Program Focus

This course introduces students to the scientific foundations of modern medicine through the study of human biology and health. Modeled on introductory pre-med and medical school–level coursework at Emory University, the program helps students understand how the human body functions in both healthy and diseased states. Students will explore core concepts in human physiology, basic cell biology, and organ systems, while learning how disruptions at the molecular and cellular level lead to disease. Emphasis is placed on scientific reasoning, critical thinking, and understanding how biomedical research informs clinical practice. Rather than focusing on memorization, the course trains students to think like early-stage medical students — connecting biological mechanisms to real-world health outcomes and medical decision-making. Key areas of study include: • Fundamentals of human physiology and major organ systems • Cell structure, function, and biological signaling • Biological mechanisms underlying common diseases • Foundations of medical research and clinical thinking • Reading and interpreting introductory biomedical literature