Health Sciences

Students who are interested in Health Sciences have found great success in starting their undergraduate academic careers taking an FLC.  There is no better way to get an understanding of the practice of medicine than to learn from health care professionals your freshman year!

Microbes: Friends or Foes?

Microbes: Friends or Foes? - FLC 609

Microbes are so small you can’t see them, but they can kill you! Microbes cause strep throat, H1N1, colds and many really horrific diseases such as Ebola, bird flu, and Hantavirus and they can help determine whether you’re thin or fat. Other microbes are truly the engineers of our planet, helping to make the air we breathe and the food and drink we consume. We’ll explore myths and truths about microbes and their interactions with humans and the environment. Classroom activities and assignments will focus on growing microbes, disease investigation simulations, illustrated lectures, and fieldtrips to hot springs, a lava tube, a brewery, a medical lab, and the waste water treatment plant. The ideas that you encounter in the seminar will be carried over into English 101, where you will write and think critically about issues dealing with microbes. The classes are closely linked with similar learning outcomes and shared assignments, including a final project (Microbe Blog!).

Combines: BIOL 110ENGL 101
Meets: TR 9:30 AM - 10:45 AM
Mitchell Hall 204
TR 11:00 AM - 12:15 PM
Mitchell Hall 204
CRN: 4836322064
The 21st Century Physician

The 21st Century Physician - FLC 610

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What will it be like to be a physician in the 21st century? In this class we will explore some of our historical roots and also look abroad, as we attempt to answer this question. You will learn about such diverse topics as smallpox, malaria, disaster planning, trauma surgery, and international relief missions. We will have several interesting guest lecturers and go on some memorable field trips (all during scheduled class time). If you are interested in a career in medicine and want a broad exposure to the field, this class is for you!

Combines: ARSC 198ENGL 101
Meets: TR 9:30 AM - 10:45 AM
Ortega Hall 109
TR 11:00 AM - 12:15 PM
Ortega Hall 109
CRN: 3759144378
Dental Health Professions

Dental Health Professions - FLC 612

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The dental health professions include dentistry, dental hygiene, dental laboratory technology, and dental assisting. All of these careers continue to be in high demand nationally, and especially in the state of New Mexico. The format of this seminar will consist of a blend of lectures and field trips to various clinical, laboratory, and educational settings in Albuquerque. Students will be encouraged to explore experientially whether career choices in this area match their interests, as well as their educational and vocational objectives. The presentations you develop in Public Speaking will be about topics we are studying in the Seminar. In this way, students enrolled in this LC will learn public speaking skills specifically geared toward their roles as dental health professionals and also learn about the dental health professions with communication sensitivity.

Combines: CJ 221ARSC 198
Meets: TR 2:00 PM - 3:15 PM
Communication & Journalism 104
TR 3:30 PM - 4:45 PM
Communication & Journalism 245
CRN: 4752933840
The Biology of Toxins

The Biology of Toxins - FLC 613

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Sex, drugs, and rock-&-roll - what’s the connection? What’s up with Botox? Why is anthrax so fearsome? Can we depend on the FDA to ensure that the medicines we take are safe? These and other questions will be explored as we study natural and manmade toxins and delve into the uses - including bioterrorism and drug abuse - that man makes of these diverse and ubiquitous compounds. Lectures will examine the physiology, biochemistry, and medical uses of naturally-occurring toxins, while student-conducted discussions of the medical, psychological, and sociological ramifications of topics covered in lecture will be used to enhance students’ learning experience. Finally, students working in small teams will research a toxicology topic of their choosing, and discuss their results during an oral presentation. In ENGL 102 you will improve your writing and critical analysis skills through expository compositions and in-class debates based on these topics.

Combines: ARSC 198ENGL 101
Meets: TR 9:30 AM - 10:45 AM
Mitchell Hall 109
TR 11:00 AM - 12:15 PM
Mitchell Hall 109
CRN: 3383022066
The History of Surgery

The History of Surgery - FLC 616

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Who were the first surgeons? Does conflict bring new advances to medicine? How has the role of physicians in the media evolved over time? What is the future of surgery? In this seminar, students will explore the historical foundations of modern surgical practices. The class will consist of the review and discussion of primary and secondary sources, guest lecturers, and time spent at specialized facilities in the health science center such as the BATCAVE (the patient simulation center). An emphasis will be placed on small group discussions and presentations, and allowing students interested in medicine to get hands-on experience in a hospital setting and face-time with physicians.

Combines: ARSC 198ENGL 102
Meets: MWF 2:00 PM - 2:50 PM
Dane Smith Hall 232
MWF 3:00 PM - 3:50 PM
Dane Smith Hall 232
CRN: 3384934361
So, You Want to be a Doctor

So, You Want to be a Doctor - FLC 628

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We will explore the medical profession in literature and by interacting with medical students and physicians at different stages in their training and practice. What attracts us to the field? What personal characteristics may be strengths or weaknesses for a career in medicine? We will develop strategies for creating the strongest professional school application possible, including ways to schedule required pre-med courses to optimize performance. We will learn about the importance of volunteer, research and shadowing experiences and we'll work on creating a strong personal statement. We will also hear from reps from the School of Medicine's admission office and members of the admissions committee. This class is not open to students enrolled in the BA/MD program.

Combines: ARSC 198CJ 130
Meets: MWF 8:00 AM - 8:50 AM
Communication & Journalism 258
MWF 9:00 AM - 9:50 AM
Communication & Journalism 104
CRN: 3759534311
The Management of Disasters

The Management of Disasters - FLC 645

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We will introduce students to the professional field of Emergency Management and examine how communities plan for natural disasters, disease outbreaks, and acts of terrorism and mass violence.  Students will learn how to assess the risks that are tied to human geography and where we live.  The UNM campus will serve as the real-life community for this course and students will work closely with the UNM Emergency Manager to evaluate and manage campus risks.  Upon completion of the course, students will be eligible to become members of the Campus Community Emergency Response Team.  Assignments will include written evaluation of campus risks and creation of potential solutions, the use of GPS and GIS technologies to visualize and map risks and vulnerabilities and class presentations.

Combines: GEOG 102ARSC 198
Meets: TR 12:30 PM - 1:45 PM
Dane Smith Hall 125
TR 2:00 PM - 3:15 PM
Mitchell Hall 212
CRN: 4753533819