Fourth Semester Medicine

Undergraduate course

Course description

Objectives and Content

The course MED4 provides knowledge about human anatomy (structure) and physiology (functions) with an emphasis on internal organs. Homeostatic principles and understanding of how the organism reacts to deviation from the normal state are emphasized. The course also provides knowledge in general and clinical microbiology, environmental medicine, and societal impact, in addition to general medicine. Training in academic reading and writing is continued from MED3, as well as an introduction to research ethics.

The students will have one day of placement in general practice.

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge - Upon completion of the course, the student can:

  • Understand the structure and function of the human body.
  • Understand the relationship between structure, cell type and organ function.
  • Understand the most common regulatory mechanisms for cell and organ function.
  • Assess consequences and adaptations by loss of normal function in selected organs and regulatory systems.
  • Understand homeostatic principles and assess the consequences and adaptations in body functions triggered by bleeding and other pathological changes in extracellular volume, salt concentration and pH.
  • Understand which changes and adaptations in the body are triggered by changes in external (i.e., temperature, work) and internal (i.e., pregnancy, puberty) factors.
  • Account for the most common microorganisms that cause illness.
  • Account for basic clinical methods of common presentation symptoms in general practice.
  • Account for the coordinating function and organization of general practice.
  • Account for the effect of the environment on human health and the science of preventive and health-promoting medicine.

Skills - upon completion of the course, the student can:

  • Explain how the human body functions and which changes and adaptations on the molecular, cellular, organ and bodily level are triggered by certain external factors and illness.
  • Dissect and identify organs and structures in anatomical preparations and demonstrate how these are related to each other.
  • Examine histological preparations using a light microscope, and identify cell types and organ of origin from histological and virtual preparations.
  • Examine a human subject and project the organs in normal position, size, and shape.
  • Perform selected physiological experiments and demonstrate the results of these experiments.
  • Perform EKG, spirometry, blood pressure measurement on the extremities and clinical examination of peripheral circulation (level 1*), including basic interpretation of the results.
  • Participate in, and repeat, under supervision, examination of central and peripheral blood vessels using ultrasound (level 1*).
  • Examine urine samples (level 1*) a) using stix, b) culture if urinary tract infection is suspected and assess signs of disease.
  • Take and handle: a. microbiological and serological specimens (level 2**), b. rapid tests for demonstrations of pathogens and antibodies (level 2) and c. venous blood specimens for blood culture and for analyses in clinical biochemistry laboratories (level 1)
  • Assess gram preparations (level 2) and identify the most important pathogenic microorganisms.
  • Interpret phenotypic tests for antibiotic resistance.
  • Identify, analyze, and manage difficult ethical dilemmas.

General competence - the student can:

  • Appreciate the ethics behind giving one's body for dissection, and show respect through dignified behaviour
  • Demonstrate ability to integrate basic knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and microbiology to understand and explain how diseases occurs and basic principles for diagnostics and treatment.
  • Show the ability to integrate knowledge from several disciplines and courses, and use this knowledge to approach the medical profession in a good and responsible way.
  • Be aware of the basics of the consultation process and have the ability to reflect on the role of the physician and the practice of the medical profession.
  • Demonstrate good ability to communicate complex information in writing and orally.
  • Be aware of scientific uncertainty, contradictions and hypotheses

*Level 1: The student should be able to perform the skill under the supervision of a more experienced doctor / has performed the skill once (model/phantom/patient)

**Level 2: The student can perform the skill independently.

ECTS Credits

33 ECTS credits

Level of Study

Undergraduate course

Semester of Instruction

Spring
Required Previous Knowledge
Completed MED3
Credit Reduction due to Course Overlap
None
Access to the Course
Cand.med.-degree programme
Teaching and learning methods
Varied forms of teaching will be utilized. 
Teaching Methods and Extent of Organized Teaching
Relevant information supplied on MyUiB/e-mail.
Compulsory Assignments and Attendance
  • Participation in practical courses and tests during the semester is mandatory
  • Participation on TBL-sessions
  • Participation in formative colloquia supervised by teachers during the semester
  • Participation in test-exam
  • Participation on tests and/or submissions as groups or individuals throughout the semester
  • Approved attendance in the mentoring scheme under the profession ­pillar
  • Compulsory assignments during the semester must be approved to sit the final semester exam.

    Forms of Assessment
    6-hour digital written exam.
    Grading Scale
    Pass / Fail
    Assessment Semester
    Spring
    Reading List
    The reading list will be available by June 1st for the autumn semester and December 1st for the spring semester.
    Course Evaluation
    Written evaluation using electronic/digital evaluation tool.
    Examination Support Material

    All calculators, model is subject to limitations determined by UiB.

    Simple, bilingual dictionary, that must be reviewable, meaning that one of the languages must be English, or a Scandinavian language.

    Programme Committee
    Cand.med programme committee
    Course Administrator
    Department of Biomedicine