Every year, the field of orthopaedic research and surgery grows at the intersection of neuroscience, biomechanics, and bone health. With the expansion of the field, we wish to introduce undergraduate students to orthopaedic science and help to spur their interests in orthopaedics.

This DeCal works alongside the Bone Health Initiative, which is based on the awareness-raising endeavors of the American Bone Health (ABH) organization whose mission is “to mobilize communities with timely bone health information that supports strong and healthy bones and prevents osteoporosis and fractures.” That being said, this DeCal will begin with educating you on how to maintain healthy bones and prevent osteoporosis while also training you on how to educate others on this topic. At the end of the Module 1, you will have the choice to enroll as an official peer educator at ABH in training or to remain as a learning student. After the first unit, the course will develop into a more scientific approach to orthopaedics, focused on anatomy, physiology, and biomechanics.

This course is 2 unit (pass/no pass) and is split into three lecture-based modules: Volunteer Training, The Musculoskeletal System, and Orthopaedic Biomechanics. The class will be mainly lecture-based with a few interactive workshops and simulations. The course will offer an enriched curriculum on bones, from general health and education to the anatomy and physiology of the human musculoskeletal system to biomechanical mechanisms for human movement and fractures. At the end of the semester, you will be either a peer educator or a student, well-rounded and well-versed in bone health education, maintenance, science, and presentation. You will also have a basic understanding of bone health and orthopaedics—in both macro and micro views.