Thermodynamics is a branch of physics that deals with questions concerning energies and work of a system. It is one of the key topics for understanding processes in the universe as well as any separate system like a gas mixture or a single cell in a biological system. Thermodynamics is included in the university curriculum for engineering, chemistry and physics students as well as medical student curriculum. This paper outlines the problems faced by first year medical students learning thermodynamics at Riga Stradinš University. We describe a medically relevant context based approach to teaching that demonstrates the interdisciplinary nature of medical chemistry, molecular biology and biochemistry. Our method provides a model in which disciplinary barriers are diminished and increased effectiveness of teaching is achieved. Key words: interdisciplinary teaching, medical chemistry, thermodynamics, teaching and learning thermodynamics.
COMPETENCE APPROACH TO TEACHING MEDICAL CHEMISTRY
