Course content

Semester 1C is built around two main blocks:

"Consciousness and emotions" are first and foremost about the structure and function of the nervous system, from the biochemical and microscopic level to the most complicated functions that the nervous system performs in the organism, in interaction with the other organs and organ systems. This main theme also includes the study of senses such as sight, hearing and balance. In addition, an initial introduction to developmental psychology, child and adolescent psychiatry and adult psychiatry is given, as well as teaching about pain and interdisciplinary interaction.

"Growth and development" are about the individual's developmental phases, from conception/reproductive biology, embryology/fetal development and birth, via childhood and adolescence to aging and death. As part of this, the pelvic skeleton and muscles, as well as the anatomy and physiology of the genitalia, are studied. The topic also includes medical genetics, and there are also several lectures with discussion of medical ethical issues and dilemmas in connection with these disciplines.

Semester 1D starts with teaching in microbiology where students are introduced to the classification and structure of different types of microorganisms such as bacteria and viruses, different principles for diagnosis, importance for pathogenesis, as well as an introduction to antibiotics and antibiotic resistance. In immunology, an introduction is given to the structure and physiology of the immune system, the different parts of the immune system and how immunological reactions in certain cases can lead to the development or worsening of disease. The students then learn about the various endocrine organs, the most important hormones and their biological effects, and in renal physiology, they teach about how urine is formed in the kidneys, the kidneys' regulation of fluid and electrolyte balance, blood volume and arterial blood pressure. Medical statistics and clinical decision-making and epidemiology are then taught, before pathology is taught. There the students will gain knowledge about the diagnostic pathology as it works in practice and acquire the general pathology in terms of causes and mechanisms of different types of changes in the body and descriptions of macroscopic and microscopic morphology of these changes. In the last part of the semester, the topics pharmacology, occupational medicine and toxicology/environmental medicine are taught. The relationship between external chemical and physical influences and the development of disease is studied, as well as an introduction to pharmacological principles and how disease can be treated with drugs.

Throughout both semesters, the teaching will be of different types of plenary teaching such as lectures, clinics, seminars and TBL, as well as group work and compulsory PBL, and relevant exercises in the form of dissection, laboratory courses and microscopy/digital pathology. In addition, there will be teaching in the longitudinal strands "Scientific competence", "Health promotion and prevention" and "Communication, patient contact and professionalism" that run from start to finish throughout the medical programme. The doctor-patient course continues from the 1st year of study, with compulsory placement in general practice, as well as skills labs (F-lab) where the students practice clinical examination and patient communication and explain the main principles in the treatment of some common disorders. The doctor-patient course ends with an oral-practical exam in the middle of semester 1D.

Learning outcome

There are several learning objectives related to the semester subjects. These objectives are available at the "Læringsutbyttedatabasen" at the faculty`s home page.

Learning methods and activities

• Problem-based learning (PBL)
• Lectures (basal and clinical)
• Seminars
• Team-based learning
• Courses
• Skills lab
• Examination and communication courses
• Visits in general practice

There is longitudinal teaching in the course.

The course is mainly taught in Norwegian, but some classes may be taught in English.

Compulsory assignments

• Mandatory PBL
• Doctor-pasient-course

Specific conditions

Required previous knowledge

Admission to CMED and successfully completed 1st year of medical school (MD4012).

Course materials

Course materiel will be available on Blackboard.