New approach to teaching basic science courses: Biochemistry and molecular biology in the block system of curricular design

The overarching goal for curricular content in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology was to enable students apply basic science material to the clinical setting. The traditional curricular delivery system was modified to allow students to immerse themselves in one topic, to enable students to achieve a 90 percent competency level, to encourage peer teaching, and to enhance communication skills. Students received 216 contact hours in two blocks. Educational activities included lecture, case-based learning, presentations, and role-playing. Ail activities sought to apply basic scientific principles to clinically relevant situations. Novel methods of curricular delivery were designed to enhance student achievement. Student evaluations revealed the ability to apply basic science principles to clinical situations. They demonstrated a deeper understanding of the subject matter as evidenced by the achievement of 90 percent competency. Additionally, they showed improvement in social and academic skills. Curricular redesign can contribute to achieving desired educational outcomes. Nontraditional teaching methods can foster greater depth of knowledge and enhance the integration of basic and clinical sciences.