Medical Biochemistry

Course Director: Mark Elliott, Ph.D.
Medical Educator: Glenn Walker, Ph.D.

he major objectives of this course are: to provide the first year medical students a solid foundation in the biochemical concepts which are needed for the practice of medicine. In addition, the course requires the students to use this material in problem solving. The course has evolved over time from a traditional biochemistry course into a course which places major emphasis on the clinical aspects of biochemistry. Two major strengths of the course are the continuity in the course, and the multiple modes of teaching which have been incorporated into the course, thus giving the students more control over their education.

Over the past years thirty years the course has received excellent reviews, both formal and informal. Over the years, Dr. Walker has received eight “Golden Apples”, an award given by the second year students to acknowledge excellence in teaching basic sciences. Dr. Walker was also the first inductee into the GWU Medical Center Distinguished Teachers Society.

tarting this year, the department has introduced several new programs to enhance the academic experience of our MS1 and MS2 classes at the school of medicine. These programs include:

1. Summer Lab Program - This program will provide opportunities for medical students to participate in a minimum 2-week research laboratory rotation to expand your research skill and interest in academic medicine while working and/or observing an exciting scientific project relevant to modern medicine.
For a listing of Short Medical Biochemsitry Projects for Summer 2011, please click here.

2. Quarterly Breakfast – This will provide an opportunity for members of the Biochemistry faculty to interact with a group of selected students in an informal setting. The department will closely work with the Class President and Council to develop guidelines to select such students from the class following the principles of a wider, one time participation by the class.

3. Nobel Laureate Lecture Series/ Student Roundtable – This will be an annual lecture series program with an opportunity for select students to participate in an intimate roundtable discussion with our distinguished guest. The first of such forum, named, “A conversation with the Nobel Laureate”, is scheduled on September 29th, 2-3 pm. The department will closely work with the Class President and Council to develop guidelines to select two students each from MS1 and MS2 classes for the future lectures.

4. Annual Biochemistry Department Research Retreat – A group of medical students will be invited to participate in the annual department faculty research retreat, usually in January/February, and present their experience in the medical biochemistry (MS1 class) and research projects if they have completed a research laboratory rotation under the supervision of Biochemistry faculty and principal investigators (MS2 class).