Special Courses

Healthcare Disparities — an Inland Empire Perspective

(a spring seminar for juniors and seniors)

Course Description:  This course will focus on learning about the current problem in the delivery of healthcare to underserved communities, particularly in the Inland Empire.  Speakers will address:  a) what are the major issues; b) what is currently being done; and c) what more is needed to be done.  The course is designed for upperclassmen in the Medical Scholars Program.  Students will earn 2 units of credit.

Introduction to Problem-Based Learning

(a winter seminar for freshmen and sophomores)

Course Description:  During this quarter we will work through four clinical cases using a problem-based learning approach.  Problem-based learning (PBL) is an active learning process that results from the process of working toward the understanding or resolution of a problem.  Students must take an active role in PBL to discover what they need to learn, and the instructor serves as a guide for students.  A PBL case is presented in segments to simulate the way information is revealed in clinical encounters.  After receiving each segment, students should identify critical information, generate a differential diagnosis, determine actions indicated from the information given, and determine what additional information is needed.  After determining what additional information is needed to understand the case, each student will select a learning issue to be developed before the next session and prepare a 1-2 page write up of that learning issue to be shared with their classmates by email at least 24 hours before the second session.  Students should come to the second session prepared to discuss their write ups and review the case in light of the new information learned.  Additional patient information is presented in the second session to wrap up that case. 

Survival Skills for Students in the Medical Scholars Program

(a fall quarter freshman advising seminar)

Instructor: Dr. Neal Schiller 

Brief description:
This course will focus on learning the necessary survival skills to succeed in college and preparing for a career in medicine or the allied health sciences. Topics to be covered will include: how to talk to faculty; how to effectively utilize the campus support resources; how to research career opportunities and tailor a 4-year college program to achieve that career goal; how to manage your time effectively; how to make yourself a better candidate for a career in medicine or the allied health sciences. Students will make short oral presentations, write short essays, participate in round-table discussions, interview a faculty member, etc.

Brief Biographical Statement:
Dr. Schiller is the Chair of the Division of Biomedical Sciences and Associate Dean of the UCR/UCLA Thomas Haider Program in Biomedical Sciences. His research team is currently examining the microbial physiology, genetics, immunobiology and pathogenesis of Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection in cystic fibrosis patients, and the characterization of antibiotic resistance in Helicobacter pylori. Dr. Schiller received a B.S. in Biology from Boston College, a Ph.D. in Microbiology from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, and did postdoctoral training in Infectious Diseases at Weill Cornell Medical College and New York – Presbyterian Hospital in New York City.   He recently received the University's coveted Excellence in Teaching award.