New and Noteworthy Online Courses
Summer 2023 Online and iCourses Offered
College of Medicine – Tucson
Pre-Session (PRE) May 15 – Jun. 3, 2023
CMM 503 Human Molecular Genetics Basics
1 unit | Taught by David Bear, PhD
This course will provide students in the pre-health science professions (Medicine, Pharmacy, Dentistry, Veterinary Medicine, Nursing, Public Health) as well as students planning a career in biomedical research with a background in basic human molecular genetics to help ensure success in various UA health profession training programs. The course can also serve as a gateway course for those students needing additional background in molecular genetics before proceeding with other more in-depth courses in molecular genetics. However, some students may just want or need the basic concepts of this topic for matriculation into other programs.
Contact: beccav@arizona.edu
Seven Week – Second Session (7W2) Jul. 3 – Aug. 18, 2023
CMM 538 Applied Biotechnology in Research and Medicine: Molecular Biology
1 unit | Taught by Stefanie Novak, PhD
This course will provide students in the pre-health science professions (Medicine, Pharmacy, Dentistry, Veterinary Medicine, Nursing, Public Health), as well as students planning a career in biomedical research with a background in research methods, clinical diagnostic tests, and gene therapies, utilizing sophisticated technological procedures and techniques. Evaluating the data from these tests and keeping abreast of research advances requires understanding their theoretical underpinnings, proper application, interpretations, and limitations. This course will cover common and fundamental molecular-genetic techniques, including detecting and analyzing DNA and RNA nucleic acids, proteins, sub-cellular localization, and tissue-limited gene expression.
Contact: beccav@arizona.edu
Thirteen Week Session (13W) May 15 – Aug. 9, 2023
IMB 401/501 Medical Microbiology and Immunology
4 units I Taught by Nafees Ahmad, PhD
This course explores the molecular and biological characteristics of important microorganisms in human health and disease; the reaction of the host (immune system) to infectious agents and the mechanisms of host defense (immunity); molecular and cellular immunology and pathogenesis of infectious disease.
Contact: phaffner@arizona.edu
MIBM 501 Introduction to Microbiome Community Analysis Methods
3 units | Taught by Daniel Laubitz, PhD
This course will present basic concepts of microbial communities in the context of human health and disease and the methods in DNA-based compositional and functional analysis of complex microbial communities.
For a long time, understanding the role of microbial communities, their composition and function was challenging due their complexity and lack of appropriate methods. During this course, students will learn how to explore microbial communities using the Next Generation Sequencing methods and bioinformatic tools. Students will be introduced to and explore research methods and tools used to collect and analyze microbial communities. This course will cover the fundamentals of microbial ecology, the ecology of the microbial communities on and within the human body, the relationship between microbiota and their environment, and health consequences of community perturbations.
The course will be especially useful to pre-health science professions students (Medicine, Pharmacy, Nursing, Public Health) as well as students planning a career in biomedical research.
Contact: laubitz@arizona.edu
Mel & Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health
Seven Week – Second Session (7W2) Jul. 3 – Aug. 18, 2023
CPH/GHI 537 Evidence-Based Methods in Maternal & Child Health
3 units | Taught by John Ehiri, PhD
his course examines historical and current principles, programs, policies, and practices related to MCH populations. Participants will be equipped with skills to critically appraise evidence needed to inform MCH programs and policies.
Contact: jehiri@arizona.edu
Fall 2023 Online and iCourses Offered
College of Medicine – Phoenix
Seven Week – First Session (7W1) Aug. 21 – Oct. 11, 2023
ETH 500 Foundations of Bioethics
3 units | Taught by David Beyda, MD
This course will explore the major theories in contemporary bioethics. Participants will learn the history and the application of principlism, casuistry, care ethics, and virtue ethics. The approach will use bioethics taking the student from philosophical concepts to the application of theory to key landmark cases in bioethics, and its relationship and interaction to the law and policies.
Contact: mgittelm@arizona.edu
ETH 506 Chronicles of Medical Ethics: Past and Present
3 units | Taught by Robert Kravetz, MD
Medical ethics date back millennia and dealt primarily with the physician-patient relationship and ethical values. This course will identify contributions from various cultures and how they relate to the history of medicine. The seminal events that influenced the transition will be reviewed. These events led to the change from medical ethics to bioethics in 1960.
Contact: mgittelm@arizona.edu
ETH 521 Narrative Medicine & Narrative Ethics
3 units | Taught by Jennifer Hartmark-Hill, MD
Learners will explore foundational concepts of Narrative Ethics, an innovative and emerging field within bioethics, at the intersection of Narrative Medicine and the practice of person-centered care.
Contact: mgittelm@arizona.edu
ETH 522 Controversies of Life and Death: The Beginnings and Ends
3 units | Taught by David Beyda, MD
In this course, we will look at the current controversies, from an ethical, moral, scientific, religious and legal perspectives as they relate to the beginning of life and its end. We will explore the concepts of life and death, open the ethical debates related to each, and give you an opportunity to find your own meaning in each. This course will give you a chance to pause and reflect on your own ethics, morals, religious and legal interpretations of the beginning of life and its end. You may, at the end of the course, find yourself comforted by your perspectives, or you may find yourself, walking a different path of perspectives that you had thought you had. The course will be engaging in a deep dive into our conscious and how and what we believe is the beginning of life and its end.
Contact: mgittelm@arizona.edu
Seven Week – Second Session (7W2): Oct. 12 – Dec. 6, 2023
ETH 517 Ethics in the Arts
3 units | Taught by Cynthia Standley, PhD
Ethics and The Visual Arts will explore how art is used to illuminate issues in medicine and challenge our perspectives. Students will be able to create their own work of art on an issue that is of interest to them.
Contact: mgittelm@arizona.edu
ETH 501 Biomedical Ethics and Global Corruption
3 units | Taught by David Beyda, MD
Corruption in government and typical daily life limits authentic and genuine moral and ethical foundations. There can be a commonality of corruption in governments, businesses, and populations globally. Additionally, there is the ethical quagmire of truth-telling and why it is so easy to lie. The truth can bring unpleasant and unknown dilemmas, and unfortunately, lying can be easy to do. The law that protects the vulnerable may not always co-exist with ethics. This course will look at the differences between law and ethics and determine the ways they work together.
Contact: mgittelm@arizona.edu
ETH 520 Ethics Consultations: The How’s and Why’s
3 units | Taught by David Beyda, MD
This course will explore the major ethical issues confronting the practices of clinical medicine and the how’s and why’s ethics consults are needed, asked for and prepared. You will become familiar with the process of doing an ethics consultation, considering opposing arguments and examine relevant case studies.
Contact: mgittelm@arizona.edu
College of Medicine – Tucson
Fifteen Week – Regular Session: Aug. 21 – Dec. 6, 2023
IMB 401/501 Medical Microbiology and Immunology
4 units I Taught by Nafees Ahmad, PhD
This course explores the molecular and biological characteristics of important microorganisms in human health and disease; the reaction of the host (immune system) to infectious agents and the mechanisms of host defense (immunity); molecular and cellular immunology and pathogenesis of infectious disease.
Contact: phaffner@arizona.edu
CMM 503 Human Molecular Genetics Basics
1 unit | Taught by David Bear, PhD
This course will provide students in the pre-health science professions (Medicine, Pharmacy, Dentistry, Veterinary Medicine, Nursing, Public Health) as well as students planning a career in biomedical research with a background in basic human molecular genetics to help ensure success in various UA health profession training programs. The course can also serve as a gateway course for those students needing additional background in molecular genetics before proceeding with other more in-depth courses in molecular genetics. However, some students may just want or need the basic concepts of this topic for matriculation into other programs.
Contact: beccav@arizona.edu
IMB 406/506 Human Immunology
3 units I Taught by Nafees Ahmad, PhD
This course is designed for pre-health profession students (Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing, Pharmacy, Public Health) as well as students planning a carrier in biomedical research. The course will present the basic structure and function of the immune system and its role in fighting infectious diseases and cancers, as well as causing immunological diseases.
Contact: phaffner@arizona.edu
Five Week – Third Session (5W3): Oct. 30 – Dec. 6, 2023
CMM 566 Microscopy Basics for Biomedical Research
1 unit I Taught by Sara Parker, PhD
This course provides a basic introduction to how Light Microscopy is used in Biological and Biomedical Research. Students will learn fundamental topics in optical theory, how microscopes work and their history, types of brightfield and fluorescence microscopes, and the types of biological questions that can be answered using microscopes as a tool in research. The content will conclude with a discussion of image analysis and scientific ethics. Light microscopy is a ubiquitous tool in research and in medical practice, therefore, students pursuing many fields in biology, chemistry, physics, computer science, and medicine will benefit from an understanding of this fundamental tool. This class is appropriate for students of all backgrounds and levels. For students that are actively engaged in research or planning to participate in research, CMM 465/565 (3 credits, Spring semester) is recommended for an in-depth exploration of topics and practical applications in Light Microscopy.
Contact: beccav@arizona.edu
Seven Week – First Session (7W1) Aug. 21 – Oct. 11, 2023
IMB 402/502 Medical Microbiology Basics
1 unit I Taught by Nafees Ahmad, PhD
This course is designed for pre-health profession students (Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing, Pharmacy, Public Health) as well as students planning a carrier in biomedical research. The course will present basic concepts in the areas of microbiology, including bacteriology, virology, mycology, and parasitology. It will also present the pathogenesis of medically important, viral, bacterial, fungal, and parasitic diseases. In addition, it will provide vocabulary that is useful in approaching the medical literature.
Contact: phaffner@arizona.edu
Seven Week – Second Session (7W2): Oct. 12 – Dec. 6, 2023
IMB 404/504 Medical Virology Basics
1 unit I Taught by Nafees Ahmad, PhD
This course is designed for pre-health profession students (Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing, Pharmacy, Public Health) as well as students planning a carrier in biomedical research. The course will present basic concepts in the areas of human virology. It will also present the pathogenesis of medically important viral infectious diseases. In addition, it will provide vocabulary that is useful in approaching the medical literature.
Contact: phaffner@arizona.edu
Graduate College: Graduate Certificate in Innovations in Aging
Five Week – First Session (5W1): Aug. 21 - Sept. 21, 2023
MED 501 Human Aging: The Aging Experience
1 unit | Taught by Mindy Fain, MD
This introductory course sets the stage for a human and experiential understanding of aging and the life experience of older adults. Learning will take a practical, theoretical and humanistic look with emphasis on ageism, life course, person/environment interaction, autonomy, self-determination, inter-dependence, and inter-vulnerability.
Contact: mrhall@arizona.edu
ETH 530 Ethical Considerations
1 unit | Taught by David Beyda, MD
Ethics is thought to be universal, and yet, when one enters into the world of aging, the ethics and in fact, the morals are uniquely different than those of children and adults. The term “aging” becomes fluid when applied to persons, sometime age in years, age related to physical attributes and age related to competency and capacity. This course will identify the particulars of ethics and morals as they relate to the “aged” as best as it can be defined. Contact: mgittelm@arizona.edu
Five Week – Second Session (5W2): Sep. 25 – Oct. 27, 2023
PHSC 533 Human Aging: Interprofessional Practice, Communication and Older Adults
1 unit | Taught by Jeannie Lee, PharmD, BCPS, BCGP, FASHP, AGSF
Students will learn about terminology and common derogatory communication patterns that present in discussion with or about older adults. Students will also learn how to apply the skills necessary to find, engage and participate in interdisciplinary and community collaboration in the areas of research, policy, provision of supports, services and other opportunities.
Contact: mrhall@arizona.edu
MED 512 Human Aging: Socio-cultural and Human Diversity Perspectives
1 unit | Taught by Linda Phillips, RN, PhD, FAAN, FGSA
This course is designed to assist students in exploring aging as a socio-cultural phenomenon. Sociological theories of aging will be explored. Life-course theory and ethnogerontological theory will be used to frame aging from the perspective of human diversity. Ways in which aging and the experience of aging differs based on gender, race, socio-economic status, and culture will be explored along with what these variations mean for working with older adults and their families.
Contact: mrhall@arizona.edu
Five Week – Third Session (5W3): Oct. 30 – Dec. 6, 2023
MED 534 Human Aging: Spectrum of Supportive Services and Structures"
1 unit | Taught by Lisa O’Neill, DBH, MPH
This course focuses on learning about and understanding the existing spectrum of healthcare and supportive services for older adults. Current challenges and opportunities will be discussed along with ideation around improvements and innovations in this space.
Contact: mrhall@arizona.edu
CPH 535: Human Aging: Local and Global Challenge
1 unit | Taught by Amanda Sokan, PhD, MHA, LL.B
This course focuses on interdependence and inter-vulnerability shared by all humans with a special emphasis on the implications of these concepts for older adults. Additionally, opportunities to interact with, learn about and compare aging challenges around the world with local issues and opportunities will be explored.
Contact: mrhall@arizona.edu
All Five Week Sessions
IIA 598 Human Aging: Applying Aging Innovations (Capstone)
1 unit | Taught by various faculty
This capstone course focuses on investigating, planning and presenting of a real-world and relevant aging opportunity or problem of interest to the student.
Contact: mrhall@arizona.edu
Mel & Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health
Fifteen Week – Regular Session: Aug. 21 – Dec. 6, 2023
PHP 424/524 Optimizing Well-being and Resilience for Older Adults
3 units | Taught by Amanda Sokan, PhD
Is aging with grace and vitality a realistic public health goal?
This course explores ways in which we can optimize the aging experience. Using a public health perspective, we focus on modalities to enrich and revitalize the lived experiences of older adults, with the goal of enhancing/promoting overall well-being in health, social, and behavioral domains.
Contact: jehiri@arizona.edu
CPH/GHI 536 Project Design, Implementation & Evaluation in Maternal and Child Health
3 units | Taught by John Ehiri, PhD
This course provides participants with skills in planning and evaluating programs to address health issues that affect women, children, and adolescents locally and globally.
Contact: jehiri@arizona.edu