Study Sched

Chapters 5 & 6, and sample questions at end of each chapter. Bookmark figure 6.2 and refer to it before studying each biochemical pathway.

Continue Biochemistry

Assignments Chapters 11, 12, 13 & questions

Chapter 7 & questions

Chapter 8 & questions, Review Figure 6.2 again!

Chapter 9 & questions

Basic Metabolism

Day 2

Objective Structure & Metabolism of Carbohydrates

Glycolysis

Gluconeogenesis

Citric Acid Cycle

Hexose Monophosphate Chapter 10 & questions Shunt

Read Through Section Introductory First Aid Material from First Aid , and Skim Section II

General overview of material to be covered

Lippincott's Biochemistry

Lippincott's Biochemistry

Lippincott's Biochemistry

Lippincott's Biochemistry

Source Lippincott's Biochemistry

Lippincott's Biochemistry

Skim reactions and focus on G6PD deficiency

Focus on start and end points, place in overall metabolism, and regulation.

Study it by comparison to glycolysis. Know the reactions & regulation unique to gluconeogenesis.

Know the start and end points, hormonal regulation, energy yield, and various fates of pyruvate.

Details Review the digestion of sugars and disorders of fructose, galactose, and lactose metabolism. Spend more time on glycogen metabolism, its regulation, and related disorders. Use Figure 13.7 to memorize the glycogen storage diseases.

Understand the role of ATP. Know where the electron transport chain, and oxidative phosphorylation occur and how they fit into the overall metabolic scheme. Review the main classes of cell receptors and signaling mechanisms.

Learn about the test, and how to best use First Aid as a resource.

Source Details NBME CD-ROM or download Complete 150 sample questions, and note trouble areas to from www.nbme.org focus on.

General Overview & Begin Biochemistry

Assignments Complete sample test materials from NBME

Day 1

Objective Self Assessment

1 hr

1 hr

1 hr

1.5 hrs

Est. Time 3 hrs

2.5 hrs

4 hrs

Est. Time 3 hrs

Lippincott's Biochemistry

Chapter 20, Sect. I-VII

Chapter 20, Sect. VII

Continue Biochemistry

Assignments Chapters 1-4 & questions

Chapter 21 & questions

Cholesterol & Steroid Metabolism

Steroid Hormones

Day 4

Objective Protein & Enzymes

Digestion of Dietary Proteins and Nitrogen Metabolism

Lippincott's Biochemistry

Source Lippincott's Biochemistry

Lippincott's Biochemistry

Lippincott's Biochemistry

Skim Chapters 18, 19

Phospholipids & Glycolipids

Source Lippincott's Biochemistry

Continue Biochemistry

Assignments Chapter 17 & questions

Day 3

Objective Lipid Metabolism

Learn the various pancreatic proteases and how they are regulated. Understand transamination and oxidative deamination, but don't memorize pathways. Spend more time on urea cycle and ammonia metabolism focusing on figures 21.4, 21.11, 21.17.

Details Become familiar with basic properties of amino acids, levels of protein structure, hemoglobin, and collagen. For enzymes, focus on appreciating ( not memorizing) the Michaelis-Menten equation, types of enzyme inhibition, modes of enzyme regulation, and the use of enzymes in clinical diagnosis.

Know the major enzyme deficiencies in steroid synthesis and know where steroid receptors act in the cell. Study figures 20.19, 20.20.

Review cholesterol synthesis (esp. the role of HMG CoA reductase) and its regulation. Understand synthesis and role of bile salts. Review biology of lipoproteins and their role in atherogenesis. Key figures are 20.12, 20.14, 20.16.

Gain a sense of what these are, but do not memorize structures or pathways. Focus on related disorders instead, using figures 18.10, 19.4.

Details Focus on roles of pancreatic lipase and bile salts. Fatty acid metabolism: know where synthesis occurs, relationship to glucose metabolism, and role of triacylglycerols for storage of fatty acids. Review mobilization of and oxidation of fatty acids. Finally, carefully review eicosanoids, focusing on figure 17.20

2 hrs

Est. Time 4 hrs

1 hr

2 hrs

1 hr

Est. Time 3 hrs

Lippincott's Biochemistry

Lippincott's Biochemistry

Glycosaminoglycans and Skim Chapters 14, 15 Glycoproteins

Chapters 27, 28

Chapter 29

Finish Biochemistry

Assignments Chapters 24, 25, 26

General Pharmacology

Assignments Chapters 1,2

Chapters 3-7

Nutrition and Vitamins

Nucleotide Metabolism

Day 6

Objective Integrative Metabolism

Day 7

Objective Pharmacokinetics & Pharmacodynamics

Autonomic Drugs

Lippincott's Pharmacology

Source Lippincott's Pharmacology

Source Lippincott's Biochemistry

Lippincott's Biochemistry

Source Lippincott's Biochemistry

Continue Biochemistry

Day 5

Lippincott's Biochemistry

Objective Assignments Heme, Porphyrins, Chapter 23 Serotonin, Histamine and Catecholamines

Chapter 22

Metabolism of Amino Acid Carbon Skeletons

Know different types of adrenergic and cholinergic receptors cold. Study figures 3.3, 3.6, 4.2, 5.2, 6.15, 7.10.

Details Study general principles of pharmacology. Specific agents will be covered with relevant organ systems.

Details Synthesize the information you've reviewed this week by studying insulin, glucagon, the fed/starved states, and the metabolic aspects of diabetes mellitus. Time spent on these topics will be VERY WORTHWHILE.

Understand differences between de novo and salvage purine synthesis. Study purine degradation and the pathophysiology of gout and ADA deficiency. Study figures 29.7, 29.9, 29.10.

Know the daily energy requirements and vitamin deficiences. Focus on absorption of vitamin B12 and pernicious anemia, as well as vitamin D. Focus on figures 28.12, and 28.18.

Know what they are and know the related disorders. Don't get too bogged down in details - just study figures 14.12 and 15.4, then move on.

Details Focus on the porphyrias and bilirubin metabolism. Focus on figures 23.5 and 23.7.

Emphasize relevant disorders. Focus on figures 22.2, 22.16.

5 hrs

Est. Time 2 hrs

Est. Time 5 hrs

2 hrs

3 hrs

1 hr

Est. Time 1 hr

1 hr

Chapter 20

Chapter 34

Finish Microbiology

Assignments Chapters 22-29

Chapter 37

Chapters 30, 31

Chapters 35, 36

Fungi

Antifungals

Day 10

Objective Viruses

Antivirals

Parasites

Antiparasitics

Clinical Vignettes

Continue Microbiology

Assignments Chapters 28-33

Day 9

Objective Antibiotics

Begin Microbiology

Assignments Chapters 1-15

Day 8

Objective Bacteria

Underground Clinical Vignettes - Microbiology

Lippincott's Pharmacology

Clinical Microbiology made Ridiculously Simple

Lippincott's Pharmacology

Source Clinical Microbiology made Ridiculously Simple

Lippincott's Pharmacology

Clinical Microbiology made Ridiculously Simple

Source Lippincott's Pharmacology

Source Clinical Microbiology made Ridiculously Simple

Good for group study, and another way to keep sharpening buzzword recall.

Review antiprotozoal and antihelminthic agents, particularly multi-drug regimens

This is high yield material, read, review and continue to do Qbank questions to keep building buzzword associations.

Review antiviral agents, particularly mechanisms of action.

Details This is high yield material, read, review and continue to do Qbank questions to keep building buzzword associations.

This is high yield material, read, review and continue to do Qbank questions to keep building buzzword associations.

This is high yield material, read, review and continue to do Qbank questions to keep building buzzword associations.

Details This is high yield material, read, review and continue to do Qbank questions to keep building buzzword associations.

Details Rely heavily on charts. Start building buzzword associations with characterisitics of each organism and how is identified (with a special stain, culture medium, etc.) Also, time spent with Qbank questions here will be golden.

3 hrs

1 hr

2 hrs

1 hr

Est. Time 6 hrs

1 hr

1.5 hrs

Est. Time 6 hrs

Est. Time 10 hrs

BRS Pathology BRS Pathology

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Inflammation

Hemostasis

Genetic Disorders

Immune Dysfunction

Neoplasia

Environmental Pathology Chapter 7

Nutritional Disorders

Cellular Biology

Assignments Chapters 30 - 33

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Day 12

Objective DNA, RNA, Proteins

Cell Membranes

Nucleus

Chapter 8

BRS Pathology

Chapter 1

Cellular Injury

Details Know mechanisms of DNA repair, different types/roles of RNA, mechanism of translation, and molecular biology techniques. Focus on figures 30.2, 30.16, 30.19, 30.22, 31.11, 32.9.

Review vitamin deficiencies to refresh biochem memory.

Quickly review

Distinguish between tumor suppressor genes & oncogenes, know mechanisms of carcinogenesis, and the properties of malignant cells.

Focus on immune deficiency disorders, autoimmunity, and collagen vascular disease

Know coagulation cascade, types of embolism, and types of shock.

Distinguish mechanisms and histologic characteristics of acute vs. chronic inflammation.

Focus on mechanisms of cellular injury and differences between necrosis & apoptosis

Details Excellent, concise summary of immunology.

BRS Cell Biology & Histology Know contents of nuclei, and RNA import/export mechanisms.

BRS Cell Biology & Histology Know properties of membranes and membrane proteins.

Source Lippincott's Biochemistry

BRS Pathology

BRS Pathology

BRS Pathology

BRS Pathology

BRS Pathology

Source Medical Microbiology & Immunology: Examination and Board Review

Immunology & General Pathology

Assignments Part VII

Day 11

Objective Review Immunology

0.5 hr

1 hr

Est. Time 3.5 hrs

0.5 hr

0.5 hr

1 hr

0.5 hr

0.5 hr

1 hr

1 hr

0.5 hr

Est. Time 4 hrs

Chapters 1-4

Chapters 17, 18

Diagnostic Test

Thorax

Assignments Chapters 5, 11

Chapter 2 (Also use Netter's Atlas for reference)

Chapters 11, 15

Embryology

Birth Defects

Exam

Day 14

Objective Embryology of thorax

Thoracic Anatomy

Histology of thoracic viscera

Details Know the congenital cardiac abnormalities, and fetal circulation. Also understand the stages of fetal lung maturation.

Good opportunity to identify weaknesses in organ system areas.

Know stages from zygote through embryo. Review 3 Germ cell layers and their derivative tissues.

Details Know mechanisms of ion transport, action potentials.

BRS Cell Biology & Histology Be able to distinguish arteries and veins in cross section. Understand architecture of the gas diffusion barrier in the lungs.

High Yield Gross Anatomy

Source BRS Embryology

Board Simulator Series Body Systems Review

BRS Embryology

BRS Embryology

Source BRS Physiology

Cellular Physiology & General Embryology

BRS Cell Biology & Histology Review types of epithelia and locations of each. Review connective tissue focusing on bone histology.

Assignments Chapter 1

Chapters 5,6

Epithelia & Connective Tissue

BRS Cell Biology & Histology Know different types of collagen, basement membrane composition, and other ECM components.

Day 13

Chapter 4

Extracellular Matrix

BRS Cell Biology & Histology Review organelles and function

Objective Cell Physiology

Chapter 3

Cytoplasm

1 hr

3 hrs

Est. Time 3.5 hrs

2 hrs

1.5 hrs

3 hrs

Est. Time 1 hr

1.5 hrs

1 hr

0.5 hr

Chapter 13

Chapters 10, 12 (and a histologic atlas for further review)

Histology of Bone Marrow, Spleen, & Lymph Nodes

Hemorrhagic Disorders

Volume 1: Cases 1-19, Volume 2: Cases 52-66

Clinical Vignettes

Chapter 12

Chapter 22

Respiratory Pharmacology

Hempatopoietic & Lymphoreticular Neoplasia

Chapter 14

Respiratory Pathology

Finish Hematology

Assignments Chapter 4

Objective Respiratory Physiology

Assignments Chapter 11

Respiratory System & Begin Hematology

Day 16

Day 17

Chapters 16-19, 21

Cardiovascular Pharmacology

Objective Anemia

Chapter 9

Vascular Pathology

Good opportunity for group review.

Study this chapter thoroughly.

Details Know the various lung volume measurements, and understand acid - base disorders.

Know drugs used to treat CHF, HTN, arrhythmias, angina, and hyperlipidemia.

Study this chapter thoroughly.

Study this chapter thoroughly.

Details Review hemodynamics, electrophysiology, cardiac cycle, blood pressure regulation, responses to exercise, volume loss, altitude. Understand pre-load, after-load, Frank-Starling curve, and conduction.

BRS Pathology

BRS Pathology

Source BRS Pathology

Know how to diagnose and correct each disorder.

Distinguish between leukemia & lymphoma. Understand different types of each.

Details Know pathophysiology and lab differentiation of various etiologies of anemias.

BRS Cell Biology & Histology Familiarize yourself with lymph node architecture, and understand the spleen. Understand RBC, WBC, platelet lineages.

Underground Clinical Vignettes - Patho-physiology

Lippincott's Pharmacology

BRS Pathology

Source BRS Physiology

Lippincott's Pharmacology

BRS Pathology

BRS Pathology

Chapter 10

Cardiac Pathology

Source BRS Physiology

Cardiovascular System

Assignments Chapter 3

Day 15

Objective Cardiovascular Physiology

1 hr

2 hrs

Est. Time 2 hrs

3 hrs

2 hrs

0.5 hrs

1.5 hrs

Est. Time 1.5 hrs

5 hrs

1 hr

1.5 hrs

Est. Time 1.5 hrs

Gastrointestinal System

Assignments Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 24

Volume 1: Cases 40-73

Day 19

Objective Gastrointestinal Pathology

Hepatobiliary and Exocrine Pancreatic Pathology

GI Pharmacology

Clinical Vignettes

GenitoUrinary System

Chapter 6

GI Physiology

Assignments

Chapter 6

Histology of GI Tract

Day 20

Chapter 3 (Also refer to Netter's atlas)

Abdominal Anatomy

Objective

Gastrointestinal System

Assignments Chapters 10, 16

Volume 1: Cases 74-102

Clinical Vignettes

Day 18

Chapter 38

Anticancer Drugs

Objective Embryology of Gut and Body Cavities

Chapter 20

Drugs affecting coagulation

Details Understand rotation of gut and related malformations. Know which structures are derived of foregut, midgut, hindgut, in addition to vascular supplies.

Source

Underground Clinical Vignettes - Patho-physiology

Lippincott's Pharmacology

BRS Pathology

Source BRS Pathology

BRS Physiology

Details

Good opportunity for group review.

Know GI drugs as well as antiemetics.

Study this chapter thoroughly.

Details Study this chapter thoroughly.

Understand innervation of gut and gut hormones

BRS Cell Biology & Histology Know layers of gut wall. Understand liver structure, portal blood flow, and bile flow.

High Yield Gross Anatomy

Source BRS Embryology

Underground Clinical Vignettes - Patho-physiology

Lippincott's Pharmacology

Lippincott's Pharmacology

Est. Time

2 hrs

2 hrs

2 hrs

Est. Time 2 hrs

1 hr

1.5 hrs

2 hrs

Est. Time 1.5 hrs

2 hrs

1.5 hrs

1.5 hrs

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Volume 2: Cases 30-51, and 83-103 Underground Clinical Vignettes - Patho-physiology

Endocrine System

Assignments Chapter 13

Chapter 7

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Renal & Urinary Tract Pathology

Male Reproductive Pathology

Female Reproductive Pathology

Clinical Vignettes

Day 22

Objective Histology of Endocrine System

Physiology

Insulin and oral hypoglycemics

Steroid Hormones

Lippincott's Pharmacology

Lippincott's Pharmacology

BRS Physiology

Source BRS Embryology

BRS Pathology

BRS Pathology

BRS Pathology

Lippincott's Pharmacology

Chapter 23

Diuretics

Source BRS Physiology

GenitoUrinary System

Know different types of insulin and their half lives. Know classes of oral hypoglycemics and side effects.

Know hormonal axes

Details Review structure of endocrine organs, and use an atlas for additional pictures.

Good opportunity for group review.

Understand cervical, uterine cancer.

Know the different types of testicular cancer, and the biology of BPH and prostate cancer

Study this chapter thoroughly.

Details

BRS Cell Biology & Histology Know the maturation sequence of spermatocytes and ovarian follicles. Know the anatomy of the nephron.

Assignments Chapter 5

Chapters 18, 19, 20

Histology of GU Organs

High Yield Gross Anatomy

Day 21

Chapters 4, 5

Anatomy of Pelvis and Perineum

BRS Embryology

Objective Renal Physiology

Chapters 6, 13, 14

Embryology of GU Organs

1 hr

1.5 hrs

2.5 hrs

Est. Time 1 hr

2 hrs

1.5 hrs

1 hr

1.5 hrs

1.5 hrs

Est. Time 1.5 hrs

3 hrs

3 hrs

3 hrs

Body Systems III -

Nervous System

EXAM

Day 23

Nervous System

Assignments Chapter 2

Chapter 23

Volume 2: Cases 45-61, Anatomy Cases 40-56.

Chapters 8, 10, 11, 14, 15

Musculoskeletal System

Assignments Chapter 15

Chapters 1, 6, 7 (also use Netter)

Chapters 7, 8, 10

Day 24

Neuropathology

Clinical Vignettes

Neuropharmacology

Day 25

Objective Embryology

Anatomy of Limbs and Back

Histology

Chapters 1-23

Neuroanatomy

Objective Neurophysiology

High Yield Gross Anatomy

Chapter 8 (also refer to Netter)

Head & Neck Anatomy

Details

Review drugs used to treat epilepsy, Parkinson's. Also review anesthetics and analgesics.

Good opportunity for group review.

Know types of CNS infections, tumors, and vascular disorders.

Details Understand Synaptic transmission and axonal conduction

Details Know branchial arches/clefts and their derivatives. Understand the transition from neural plate to mature CNS. Know fate of neural crest cells.

Tough questions, but great explanations. Well worth the time to push yourself a bit and solidify the material you've learned.

Good opportunity for group review.

BRS Cell Biology & Histology Review histology of skin, muscle, bone, and cartilage

High Yield Gross Anatomy

Source BRS Embryology

Lippincott's Pharmacology

Underground Clinical Vignettes - Patho-physiology

BRS Pathology

Source BRS Physiology

High Yield Neuroanatomy

Source BRS Embryology

Board Simulator Series Body Systems Review

Underground Clinical Vignettes - Patho-physiology

Objective Assignments Embryology of Head, Chapters 7, 8, 9, 10 Neck, & Nervous System

Test 1

Volume 1: Cases 25-38

Clinical Vignettes

2 hrs

3.5 hours

Est. Time 1 hr

3.5 hrs

2 hrs

2 hrs

Est. Time 2 hrs

6hrs

2 hrs

Est. Time 3 hrs

1.5 hrs

2 hrs

Anti-Inflammatory Agents Chapters 39, 40 and Autocoids

Lippincott's Pharmacology

2 hrs

Volume 3: Cases 9-18, and 96-104. Underground Clinical Vignettes - Patho-physiology Also Anatomy: Cases 62-84

Body Systems II - Test 1

Clinical Vignettes

Exam

Read entire book

Final Review & Exam Logistics

Assignments

Biostatistics

Day 28

Objective Final Review

Rest & Relax

Exam Logistics

Chapters 9-12, 13

Psychotropic Drugs

Source

High Yield Biostatistics

Lippincott's Pharmacology

Source Underground Clinical Vignettes - Behavioral Sci.

Behavioral Sciences & Biostatistics

Assignments All cases

Day 27

Objective Clinical Vignettes

Board Simulator Series Body Systems Review

BRS Pathology

Chapter 22

Musculoskeletal Pathology

Source BRS Pathology

Musculoskeletal System

Assignments Chapter 21

Day 26

Objective Dermatologic Pathology

Prepare exam bag - with ID, ticket, directions to center, lunch.

Details Review Any Remaining Topics and finish practice questions.

Understand sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV. Be prepared to calculate risk, odds ratios, etc.

Details

Tough questions, but great explanations. Well worth the time to push yourself a bit and solidify the material you've learned.

Good opportunity for group review.

Details Focus on malignancies (melanoma, SCC, BCC) and refer to a dermatology atlas so that you can differentiate between them.

Est. Time 4 hrs

4 hrs

3 hrs

Est. Time 3 hrs

2 hrs

2 hrs

1.5 hrs

Est. Time 1.5 hrs