Courses

Eukaryotic microbial parasites cause diseases of major global health importance, including Malaria, Amoebic Dysentery, and Giardiasis. This course examines the cellular diversity of such parasites, framing it in an evolutionary context to examine not only the span of how these cells function but how they arose. Starting by surveying how various parasites fit in the overall diversity of eukaryotes, the course then examines the variation observed in different cellular systems including the nucleus, endomembrane system, mitochondria and plastids and how these can differ in parasites from the well-studied models organisms. Each organelle will be explored from morphological, genomic and evolutionary perspectives, emphasizing current literature and its critical analysis. 

Prerequisites:   CELL 201 or BIOL 201.

Instructor:   Dr. Joel Dacks

Note: Undergraduate course offered in alternating years. Taught in conjunction with MED 504. May not be taken for credit if credit for MED 504 has been obtained.

Basic and clinical lectures on: lung structure, pulmonary blood flow, airflow, gaseous diffusion, ventilation/perfusion matching, control of ventilation, oxygen transport, lung defense, mucociliary transport, ARDS, asthma, exercise, lung growth, surfactant, lung metabolism, and pulmonary function testing.

Prerequisites: General courses in physiology, physics and biochemistry or consent of department.

Instructor: Dr. Michael Stickland

Eukaryotic microbial parasites cause diseases of major global health importance, including malaria, amoebic dysentery, and giardiasis. This course examines the cellular diversity of such parasites, framing it in an evolutionary context to examine not only the span of how these cells function but how they arose. Starting by surveying how various parasites fit in the overall diversity of eukaryotes, the course then examines the variation observed in different cellular systems including the nucleus, endomembrane system, mitochondria and plastids. Each organelle will be explored from morphological, genomic and evolutionary perspectives, with emphasis on critical review of literature (mock article reviews) and leading discussions on constructive analysis of data.

Prerequisites: Consent of instructor.

Instructor: Dr. Joel Dacks

Note: Offered in alternating years. Taught in conjunction with MED 404. May not be taken if credit for MED 404 has been obtained.

This course is an introduction to occupational hygiene theory, principles, and practice. It covers the recognition, evaluation, and control of common occupational health hazards including chemicals, biological agents, physical agents, and ergonomic issues. The course is not designed to prepare hygienists for practice.

Instructor: Dr. Bernadette Quémerais

Note: May not be taken for credit if credit has already been received in PHS 521 or SPH 521.

This course will introduce the student to inflammation and its role in a range of diseases. An overview is provided on acute and chronic inflammation, asthma and allergy, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), viral hepatitis, liver cancer, multiple sclerosis, chronic pain, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, obesity-related inflammation, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and cardiovascular disease. The syllabus includes a mix of lectures and Current Topics Discussions for students to present recent advances in inflammation.

Prerequisite: IMIN 371 or instructor consent.

Note: Lectures are the same as for MMI 436, but there will be an additional assignment for MED 536. May not be taken for credit if credit has already been obtained in MMI 436.

Content varies from year to year. Topics are announced prior to each registration period.

Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.

Note: The student's transcript will carry a title descriptive of the content. May be repeated. Students may not take MED 566 for credit if credit has already been received for SPH 566 on the same topic.

Reading and study of basic medical science topics relevant to the student's chosen field of study under the direction of one or more faculty members.

Prerequisite: Consent of department.

Note: All course outlines are subject to departmental approval and must be completed and submitted to the Graduate Program Advisor at least 3 weeks prior to the start of the term when the course will be held. If you have any questions, contact the Graduate Program Advisor.

Reading and study in a field relevant to the student's chosen field of study under the direction of one or more Faculty members.

Prerequisite: Consent of department.

Note: All course outlines are subject to departmental approval and must be completed and submitted to the Graduate Program Advisor at least 3 weeks prior to the start of the term when the course will be held. If you have any questions, contact the Graduate Program Advisor.

Exploring the importance of urban and regional planning to create communities supportive of health in the context of the contemporary epidemics of noncommunicable diseases.

Instructor: Dr. Karen Lee

Note: Class takes place during the Winter Term Reading Week. Offered jointly by the School of Urban and Regional Planning and the Department of Medicine.

The course aim is to understand principles of preclinical research and models of human disease that promote translation to early phase clinical trials. The syllabus includes a mix of short lectures, debate sessions, one-on-one and group discussions, along with student presentations on topical research oriented questions. This course is designed to align graduate students with the current trends in modern medical training and be effective “translators of discovery and knowledge”.

Prerequisite: Consent of department.

Instructors: Dr. Evangelos Michelakis, Dr. Gopinath Sutendra, and Dr. Glen Jickling

Note: If you have any questions, contact DoM Office of Research.

The course aim is to understand the principles in the conduct of early-phase versus large clinical trials and the requirements for successful translation of preclinical research: traditional and novel trial designs, endpoints, statistical challenges, regulatory and funding challenges, structure of translational teams and knowledge translation will be discussed. The syllabus includes a mix of short lectures, debate sessions, one-on-one and group discussions, along with student presentations on topical research oriented questions. This course will support graduate students to be effective “translators of discovery and knowledge”.

Prerequisite: Consent of department.

Instructors: Dr. Evangelos Michelakis, Dr. Gopinath Sutendra, and Dr. Glen Jickling

Note: If you have any questions, contact DoM Office of Research.

The course aim is to recognize the role of biomarkers in clinical research, including early phase trials and clinical care. Principals for the discovery of novel biomarkers at the preclinical and clinical level will be discussed. The syllabus includes a mix of short lectures, debate sessions, one-on-one and group discussions, along with student presentations on topical research oriented questions. This course is designed to align graduate students with the current trends in modern medical training and be effective “translators of discovery and knowledge”.

Prerequisite: Consent of department.

Instructors: Dr. Evangelos Michelakis, Dr. Gopinath Sutendra, and Dr. Glen Jickling

Note: If you have any questions, contact DoM Office of Research.

The course aim is to discuss the principles of candidate drug targets in disease and drug design. The importance of drug target validation at the cellular level, preclinical level and in clinical studies will be discussed. The syllabus includes a mix of short lectures, debate sessions, one-onone and group discussions, along with student presentations on topical research oriented questions. This course is designed to align graduate students with the current trends in modern medical training and be effective “translators of discovery and knowledge”.

Prerequisite: Consent of department.

Instructors: Dr. Evangelos Michelakis, Dr. Gopinath Sutendra, and Dr. Glen Jickling

Note: If you have any questions, contact DoM Office of Research.

The purpose of this course is to train graduate students in preparing grant applications in order to improve their chances of future success in obtaining research funds from a major Canadian federal funding agency such as the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. The course is targeted primarily towards students who have completed at least one year of graduate work. Preference will be given to those planning to pursue a PhD. Throughout the course, students will be instructed on how to prepare a complete grant application package on a topic that is different from their graduate project. The proposal will be prepared in stages and completed two weeks prior to the end of the semester. Students will then prepare and give presentations for a mock site visit by the funding agency. Students will also participate in a mock peer review committee and make final funding decisions.

Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.

Consent of Instructor: Dr. Vivian Mushahwar

Note: Enrolment is limited. May not be taken for credit if credit has already been obtained in NEURO 621.

A biweekly lecture course covering the important aspects of becoming a clinical investigator. Each session will include a lecture followed by a full class discussion and take home assignments related to the lecture. The topics include: clinical trial design, bioethics, biostatistics, literature appraisal, grant writing, manuscript writing, slide presentation for oral presentations, teaching enhancement, time management, ethics of industry liaisons, linking basic bench research to the bedside, technology transfer, career opportunities.

Prerequisite: Admission to the Clinician Investigator Program.