MERP Course Descriptions

The Medical Education Review Program (MERP) is a program designed and offered by Ross Health Sciences in cooperation with the faculty of the Ross University School of Medicine. MERP is a rigorous 15-week, one semester program designed to provide preparatory basic sciences course content typically offered during the four semesters of the Basic Medical Sciences Program in Dominica. The selected courses integrate and articulate with coursework and content offered in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd semesters.

MERP courses consist of the following:

Medical Chemistry/Biochemistry/ Molecular Biology/Genetics

  • Medical Chemistry/Biochemistry give a comprehensive description and understanding of chemical structures and processes important in the human body. These principles are necessary for the medical practice and for learning biochemistry. The information also contributes to the learning of the needed basics of physiology, pathophysiology, pathology, pharmacology, numerous clinical topics and laboratory diagnostics.
  • Molecular Biology/Genetics is a study of systems, mechanisms, and methods of molecular biology, genetic material – mutagenesis, replication, regulation, transcription, and translation – and its protein products and their biological functions. Principles and mechanisms of inheritance and variation will also be taught.

Human Physiology including Introduction to Biophysics

  • This course provides the basic principles of cellular and organ system functions. Emphasis is given to understanding and mastering concepts in biophysics, muscular, cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, gastrointestinal and endocrine systems. After each lecture pathophysiological mechanisms of diseases are presented to better illustrate the clinical significance of learned normal physiological functions. To encourage everyday learning, and prepare students for future heavy load of material, weekly quizzes are given with USMLE type multiple choice questions that test knowledge of previously lectured concepts. Special attention is provided to students who have previously experienced difficulty mastering complex course content. This pivotal subject well integrates with other basic science courses taught in this program providing the avenue for better understanding of the complex function of the human body.

Microbiology and Immunology

  • The course will cover fundamental concepts necessary for the acquisition of a solid understanding of the nature of infectious agents and the mechanisms for host resistance. Microbiology and Immunology serves as a “primer”, with focus on basic principles and the use of interactive exercises to underscore the importance of an analytical approach and the application of basic information for the resolution of clinical problems. The course will provide comprehensible, up-to-date explanation of the mechanisms involved in eliciting one’s immune response. It will also cover certain pathologies resulting from under-activating or over- activating the immune system.

Anatomy and Histology

  • The Anatomy course examines principal structures of the human body. This is done in MERP with special relation to Histology and Physiology. A clinically oriented anatomical reference is also provided.
  • The Histology course covers basic elements of histologic structure of various organ systems as also clinical correlations to microscopic structure. A concise explanation of abnormal histology is also provided during the course. Relevant clinical correlation is emphasized.

Foundations of Clinical Medicine

  • The objective of this course is to enable students to enhance the understanding and concepts of many of the topics being taught to them in the background of clinical learning. Clinical terminology is also taught to the students. Emphasis is placed on a focused history and physical as also on the basics of a physical examination. Patient-physician interrelationships are stressed. The course is taught in conjunction with the Anatomy and Histology component of the MERP course .

Learning Support Systems

MERP has a Supplemental Instruction (SI) program that is generally available for most of the semester. The MERP SI program is designed to offer students academic assistance in classes and areas that students find challenging. One of the objectives is to clarify concepts in various subjects. These are not mandatory sessions, but students are encouraged to attend these sessions when held. MERP attempts to hold these sessions as frequently as possible and tries to do so during the entire semester. The sessions are held after regular classes. Supplemental Instruction sessions attempt to enable students to master content while they develop and integrate learning and also attempts to improve study strategies. Some of the goals of MERP SI include: (1) improve student grades in targeted courses; (2) reduce the attrition rate within the courses; (3) increase the successful completion rate of students. The Director of MERP will also be the SI Coordinator.

Site

The Medical Education Review Program is offered in Miami at what is known as the 7000 building, and this is located on 7000 SW 62nd Avenue in South Miami. The 6th floor contains four classrooms and adjacent faculty offices and a study area. A Learning Resource Center with many desktops is also available. A wireless network is available. All of this is shared with the Advanced Introduction to Clinical Medicine (AICM) program which is the 5th semester program of Ross University School of Medicine. The administrative offices and some Faculty offices are located on the top floor (also called Penthouse A).

Faculty

MERP faculty is based in Miami and there are faculty members for each of the science disciplines represented in the curriculum (Biochemistry/Molecular genetics, Microbiology/Immunology; Physiology/biophysics, Anatomy/ Histology/ Foundations of Clinical Medicine). All faculty members hold either a M.D. or Ph.D. degree in their field of teaching and have established experience in teaching undergraduate/graduate or professional-level students.

Academic Policies

MERP adheres to academic policies specifically established for the MERP program. All academic matters, including grading policies and academic standards are within the purview of the MERP Advisory Committee, comprised of the Program Director and select member(s) of the MERP Faculty.

Successful completion of the Program will require a cumulative numeric average of 68 or above and a minimum of 58 or above in each individual course. All courses required in the curriculum are considered in the calculation. Any change in these criteria will be notified to the students

Three examinations (two mini-examinations and one Final examination) are conducted and these are attempted to be consistent with basic science semester examinations given on the Dominica campus.
MERP testing provides an appropriate context and rigor which students can expect upon promotion to the First semester at Ross University School of Medicine.

Any student not meeting the passing criteria during the semester will not be promoted to the Ross University program. Students are not allowed to repeat a course. MERP is a one-semester chance for a student to qualify for admission to Ross University School of Medicine.