New Jersey Medical School Courses

Cell Biology and Molecular Medicine (973) 972-4414

Stephen F. Vatner, M.D., Professor and Chair

Gross Anatomy. (Dr. Nagaswamisri Vasan, Course Director)
The gross structure of the major regions of the human body, head and neck, thorax and abdomen are studied in the laboratory by dissection and demonstration. Special emphasis and study are placed on the maxillofacial regions and their surgical anatomy as well as those parts of the nervous system, thorax and abdomen, which are clinically important. Lectures stress morphological concepts, functional correlations and practical application to clinical problems. Lectures on radiographic anatomy of the head and neck and the development of the human body are also integrated with the teaching of gross anatomy.

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (973) 972-4411

Michael B. Mathews, PhD, Professor and Chair

Dental Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. (Dr. Suriender Kumar, Course Director)
The chemical nature and bio-chemical functions of the cell constituents are taught with particular emphasis upon intermediary metabolism, biosynthetic systems and nutrition. The role of the inorganic elements in the maintenance of normal health is presented in considerable detail.

Microbiology and Molecular Genetics (973) 972-4483

Carol S. Newlon, Ph.D., Professor and Chair

Microbiology. (Dr. Emanuel Goldman, Course Director)
Microbiology is designed to acquaint the student with the various ways that infectious agents interact with the human host. The course uses lectures, reviews and, if necessary, individual tutorials to examine these interactions. Lectures are devoted to structure morphology and replication of viruses, bacteria and eukaryotic parasites. Host reaction to the presence of the agents (including, specifically, the response of the immune system) are also studied. Other host reactions such as hypersensitivity and immune mechanisms involved in transplantation and graft rejection are detailed. A large part of the course is devoted to the study of infectious diseases which may be transmitted by dentists and to which they are particularly susceptible, e.g., tuberculosis, hepatitis and HIV.

Pathology and Laboratory Medicine (973) 972-4520

Stanley Cohen MD, Professor and Chair

Immunology. (Dr. Marion Cohen, Course Director)
This course provides a comprehensive treatment of basic immunologic concepts as they relate to clinical disease states. The aim of the course is to give students a framework upon which they can build an understanding of disease processes relating to the immune system. Most diseases have an immunologic component, and many of the new therapies involve treatments which influence the immune system. Thus, in addition to basic information, the course focuses on defense against infection, hypersensitivity states and allergy, immunopathology, and transplantation.

Pharmacology & Physiology (973) 972-4444

Andrew P. Thomas, PhD, Professor and Chair

The dental teaching programs in the department are designed to combine a core of basic knowledge with understanding of fundamental principles. Courses in Physiology and Pharmacology, Pain Management include clinical correlation sessions to connect lecture and reading material to the practice of clinical medicine and dentistry. A combined DMD / PhD program is also offered. In addition, opportunities exist for students and clinicians who wish to pursue research related to any of our Faculty Research Interests . The department is strongly committed to its educational role at all levels, and strives to integrate top quality research with excellence in education.

Dental Physiology

Dr. Marguerite A. Stout, Course Director
This course, given to first year dental students, teaches general principles of human physiology. The application of these principles in the practice of dentistry is illustrated by appropriate examples.

Topics in Medical Pharmacology for the Dentist

Lester Sultatos, Ph.D., Course Director
Edward J. Flynn, Ph.D., Course Co-Director

This third year dental pharmacology course prepares the student for the rational and safe use of drugs in preventing and treating human disease. It familiarizes the student with drugs in general medical, principles of toxicology and general and sedation anesthesiology.

New Jersey Dental School Courses

Diagnostic Sciences (973) 972-7210
Michael Glick, DMD, Professor and Chair

Division of Oral Pathology
Deborah Cleveland, DDS, Division Director

Systemic Pathology. (Dr. Deborah Cleveland, Course Director)
This course, presented in the fall trimester of the sophomore year, takes the knowledge learned in "General Pathology" and applies it to specific diseases of each organ system. Students will learn the causes, pathogenesis, morphology and clinical course of various diseases, and will learn to correlate clinical presentation with pathologic changes at the biochemical, subcellular, cellular and tissues levels.

Histology. (Dr. Joseph Rinaggio, Course Director)
This course forms the basis for understanding much of the basic science curriculum, including pathology, microbiology, and immunology in lectures, faculty encourage students to correlate the structure and function of organelles, to recognize the similarities and differences among the four basic types of tissues and to appreciate how the arrangement of tissues in the various organs influences their function. Representative light microscopic and electron microscopic specimens from the various organ systems are examined with particular emphasis on the oral cavity.

General Pathology. (Dr. Lawrence Schneider, Course Director)
This course, presented in the spring trimester of the freshman year, serves as a bridge between the basic and clinical sciences. In this course students learn about the fundamental processes that underlie all diseases. Subjects of cellular pathology, inflammation and wound healing, neoplasia, hemodynamic derangements, immune disorders, and genetic disorders will be presented.

Oral Pathology. (Dr. Lawrence Schneider, Course Director)
The discipline of oral pathology represents the culmination of basic science education and its convergence with clinical dentistry. While gross anatomy, microanatomy, and general and systemic pathology are the building blocks upon which this course is built, oral pathology covers the strikingly diverse spectrum of abnormalities affecting the oral structures and tissues. The course consists of lectures, lecture reviews, differential diagnosis demonstrations, and clinical-pathologic case conferences. Abnormalities of the oral mucosa and jaws are covered by two parallel didactic/pedagogic methodologies. Lectures cover abnormalities of the oral mucosa and jaws in a sequence based on their etiology, irrespective of their clinical presentation.The second approach categorizes the diseases according to their clinical and/or radiologic features rather than their etiology. Cases exemplifying a wide range of clinical presentations are studied in differential diagnosis demonstrations and clinical-pathologic case conferences.

Oral Biology (973) 972-7053

Daniel Fine, DDS, Professor and Chair

Neuroanatomy. (Dr. Henry Edinger, Course Director)
The purpose of this first year course is to familiarize the student with the structure and function of the human central nervous system. The main area of study is functional neuroanatomy but the course also includes aspects of neuropathology, neuropharmacology and neurology.

Oral Biology. (Mr. David Furgang, Course Director)
This full year course includes a comprehensive treatment of oral embryology, growth and development, oral biochemistry, oral genetics and oral physiology. It consists of five modules (Growth & Development, Caries, Periodontal Disease, Wound Healing and Orofacial Pain) Each module presents a comprehensive coverage of the biological principles that apply to the clinical practice of dentistry.

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