Medical Education

The Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Medicine plays a significant role in the education of our medical and dental students. Designated members of the faculty are responsible for two principal programs in the curriculum for the New Jersey Medical School, and one major program for the New Jersey Dental School, which is also located on the Newark Campus. Human Anatomy and Development and Integrated Structure and Function are presented in the first year medical school curriculum while Dental Gross Anatomy and Embryology is presented in the dental school's first year curriculum. In addition, Surgical Anatomy is offered as an elective in the fourth year of the medical school curriculum.

For additional information, contact:

Dr. David O. DeFouw

Vice Chair for Education

Director of the Medical Education Program
E-mail: defouw@umdnj.edu

Human Anatomy and Development (HAD): An anatomical study of the human body, with an emphasis on the morphological basis for injury or disease, is presented. Gross structures are studied in the laboratory by cadaver dissection and demonstration. Basic radiographic anatomy combines with the laboratory dissection to define 3-dimensional organization of the body. Lectures stress the contribution of developmental events to gross anatomical organization and the correlation of this organization with clinically relevant conditions. Team based learning enables small groups of students to assemble anatomical facts into a conceptual understanding of structure-function relationships. First year, Fall semester.

Integrated Structure and Function (ISF): This course represents a coordinated presentation of the subjects of Histology (CBMM) and Physiology (Department of Physiology and Pharmacology).   Histological structures are studied via virtual microscopy and lectures serve to provide structure-function relationships, and the correlation of these relationships with clinically relevant conditions.  First year, Spring semester.

Dental Gross Anatomy and Embryology: An anatomical study is presented of the head and neck, with emphasis on the maxillofacial region and those parts of the nervous system, thorax, and abdomen that are clinically important. Gross structures are studied in the laboratory by cadaver dissection and demonstration. Lectures stress structure-function correlations, practical application to clinical problems, radiographic anatomy of the head and neck, and development of the human body. First year, Spring semester.

Surgical Anatomy: This elective course is generally offered to students planning to enter surgical or surgical subspecialty residency programs. Therefore, the course is tailored to emphasize subsections of human anatomy required by the respective students. Requisite cadaver dissection, coupled with clinically relevant laboratory previews and demonstrations, provide the basis for the customized anatomical reviews. Fourth year, Spring semester.