M.D. or PA enrollment.

MED:8133 Mechanisms of Health and Disease II 7 s.h.

Normal and healthy processes within and among mechanisms of Immunology/Inflammation, locomotion/integument, and neuropsychiatry; second in a series on mechanisms of health and disease.  Requirements:  M.D. or PA enrollment.

MED:8134 Mechanisms of Health and Disease III 11 s.h.

Abnormalities or disruptions are leading to the disease within and among mechanisms of oxygenation, metabolism, and genetics/development; third in a series on multisystem mechanisms of health and disease.  Requirements:  M.D. or PA enrollment.

Summer Semester 3 Schedule and Descriptions

Course #Course #Semester Hours
PA:8212Fundamentals of EKG and ACLS for PA Students2
PA:8213Fundamentals of Radiology for PA Students1
PA:8301Seminar for PA Students1
PA:8302PA Professional and Clinical Skills2
 Total Hours6

 

PA:8212 Fundamentals of EKG and ACLS for Physician Assistant Students 2 s.h.

Theory and practice with a fundamental analysis of EKG strips and interpretation, including rhythm disturbances; completion of American Heart Association's Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) program.

PA:8213 Fundamentals of Radiology for Physician Assistant Students 1 s.h.

Theory and practice for interpretation of radiographs, including general radiology, body, chest, musculoskeletal, pediatrics, and neurology.  Requirements:  PA enrollment.

PA:8301 Seminar for Physician Assistant Students 1 s.h.

Professional issues that affect the physician assistant's practice of medicine.

PA:8302 Physician Assistant Professional and Clinical Skills 2 s.h.

Hands-on experience and activities; suturing, injections, prescription and order writing, medical records, patient confidentiality, Iowa Law governing physician assistant practice, motivational interviewing, and toddler and disability exams.

Fall Semester 4 Schedule and Descriptions

Course #Course TitleSemester Hours
MED:8221Clinical and Professional Skills III4
MED:8222Medicine and Society III4
MED:8223Mechanisms of Health and Disease IV10
MED:8224Mechanisms of Health and Disease Keystone7
 Total Hours25

 

MED:8221 Clinical and Professional Skills III 4 s.h.

Advanced clinical reasoning skills through focused patient encounters and interactions with special patient populations; emphasis on integration and use of concepts for cost-conscious, patient-centered, and interdisciplinary care.  Requirements:  M.D. or PA enrollment.

MED:8222 Medicine and Society III 4 s.h.

Health services organization and delivery; emphasis on community dimensions of medical practice and patient safety.  Requirements:  M.D. or PA enrollment.

MED:8223 Mechanisms of Health and Disease IV 10 s.h.

Abnormalities or disruptions are leading to the disease within and among mechanisms of immunology/inflammation, locomotion/integument, and neuropsychiatry; fourth in a series on multisystem mechanisms of health and disease.  Requirements:  M.D. or PA enrollment.

MED:8224 Mechanisms of Health and Disease Keystone 7 s.h.

The transition between classroom instruction in mechanisms of health and disease and clinical practice; foundational information from mechanisms of health and disease sequence approached from the perspective of what is commonly encountered in clinics; and application of information to making diagnostic and management decisions of common important clinical problems.  Requirements:  M.D. or PA enrollment.