Curriculum Outline

​This abbreviated curriculum outline is subject to change in response to curricular changes at the SOM:

Topics in CTBS are organized into weekly systems: cell signaling, neurology/neuroscience, autonomic nervous system, cardiovascular physiology, renal physiology, and immunology. The final week is multi-system integration interconnecting all of the weeks.

  • Cell Signaling: feedback control systems; transporters; channels; action potentials; intracellular and extracellular receptors 
  • Neurology/Neuroscience: neuron structure/function; synaptic transmission; nervous system anatomy; somatosensory pathways; motor pathways
  • Autonomic Nervous System: anatomy and physiology of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system
  • Cardiovascular System: cardiovascular anatomy; cardiac cycle; pressure-volume loops; ventricular function; cardiac electrophysiology; electrocardiogram; arterial baroreceptors
  • Renal System: body fluids; major functions of the kidney; renal processes, nephron structure; glomerular filtration and renal plasma flow; clearance; tubular transport mechanisms; renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system; feedback control of plasma osmolality
  • Immunology: innate and adaptive immune system; MHC and antigen presentation to T cells; recognition of pathogens by innate immune system; NK cell; complement system 

Course faculty are available for discussion and review by Zoom outside of scheduled class time.