Department of Molecular Medicine College of Veterinary Medicine Cornell University

VTMED 5200

Cell Biology and Genetics, Foundation Course II - Dr. Gregory Weiland, Course Leader; Drs. Robert Oswald and Roy Levine, members of the Course Design Group.

Foundation Course III - "Function and Dysfunction"

VTMED 5300 & 5310

Function and Dysfunction, Foundation Course III - Dr. Rick Rawson (Department of Biomedical Sciences), Course Leader; Drs. Gregory Weiland, Clare Fewtrell, and Linda Nowak, members of the Course Design Group.

Foundation Course IV - "Host, Agent and Defense"

VTMED 6324

Antimicrobial Therapy in Veterinary Medicine - Dr. Wayne Schwark

VTMED 6550

Clinical Pharmacology - Dr. Wayne Schwark

VTMED 6990

Research Opportunities in Veterinary Medicine - All Molecular Medicine faculty

"Specialty Courses"

VTMED 6980

Special Projects in Veterinary Medicine - All Molecular Medicine faculty

Listing of all courses at Veterinary College

VETMED 5200 Cell Biology and Genetics

Fall and Spring. 8 credits. Limited to first-year veterinary students. Prerequisite VETMED 5100 The Animal Body. Letter grades only. Gregory Weiland (course leader) and others.

Designed to develop an appreciation of the molecular and cellular basis of animal health and disease. Students gain an understanding of the molecular mechanisms that regulate cell function, the molecular signaling processes that form the basis of integrated function and the response to disease, and the mechanisms underlying inherited traits and genetic disease. Students are introduced to the pathologic basis of disease and the immune response by studying cellular responses to injury. Emphasis is placed on defining and characterizing normal cell function and on understanding how mutations in specific genes promote disease. Students become familiar with the common molecular procedures being used to develop new diagnostic and therapeutic tools to maintain health and combat disease. Fundamental biological processes as revealed by gross and microscopic pathological changes are emphasized. The course is divided into two parts separated by a Midterm exam. The first part is made up of three sections: Principles of Cell Biology, Cell Signaling, and Medical Genetics. The second half of the course, Translation, builds upon and expands these principles, using examples from veterinary medicine including wound repair and cancer. In both parts, clinical cases are utilized to illustrate the concepts presented.

VETMED 5300 & 5310 Function and Dysfunction

Spring and Fall. 8 credits. Limited to first-year veterinary students. Prerequisite VETMED 5200 Cell Biology and Genetics. Letter grades only. Richard Rawson (course leader) and others.

Designed to develop students' understanding of how an animal maintains itself as a functional organism; how the maintenance of function is achieved through the integration of different organ systems; how tissue structure relates to tissue function; how injury alters structure and leads to dysfunction, manifested as clinical signs; how organ function can be assessed; and how organ function can be modulated pharmacologically. The course incorporates aspects of physiology, biochemistry, cell biology, histology, pathology and histopathology, clinical pathology and pharmacology.

VTMED 6324 Antimicrobial Therapy in Veterinary Medicine

Spring. 1 credit. For second, third and fourth year DVM students. Letter grades only. W.S. Schwark.

The objective of this course is to familiarize students with antimicrobial drugs used in veterinary practice. The course builds on fundamental pharmacological and microbiological principles covered in Foundation Courses III and IV; and considers antibacterial, antifungal, antiparasitic and antiviral drugs from the point of view of unique pharmacokinetic properties, indications for clinical use and potential toxicities as the basis for rational use.

VTMED 6550 Clinical Pharmacology

Spring. 1 credit. Third- and fourth-year veterinary students. Letter grade. W. Schwark.

This course is offered after Blocks I-V and formal exposure to pharmacology coursework is completed. The course is designed to familiarize students with drug use in the clinical setting and utilizes ongoing cases in the teaching hospital as a teaching tool. Pharmacological concepts are emphasized, with a focus on the rationale for drug choice, alternative drug choices available, pharmacokinetic considerations, and potential drug interactions/toxicities. This course is offered at the time students are about to embark on their clinical rotations. It is designed to emphasize practical aspects of pharmacology in the clinical setting, utilizing basic concepts obtained during formal coursework. The onus will be placed on the student to explain/rationalize drugs employed in clinical cases in the teaching hospital.

VTMED 6980 Special Projects in Veterinary Medicine

Spring, summer, fall. Variable credit. All years. Letter grades only. Pharmacology faculty.

This course provides the opportunity for students to work individually with a faculty member to pursue an area of particular interest and, typically, not part of the established curriculum. Specific course objectives and course content are flexible and reflect the scope and academic expertise of the faculty.

VTMED 6990 Research Opportunities in Veterinary Medicine

Spring, summer, fall. Variable credit. All years. Letter grades only. All pharmacology faculty.

This course provides the opportunity for individual students to work in the research environment of faculty involved in veterinary or biomedical research. Specific course objectives and course content are flexible and reflect the specific research environment.

Last modified: Tuesday, February 10, 2009 gaw