Undergraduate : Medicine I

A new medical curriculum was implemented for the academic year 1999-2000. A hybrid of our traditional system with a more problem-based learning one, the new curriculum has been streamlined to reduce factual overload and emphasizes the relevance of the biological sciences to subsequent clinical practice. A more integrated and systems-based approach has been designed to discourage compartmentalized thinking and to stress problem-solving abilities.

The teaching of Physiology is integrated into the Systems Biology track where the functional aspects of the various organ and physiological systems are integrated with structure (Anatomy: Structure & Development track) and molecular and cellular mechanisms (Biochemistry: Cell Biology track). The traditional lecture-tutorial format will be supplemented by problem-based learning. In the series of lectures for each system, the first lecture provides an overview of the system and its relevance to Clinical Medicine. The last lecture of the system series, after all the basic concepts have been taught, discusses disordered physiology and how basic knowledge is applied to clinical situations. This format provides the students a relevance, and hopefully a motivation, of studying basic science. The tutorials focus on the basic concepts of each system and use disorder physiology to emphasize important points and to provide a clearer understanding of the main concepts. A number of case studies are used to illustrate the connection between basic physiology and clinical application.

In problem-based learning, a patient or basic science problem is used as a trigger and context for students to learn problem-solving skills and to acquire knowledge of basic and clinical sciences through self-directed learning. The teacher functions as a facilitator and students are encouraged to make use of various resources (for example: Internet, Medical Library and AVA resources) available to them to solve the problem. The process also provides a way for improving their communication skills, collaboration and teamwork skills as well as develop a well-structured knowledge base, linking new concepts with existing knowledge.

MD1130A Physiology

The syllabus for the Physiology course includes largely core material on Human Physiology with reference to relevant clinical examples. The course is conducted over two semesters. Topics for the module include:
(1) Nerve & Muscle Physiology
(2) Haematology
(3) Cardiovascular Physiology
(4) Respiratory Physiology
(5) Gastrointestinal Physiology
(6) Endocrine Physiology
(7) Renal Physiology
(8) Neurophysiology (with special emphasis on Physiology of Pain).

MD1140B Normal Structure and Function B

MD1140B is made up of the following:

The Blood, Respiratory and Cardiovascular Systems module deals with the principles of normal structure and function of these systems. Students are expected to apply these principles to explain the basis of clinical assessments of these systems and the pathophysiological basis of common diseases including anaemia, bleeding disorders, obstructive and restrictive lung diseases, hypertension, ischemic heart disease, cardiac failure and common valvular defects and rhythm disturbances of the heart.

The Renal, Fluid and Electrolyte Systems module covers the basic and applied physiological principles underlying these systems, with an emphasis on integration with Cardiovascular, Endocrine, Gastrointestinal and Respiratory Physiology.

The Gastrointestinal, Nutrition and Metabolism Systems module takes the students from non- Pathological to pathological conditions in parallel with progressive teaching of normal to abnormal function and structure. Students will learn to apply functional anatomy, biochemistry and physiology to explain the pathophysiology of common gastrointestinal symptoms and nutritional disorders.

The Endocrine and Reproduction Systems module will deal with the normal physiology of the endocrine system as well as the common diseases affecting the endocrine glands: the hypothalamus/pituitary, the thyroid, the parathyroid, the endocrine pancreas, the adrenal cortex and adrenal medulla. In addition, it will also cover metabolic disorders such as hyperlipidemias, obesity, and osteoporosis.

Reproductive System module will describe the normal structure (Anatomy) and functions (Physiology) of the male and female reproductive systems in detail and correlate the structure to the functions. The areas covered will be:
a) Sex determination and sexual differentiation;
b) Male reproductive system: gross anatomy and histology and how these correlate with male sexual development, descent of the testis, spermatogenesis and related hormonal changes. Details of the stages of spermatogenesis, spermiogenesis, composition of semen, structure of spermatozoa, transport of spermatozoa, erection, copulation, ejaculation, as well as problems of male infertility will be covered;
c) Female reproductive system: gross anatomy and histology and how these correlate with female sexual development and related hormonal changes with emphasis on oogenesis, menstrual cycle (ovarian cycle and uterine cycle), puberty, menopause, pregnancy, child birth, lactation, and contraception.