MED 1 Block 1 [re-cap]
[note: for those of you that are just tuning in -- or haven't been keeping up -- "MED 1" refers to the current semester and "Block 1" refers to the material on our first set of exams. there are 5 Blocks in a semester -- 4 midterms and a cumulative final.]
EDIT: i thought it was obvious, but apparently i have to point out that this is in no way a comprehensive list of topics and sub-topics covered in the last three weeks. if that was the case, i probably would have needed 3 weeks to type it all out. as an example, the “super quick review” of cell biology meant the prof basically went over stuff we were already expected to know. if you didn’t already know the difference between inner and outer mitochondrial membranes, then you had a bit of work to do.
i (continuously, incessantly, gloriously, happily) mention that i’m doing all of this “studying”, but what the heck have i actually learned so far?
for all of you vicarious med students, here’s the rundown of my first three weeks of medical school…
gross anatomy
- back and spinal cord (what can go wrong with vertebra and why?)
- upper limb (memorization of every little thing from the neck to fingertips)
>>most interesting thing learned: Janice (the sister) broke her clavicle this week in a dirt bike accident on the farm. it was sort of neat to be able to picture the most commonly fractured part of the clavicle in my mind. and yes, i think she’s doing just fine!
histology
- different types of microscopy/stains and their unique uses
- cell biology (super quick review of cellular structures and their functions)
- connective tissue, epithelium, bones, and cartilage (building block structure and function)
>> most interesting thing learned: some of the staining/slicing technique information was a fun flashback to my time in the psychology labs at UBC. i remember sitting at that microtome for hours! i also think i’m going to start saying “stratified squamous keratinized epithelium” instead of plain old “skin”.
embryology
- formation of the male and female gamete (meiosis in the gonads!)
- fertilization
- embryo development (what happens in the first 8 weeks of new momma’s tummy?)
>> most interesting thing learned: pregnancy tests that you pee on are checking for human chorionic gonadotropin hormone in your urine.
evidence-based medicine
- differences between empirical and evidence based medicine
- importance of the scientific method
- importance of not believing everything you read in the “news”
>> most interesting thing learned: well, since i took a lot of statistical stuff for psychology in my undergrad, this has mostly been review so far. but tonight i’m working on an assignment about whether or not folic acid reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease. interesting? depends on your perspective, i guess!
in the gross anatomy lab, we spent three weeks dissecting the back, arms and hands. today we opened up the ribs in the chest. our male cadaver was a smoker and it’s not a pretty picture. i imagine the abdominal cavity will be even more interesting.
Block 2 is off with a shot today and i can’t wait!
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September 26th, 2007 at 4:09 pm
The simple coiled tubular glands in my stratified squamous keratinized epithelium are working overtime in anticipation of my own histo exam (translation…i’m sweating buckets!)
September 26th, 2007 at 7:00 pm
Wow, thanks Jen. I for one am keen to see what your curriculum looks like topic-by-topic, and what you’re doing on those cadavers! He hehe..
Sounds like not only are you covering a lot of ground, but it’s actually sinking in and making normal sense to you. Keep it up! You’re rockin’ it!
September 26th, 2007 at 8:59 pm
That’s seriously all the stuff you did in a few weeks?
I have never heard of 5 exams a semester. Not very much info in one exam. At least you might retain it better??
September 26th, 2007 at 9:05 pm
From my own experience I can say that although it may only be 3 weeks worth of information…it’s A LOT. Like…A LOT. I can’t stress A LOT enough. I have a similar exam coming up and the info is much more specific and in depth than any undergrad science midterm ( which is usually at least 6 weeks into the course) that i’ve ever had.
September 26th, 2007 at 9:21 pm
pffft… had I known med school was that easy I would have flown to Nevis with you. ;) Better you then me I say :) Hey when you are done, we’re probably going to need a family doctor…I’m just trying to get my request in early…I think you are going to be the pic of the litter…
September 27th, 2007 at 5:52 am
I understand how much material it is. I am a medical student.
I don’t think it is “better” to test all the material at once, but most schools (in the US anyway) test every few weeks worth of material. And not in “blocks”, it’s all at once, including every class.
It’s a lot easier to brag about getting A’s when you have the minimal amount of info in one exam. Our averages are *not* that high, and I go to a very good school.
September 27th, 2007 at 10:39 am
From my understanding her semester is divided into blocks, each block being about 3 weeks, therefore each test covering about 3 weeks worth of material. Sounds awfully similar to your above statement about being tested on “every few weeks worth of material”. Maybe your averages aren’t as high cause you’re all dumber than the MUA students…just a thought :)
September 27th, 2007 at 12:18 pm
I doubt the part regarding “dumber than the MUA students” is true.
Why do people go to schools in the Caribbean, anyway?
Our averages are low(as in 80%) because according to the current post, we studed way way more than what was “listed”. And, we aren’t given the luxury of having one subject per test. Do they move slower? Maybe.
This is in no way saying the writer isn’t smart. I just think posting grades online is a little self-indulgent..considering.
September 27th, 2007 at 1:37 pm
[...] MED 1 Block 1 [re-cap] [...]
September 27th, 2007 at 1:48 pm
I don’t understand what you mean by one subject per test. She takes 4 classes: anatomy, histology, embrylogy and evidence based medicine. She had an exam for each of these classes (not sure about evidence based medicine, but whatever)and their corresponding lab tests as well. She broke down the subjects they’ve covered in each class by topic. I can’t possibly see how what you do at your school is any different than that. It all sounds pretty normal to me.
As for why people study medicine in the caribbean…I’m sure the reasons are as varied as why people study medicine anywhere. I can’t speak for Jennifer (although you could read her entry about it..) but I’d guess some possible reasons could be adventure, experiencing new cultures, being lucky enough to have the means to do so, not having to jump through so many hoops to get into med school in north america, not having to wait so long to get into med school in north america, ect. Why, what were you suggesting?
As for self-indulgence online, you’re the one posting on her personal website about your supposed superiority. Commenting on the pace of her classes and suggesting excuses for why she’s doing better than you. Are you the anonymous person who also commented about the state of her cadaver?? I don’t want to get into a “comment war” with you on here so i’m happy to have said my piece and i’ll move on after this. I need to go study for my own sub-par test for my own sup-par program at my own sub-par school anyway.
September 27th, 2007 at 9:34 pm
I haven’t posted anonymously and I didn’t post about the cadaver.
Your points were all taken, and considered.
October 16th, 2007 at 11:46 am
[...] as with my other re-cap, this is a very brief overview. if you wanted all the nitty gritty, you would have actually enrolled in med school. ; )) [...]
November 6th, 2007 at 7:10 pm
[...] [block 1 re-cap] [block 2 re-cap] [...]
November 27th, 2007 at 10:01 am
[...] [block 1 re-cap] [block 2 re-cap] [block 3 re-cap] [...]