SCIENCE OF CUTANEOUS DISEASE
The practice of Dermatology encompasses diseases of the skin, mucosal surfaces, hair and nails. The scientific specialty integrates cellular and molecular biology, immunology, microbiology, and physiology to support patient care decisions. Learn basic science principles of normal and abnormal cutaneous functioning, building on the principles introduced in the MED SC-M 774 . These core concepts will be applied though interactions with patients in the clinical setting, building foundational basic science knowledge to diagnose and treat dermatologic diseases.
Prerequisites & course information
Requisites: MED SC-M 810 , 811 , 812 , and 813 Course Designation: Grad 50% - Counts toward 50% graduate coursework requirement Repeatable for Credit: No Last Taught: Spring 2026 Learning Outcomes: 1. Describe the process of normal keratinization and cellular factors that lead to disorders of keratinization Audience: Graduate 2. Explain the immunologic mechanisms underlying inflammatory dermatoses, including atopic dermatitis, allergic contact dermatitis, psoriasis, immunobullous disease, urticarial and acne vulgaris Audience: Graduate 3. Describe the cellular mechanisms of cutaneous malignancies, including non melanoma skin cancer, melanoma and cutaneous lymphoma Audience: Graduate 4. Explain normal hair and nail physiology Audience: Graduate 5. Identify key histologic features of normal skin Audience: Graduate 6. Recognize histologic patterns of cutaneous disease and explain the cellular mechanisms underlying these changes Audience: Graduate 7. Explain the mechanism of action of various dermatology medications and vaccines in the treatment and prevention of cutaneous diseases Audience: Graduate 8. Critically appraise primary literature as it relates to the etiology and/or treatment of skin diseases Audience: Graduate Learning Outcomes: 1. Describe the process of normal keratinization and cellular factors that lead to disorders of keratinization Audience: Graduate 2. Explain the immunologic mechanisms underlying inflammatory dermatoses, including atopic dermatitis, allergic contact dermatitis, psoriasis, immunobullous disease, urticarial and acne vulgaris Audience: Graduate 3. Describe the cellular mechanisms of cutaneous malignancies, including non melanoma skin cancer, melanoma and cutaneous lymphoma Audience: Graduate 4. Explain normal hair and nail physiology Audience: Graduate 5. Identify key histologic features of normal skin Audience: Graduate 6. Recognize histologic patterns of cutaneous disease and explain the cellular mechanisms underlying these changes Audience: Graduate 7. Explain the mechanism of action of various dermatology medications and vaccines in the treatment and prevention of cutaneous diseases Audience: Graduate 8. Critically appraise primary literature as it relates to the etiology and/or treatment of skin diseases Audience: Graduate
Sources
- Course catalogue ↗2026-2027