Medical Sciences offers numerous undergraduate courses that satisfy selected requirements for specific majors, and which may count for credit for the Medical Sciences minor. These courses are also popular electives for many undergraduates. Undergraduate courses offered, and links to the course websites, are available on this page. For additional details on these courses, explore the IU Bloomington course listings offered each term.
Intended for science majors. An organ systems approach to the study of the human body, including microscopic and gross structure (offered every Fall, Spring and Summer II sessions.) Counts as: N&M course, Gen Ed
History of the anatomical sciences from the antiquities to the present
Intended for junior or senior science majors. The goal of Human Tissue Biology is to provide the student with an in-depth understanding at the cellular and molecular level of the various specialized tissues that make up the human body. All the major tissue and organ systems are covered, including the nervous system, immune system, reproductive system, and endocrine system (offered every spring semester.)
This course provides a systematic study of human anatomy and how this anatomy may be examined with medical imaging. Lecture explores the anatomy and medical imaging of the following systems: skeletal, cardiovascular, nervous, respiratory, digestive, urinary and reproductive. Lab uses models, skeletal materials, and computerized/digital medical imaging examples. (Offered every other spring semester.)
Prereq: Experience with anatomy (e.g., A215) Advanced Human Anatomy is designed to provide a detailed understanding of human anatomy and variation through lectures and cadaveric dissection. Students will learn about three-dimensional relationships among structures, blood supply, innervation, and functions. They will also be asked to apply this information into real world context. (Offered every other spring [odd years]).
Suitable for non-science majors at all levels. Exploration of a major issue in biomedical sciences, using analysis of scientific literature, and interpretation of contemporary research data. Readings and lectures are supplemented by whole-class and small-group discussion, and by frequent written assignments.
Suitable for non-science majors of all levels. An introductory course using a systems based approach to study the structure and function of the human body. (Offered every fall and spring semesters.) Counts as N&M course, Gen Ed.
Suitable for non-science majors at all levels. Basic science knowledge is advantageous but not necessary. Disease or injury is the basis for discussion of the normal anatomy and physiology of relevant body systems and the alterations that are due to the disease or injury (offered every fall and spring semesters.) Counts as N&M course, Gen Ed.
An entry-level examination of the biological mechanisms underlying the effects of psychoactive drugs. Drug actions in the brain, spinal cord, heart, lungs, liver and other organs and tissues are detailed. Molecular mechanisms and genetic factors involved in drug-induced therapeutic and adverse effects are emphasized (offered every fall and spring semesters.) Counts as N&M course, Gen Ed
This blended-hybrid course has both an online component and in-class face-to face lecture and discussion. A case study approach will explore the biological, psychological, social, cultural, behavioral and economic factors that influence health and illness. Offered Fall semester.
M345 - This course will evaluate medical information that is provided to the general population via television, books, movies, commercials, and social media. Students will learn to assess the accuracy of medical information shared via popular media and to assess the techniques used by various media to present medically related information. (Offered every other winter or spring session [even years]).
This online course provides a broad overview of the most common and important human diseases today. Taught by a healthcare provider. Offered Spring semester.
Prereq: BIOL L111 and BIOL L112 or permission of instructor. Survey of the biology of human and domestic animal parasites; etiology, epidemiology, immunology, pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of parasitic diseases. Major groups of protozoa, helminths and arthropod ectoparasites covered. Lab presents live and fixed specimens complementing lecture. This course meets with BIOL-M375. (Offered spring semester.)
This course provides comprehensive study of clinical pharmacology that will prepare students for graduate studies in all medical health fields and many other health professions
This course is for junior or seniors who are actively working in a research laboratory. M410 will give students a strong fundamental understanding of proper experimental design and commonly used research methods. The course will be taught by critically evaluating common cellular and molecular biology techniques and by critiquing primary literature that utilizes these techniques. Recurring themes will include hypothesis development, appropriate controls, biological versus technical replicates, troubleshooting, analysis of data, statistics, and presentation of data. Students will learn how to evaluate and learn new protocols as well as evaluate experiments presented in primary literature. (offered the first 8 weeks of every fall semester)
Suitable for non-science majors, junior, senior or graduate standing. Does the US provide the best health care in the world? What is Obamacare and why has it caused such a furor? Why is the US the only developed country that does not offer universal health insurance to its citizens? What is health care like in Canada, the United Kingdom and Germany? Taught by a physician, this course explores the concept of health insurance, reviews the historical development of the American health care system, compares the US system to other countries, and asks if we can envision a health care system that meets society’s practical and ethical obligations to its fellow citizens.
Permission of faculty member supervising the research required. Introduction to research methods and scientific methods and scientific investigation in the biomedical sciences.
Intended for junior or senior science majors. Cancers are genetic diseases produced by mutations in the genes that control cell signaling and cell fate. This class provides an in-depth study of cell signaling and mechanisms by which cell fate is regulated. These concepts are used to develop a comprehensive understanding of how tumor cells develop, recruit the support from normal cells, modulate the immune system, metastasize and are treated. (Offered every spring semester.)
Taught by a physician, students will investigate the social determinants of health by studying the pathophysiology of selected diseases and by participating in service-learning in community agencies in order to promote well-being at the individual and community level.
Prereq: Intro biology course or A215 or P215. Course explores the scientific and social aspects of three common diseases: Diabetes Mellitus, cardiovascular disease and breast cancer. Students learn about these diseases through didactic lecture from a medical doctor. Students observe clinics, doctors and patients (offered spring and fall semesters.)
Permission of instructor required. Intensive study of a selected topic in biomedical sciences. Topics vary.
Prereq: Anatomy A215, Physiology P215, or Anatomy A464 or consent of Instructor. Supervised teaching experience in undergraduate medical science courses (requires permission of instructor). (Offered every fall, spring and summer II sessions.)
Permission of Instructor required. This course offers an organ systems approach to the study of human physiology. Note: this course is the same as P215 lecture but does not have a lab component. (Offered every fall, spring and summer II session.)
Intended for science majors and not recommended for first-semester freshmen. An organ systems approach to the study of human body function (offered every fall, spring, and summer II sessions.) Counts for N&M course, Gen Ed.
Prereq: Introductory Physiology or permission of instructor. Principles of physiology via the comparative method: functioning of nervous, muscular, respiratory, circulatory and temperature regulation functions examined through examples of vertebrate and invertebrate animals that possess unusual physiological capabilities and exemplify fundamental physiological processes in their adaptations to special environments. (Offered fall semester.)