Teaching:
- Interactive lecture on general anatomy and the musculoskeletal system (VL MSS)
- Practical tutorial on the musculoskeletal system (ÜB MSS)
- Course on integrated organ systems (KURS ORG), including histology and embryology
- Neuroanatomy seminar (SEM NERV)
- Preparation and dissection course on the musculoskeletal system (KURS MSS)
Course content and structure:
Interactive lecture
General anatomy and the musculoskeletal system (VL MSS)
24 x 2 (= 48) hours
(Lecture in German, repeated in English)
This lecture series teaches the foundations of general anatomy including the structure, the mechanics and the function of the musculoskeletal system.
The first part of the lecture series (16 of 24 lectures) covers the following: basic anatomical concepts, anatomical axes and planes, structure and mechanics of connective tissue, cartilage, bone and muscles, bone connections, the structure of joints, an overview of the skeletal system, systematic anatomy of the spine, skull and chest.
The second part of the lecture series covers the functional anatomy of the extremities with an emphasis on the joint. The course material is conveyed through interactive lectures, mini cases, graphics, PowerPoint presentations, multiple choice questions from the American State Examination (USMLE) and anatomical x-ray images (from the University Institute of Radio Diagnostics). The final examination, part 1, is both written and oral. It takes place in combination with the final test for the practical tutorial. There is a final oral examination in part 2, in combination with the final test on preparation and dissection.
Practical tutorials on the musculoskeletal system (ÜB MSS)
11 x 2 (= 22) hours
This series of tutorials imparts essential vocabulary in Latin, German and English for describing the bones and joints of the musculoskeletal system. This includes skeletal sections, detailed bone descriptions, joints, articular surfaces, joint movements (planes, axes), the ligaments of the spine and limb joints. The course content is conveyed in supervised self-study groups with 7 participants. Based on detailed written instructions and demonstrations on prepared joint and ligament specimens, students are able to independently study the skeleton and bone models. This culminates in both a written and an oral examination.
Course on integrated organ systems including histology and embryology (KURS ORG)
(anatomy = 48 hours)
(Course in German, repeated in English)
This is a joint lecture series, which is carried out in combination with histology and embryology. Systematic and functional anatomy, as well as the specific histology and embryology of the organ systems (lymphatic system, skin, cardiovascular system, respiratory system, digestive system, endocrine system, sensory organs, urinary and reproductive system) is conveyed with reference to radiology (x-ray anatomy). The course material is covered in interactive lectures, microscope investigations, PowerPoint presentations, graphics, multiple-choice questions from the American State Examination (USMLE) and anatomical x-ray images (from the University Institute of Radio Diagnostics). There is both a written and oral examination at the end of the lecture series, together with a histology and embryology examination.
Seminars in neuroanatomy (SEM NERV)
17 x 2 (= 34) hours
These seminars focus on the independent study of the systematic anatomy of the nervous system and serves as an introduction to neurological diagnostics and basic aspects of neuroradiology (University Clinic of Neuroradiology and University Clinic of Neurosurgery). A further focus is the improvement of self-study and encouragement of problem-oriented learning. Students are taught how to deliver effective presentations and how to give constructive feedback on their colleague’s presentations. After a general overview of the nervous system the following areas are explored: structure and function of the spinal cord, peripheral nervous system, brainstem, cranial base, interbrain, cerebrum, meninges, venous and arterial system, sensitive conducted pathways, locomotor system and the sophisticated brain functions. The course comprises of 13 mini cases (POL), presentations (2 groups of 21 students each)
and anatomical models. There is no frontal teaching. These seminars culminate in both a written and an oral examination.
Preparation and dissection course on the musculoskeletal system (KURS MSS)
9 x 3 (= 27) hours
The aim of the course is impart the skills necessary for the independent study of the musculoskeletal system through preparation and dissection.
The name, location, approaches and origins, function and innervation of the muscles of the extremities are taught. Joint structures are examined in depth. Independent study is carried out in 6 small groups of 7 participants using preparation and dissection instructions. In addition, injection techniques are taught by traumatologists and orthopedists (on the 7th day). On the 9th day there is an oral test on the prepared specimen. This is an informal test, which must be successfully completed but does count towards the final grade.
Examinations
1st year examinations (summary): There is both a written and an oral examination for the courses musculoskeletal system (part 1), organ systems and the nervous system tests. 80% of the written examination is based on open questions (40 points), which must be answered by inserting the appropriate term. The remaining 20% (10 points) is in English and follows the American multiple-choice system, which is taught in lectures.
Students who achieve a grade 3 or more (musculoskeletal system part 1, organ systems and the nervous system) are not required to do an oral examination. Students who achieve a grade 4 or 5 are required to pass an oral examination in order to continue. The grade awarded for this course is based on the written examination and cannot be improved through the oral examination. It counts towards 1/3 of the overall grade. The musculoskeletal system part 2 is examined orally in German with reference to the prepared specimen. This part is not graded but must be successfully completed. All examinations (3 written/oral and 1 oral) must be successfully completed by the start of the 2nd academic year, thereby ensuring active participation in the preparation and dissection course (TOPO course).
2nd year in human medicine
Courses:
- Interactive lecture on topographic anatomy (VL TOPO)
- Preparation and dissection course on topographic anatomy (KURS TOPO)
- Practical tutorials on topographic anatomy (OVR TOPO)
- Seminar on clinical aspects (SEM KLIN)
Course content and structure:
Interactive lecture on topographic anatomy (VL TOPO)
36 x 1 (= 36) hours
Lecture held in English
The course provides students with technical skills and the necessary foundation for the preparation and dissection course "Topographic Anatomy of the Body". Topographic and functional anatomy of the entire human body, as well as preparation and dissection techniques are taught.
Additionally, questions from the 1st part of the American State Examination(USMLE) are studied.
Teaching is carried out using PowerPoint presentations, preparation and dissection demonstrations and USMLE exam questions. The interim assessment test takes place as part of the preparation and dissection course.
Topographic anatomy preparation and dissection course (KURS TOPO)
36 x 2 (= 72) hours
The course imparts the necessary skills for the study of the topographic anatomy of the human body through independent preparation and dissection following given instructions. A further aspect is the consolidation of the acquired topographic knowledge with regard to function, tomographic anatomy and imaging techniques such as X-ray, CT, MRI and ultrasound.
The independent study of the topographic anatomy of the entire human body is split into 4 sections including the following: surface anatomy, projection of organs, subcutaneous conduction pathways, neck, thorax, abdomen, pelvis, brain and spinal cord, head, conduction pathways of the extremities, correlation between tomographic anatomy and imaging techniques (neck, thorax, abdomen, pelvis, head, joints). The above areas are studied through independent preparation (not pre-preparation) and assisted self-study periods in 6 small groups with 7 participants. At the end of each course section there is an interim oral test in English on the prepared specimen. The tests must be passed but will not be graded. All 4 continual assessments tests must be successfully completed before the final examination.
Seminar on clinical aspects (SEM KLIN)
36 x 1 (= 36) hours
The seminars interlink preclinical and clinical training within a clinical framework. Surgical approaches and methods, imaging techniques for diagnosis and clinical pictures with reference to anatomical structures are taught. Teaching is carried out by means of interactive demonstrations held by clinical physicians at the University Clinics. There is no examination.
Practical tutorials on topographic anatomy (OVR TOPO)
12 x 4 (= 48) hours
The aim of the tutorials is to deepen and consolidate knowledge acquired in the TOPO course. The material studied includes textbooks and interactive software (Sobotta interaktiv, Primal Pictures). Independent Investigations are carried out in preparation and dissection during self-study periods.
Examinations
There are 4 oral tests held in English on the preparation and dissection course (TOPO). These are carried out with reference to the prepared specimen at the end of each course section. The tests must be passed but will not be graded. All 4 continual assessments tests must be successfully completed before the final examination.
Final anatomy exam
20 hours
The final exam consolidates the anatomy course contents and serves as preparation for the 1st part of the American State Examination (USMLE). The final exam (written in English) consists of 50 MC questions based on USMLE exam questions. The result of the written final exam counts towards 1/3 of the overall grade.
Grades are given according to the key below:
<33 points (66%) = grade 5 (fail)
≥ 33 points (66%) = Grade 4 (pass)
≥ 37 points (74%) = Grade 3 (satisfactory)
≥ 41.5 points (83%) = grade 2 (good)
≥ 46 points (92%) = grade 1 (very good)
The final oral exam, held in groups of 4 students, (exam time approx. 15 - 20 mins. per candidate) deals with the complete course content including functional anatomy, aspects of histology, embryology and clinical studies. The examination is conducted in German by internal staff, namely, Prof. Eckstein, Dr. Kurz and Dr. Hudelmaier together with an external examiner from another university. Students are questioned on a topic that they have independently researched and prepared (usually an organ or an anatomical structure). Knowledge tested covers topography, structure, blood supply, innervation (if relevant) and function, including relevant histological, embryological, physiological and clinical aspects. Each candidate receives at least 2 subjects taken from 3 areas: musculoskeletal system, organ systems, nervous system. The oral examination counts towards 1/3 of the overall grade.
The oral examination is graded as follows:
- lack of knowledge in important areas = grade 5
- knowledge deficits, which may be disregarded = grade 4
- smaller knowledge deficits, but largely independent development of the prepared topic, or complete answers without knowledge deficits, nevertheless insufficient independent development of prepared topic = grade 3
- Complete and independent development of the prepared topic = grade 2
- Complete and independent development of prepared topic exceeding curriculum requirements and the ability to answer complex questions on an additional subject = grade 1
In addition to all continual interim assessment tests, a pass in at least one of the two final examinations (written or oral) is necessary to successfully complete the anatomy course. The award of grade 5 in both final written and final oral exams requires a positive result in an oral retake. The overall grade for anatomy is derived from the average of 3 written tests in the 1st academic year (1/3), the final written exam taken in English (1/3) and the final oral exam (1/3).
