Course Syllabus

Human Health and Disease: A Clinical Approach G

Note: Class times and topics are not final until Academic Orientation.

Semester & Location:	Spring 2026 - DIS Copenhagen
Type & Credits:	Core Course - 3 credits
Core Course Study Tours:	Western Denmark & Zagreb + Munich
Major Disciplines:	Biology, Pre-Medicine / Health Science, Public Health
Prerequisites:	One year of biology and one year of chemistry at the university level
Faculty Members:	Jessica Juntermanns and Luchen Tian
Course Assistant:	Umair Atif  Current students please use the canvas inbox to contact
Program contact:	Science and Health Department shsupport@dis.dk
Program Director:	Susana Dietrich
Time & Place:	Mondays & Thursdays, 15:30-17:30, Classroom: V10-A22 See calendar for exact dates as lecture times may vary.

Faculty
	Jessica Juntermanns Medical Doctor (KBU) at the Department of Neurology, Bispebjerg Hospital. Previously worked as a locum doctor in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Glostrup Hospital and Roskilde Hospital, and as a medical student in a General Practice, and at the Rigshospitalet Oncology Outpatient Clinic (FADL - Team leader role). Teaching experience includes teaching 1st-semester medical school at Panum, University of Copenhagen, and Course Assistant at DIS since 2021. Research experience spans the Biomedical Institute (cardio-hepatic development in children with obesity), including cardiac and liver MRI studies at Rigshospitalet, as well as dermatology research at Gentofte Hospital. With DIS since 2021.
	Luchen Tian Medical Doctor at the Department of Internal Medicine, Herlev Hospital, Copenhagen. Previously: Associate at Boston Consulting Group. Medical Doctor at the Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Bispebjerg Hospital and Lægehjørnet (General Practice). Student Researcher at the Department of ENT and Head & Neck Surgery, Rigshospitalet. Team Lead (Team Inspire) and Board Member at Synapse - Life Science Connect.  Course Assistant at DIS. With DIS since 2021.
Course Assistant
	Umair Atif   B.M. (Medicine, University of Copenhagen (UCPH), 2025). Anatomy demonstrator, Institute of Cellular and Molecular Medicine (ICMM), 2023. Cardiac CT Reader, Rigshospitalet, 2024. Orthopedic Surgical Assistant, Adeas Private Hospital, 2024. Respiratory Care Assistant, ICU, Rigshospitalet, 2023–2024. Clinical assistant, Frederiksberg Private Heart Clinic, 2023–2024. Nursing substitute, FADL 2022. With DIS since 2026.

Course Description

Note: Please be aware that the course does not provide regular medical training corresponding to that of medical students and does not include shadowing of doctors or physical examination of patients.

Learning Objectives

The objective of the course is to introduce students to the most important human diseases, their diagnoses and treatments, and the clinical working methods of physicians as practiced at a large, Danish university hospital in Copenhagen. Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

1. Write a structured medical report
2. Explain the rationale for the choice of tests and treatments in clinical practice
3. Complete basic clinical skills (suture, IV insertion, intubation) and give a basic explanation of the techniques
4. Discuss knowledge of human anatomy and physiology
5. Describe medical practice in a social, international, and scientific context

 

Readings

You are expected to complete the readings of each lesson, as outlined in the canvas calendar event for each day. The main books for the course are listed below. 

Available on Canvas (under the readings module)

• Clancy J, McVicar: Physiology and Anatomy for Nurses and Health Practitioners: A Homeostatic Approach (REFERRED TO AS PHYSIOLOGY AND ANATOMY)
  
• Ford MJ, Hennessey, I, and Japp, A: Introduction to Clinical Examination, 8^th Churchill Livingstone, London 2005: Ford. (REFERRED TO AS FORD)
• O'Neill P, Dornan T, Denning DW: A Core Text with Self-Assessment. Churchill Livingstone, 3rd Edition, 2008: O'Neill. (REFFERED TO AS ONEILL)
• Additional Readings as relevant will also be posted on Canvas

 

Field Studies

There will be 3 field study activities in this course.

Unlike field studies in your other classes, these will NOT take place on Wednesdays, but rather during your regularly scheduled class day during an extended time period into the evening. 

The first session called the Clinical Skills Session allows for students to rotate on stations to practice IV catheter insertions, suturing, and Nasograstotube insertion + intubation. This session will take place at DIS. A light dinner will be provided. 

The second session called the Emergency Medical Simulation Session is offered in collaboration with the Copenhagen Academy for Medical Education and Simulation (CAMES). This session focuses on the assessments and algorithms used in basic and advanced life support. This session will take place at Herlev Hospital. A light dinner will be provided. 

The third session will be a culminating Field Study Assessment at the end of the course, tying together what you learned at both of the previously mentioned sessions, and will represent a small portion of the overall grade for the course. This assessment session will take place at DIS. Dinner will not be provided. 

 

Course Roles

Faculty

You have two faculty members who will be the main instructor of your course. 

Course Assistant (CA) 

The Course Assistant is the 'red thread' of your course. They will attend each class session, grade all of your assignments, and travel with you for the first time to each new hospital destination as well as on study tour. If you have questions or need clarification about a reading or lecture material do not hesitate to speak up and/or contact the course assistant.  This is very important as the professors for this course do not have scheduled office hours. However in the case that a meeting is needed, please feel free to set up appointments with the CA and request the presence of the faculty as necessary. 

Guest Lecturer

Some class sessions will be taught by a guest lecturer for specific topics coordinated with the course faculty. 

 

Core Course Week and Study Tours

Core Course week and study tours are an integral part of the core course as we take the classroom on the road and see how theory presented in the classroom is translated to practice in the field. You will travel with your classmates and DIS faculty/staff on two study tours; a short study tour during Core Course Week and a long study tour to relevant European destinations.

Expectations for study tours:

• Participate in all activities
• Engage in discussions, ask questions, and contribute to achieving the learning objectives
• Respect the destination, the speakers, DIS staff, and your fellow classmates
• Represent yourself, your home university and DIS in a positive light
• Make observations to supplement the Study Tour Group Project (see Evaluation)

Learning Objectives:

The objectives of both the short study tour and the long study tour are:

• to describe medical practices in a social, international, and scientific context
• to showcase examples of clinical practice and health care systems in different sectors and countries
• to broaden the students’ view of the challenges that health care providers face
• to show examples of research with clinical relevance
• to explore and learn more about Denmark and other societies in Europe

 

Evaluation

Attendance

Attendance is mandatory for all scheduled class sessions, field studies, all five days of Core Course Week (CCW) activities, and all six days of Long Study Tour (LST) activities.

• Each absence from a class session or field study will automatically result in a deduction of 10 points from your attendance grade (out of 100 total points). 

• Each absence from an activity during CCW or LST will automatically result in a deduction of 10 points from your attendance grade (out of 100 total points). 
  • Missing multiple activities on the same day will result in multiple deductions (e.g., missing two activities in one day results in a total deduction of 20 points). Required activities may include academic, social, or cultural components of the program. 

• Exceptions to this point deduction policy can only be made if supported by prior approval from DIS Academic Support (e.g., for serious personal or family matters).

In Class Participation

This covers the following areas:

1. Level of preparation and ability to answer questions asked in class
2. Involvement in class and group discussions
3. Level of individual research and contribution to discussions
4. Contributions to visits and discussions on and related to the study tours

Patient Cases

During the semester, you will be presented with 2 patient case in class to submit as an individual assignment. You are responsible for suggesting, based on the case you get, an appropriate course of questions to get a detailed medical history that will allow you to structure a relevant clinical exam and an appropriate course of paraclinical investigations leading to a preliminary diagnosis. More detailed information will be provided in class.

One of the cases may be a clinical patient case where you will be presented with a real patient in class to submit as an individual case history about the signs, symptoms, ailments, and treatments for the specific patients that are introduced to the students.  More details will be given on this activity as the time approaches.

Formative and Summative Assessments

There will be a total of two Formative Assessments throughout the semester. These are in the form of a Multiple Choice Question Quiz. These assessments are timed, online (offered over a 3-day period) and open book. You will get two attempts at each assessment. Take special note that each attempt will include a randomized group of questions. That is, each of the two attempts will be different.

The Summative Assessment will take place at the end of the semester and can cover material from across the length of the course. This assessment is timed, online (offered over a 2-hour period) and open book. There is only one attempt. 

Study Tour Participation

This includes, but is not limited to:

• Fact Sheet Presentation
• Asking questions at visits
• Punctuality and respectfulness: Being on time, not falling asleep in the visit, etc. 
• Having their name tag at academic visits

Study Tour Project

Before going on the Short Study Tour, you will be divided into groups and be given a specific subject to focus on in your study tour project.  A more in-depth description of the study tour project will be provided closer to the short study tour. All parts of the project must be completed in order to obtain full credit for the project.

Field Study Assessment

This is a hands-on task that you will be asked to do based on the learnings you got from both field studies. You will be presented with patients cases and situations that you will have to act accordingly.

 

Grading

Attendance	7.5%
In class participation	7.5%
Formative Assessment (2 at 10%)	20%
Patient Cases (2 at 10%)	20%
Field Study Assignment	5%
Study Tour Project (Video and Discussion)	10%
Study Tour Participation	5%
Summative Assessment	25%

 

Policy on late assignments

Late patient cases will be accepted, but your grade will be reduced by half letter grade for each day that it is late. Anything submitted in the 24 hours after the deadline counts as the first day (for example - five minutes late counts as one day late). 

Missed Formative or Summative Assessments can not be re-opened. 

 

Electronics

Computer is allowed for class purposes. It is not allowed for other activities such as social networks, sending personal e-mails etc. If you use a computer for other purposes, it will affect your participation grade. Cell phone usage is not allowed in class. It is distracting to both your classmates and your instructors, so please keep them turned off. Otherwise, it will affect your participation grade.

 

Academic Regulations  

Please make sure to read the Academic Regulations on the DIS website. There you will find regulations on: 

• Course Enrollment and Grading  
• Academic Expectations and Honor Code 

DIS - Study Abroad in Scandinavia - www.DISabroad.org

 

***Note that some class days are marked as "No Class: Reserved for Makeup". This means that there are currently no classes scheduled on these days. However, as the doctors' schedules can change, it may become necessary to postpone a class and utilize one or more of these makeup days. You are still expected to attend class on any make-up days. For example, independent travel is not an excuse to miss any rescheduled classes.***