Pre-Clinical Curriculum
The pre-clinical curriculum extends from August of the first year to December of the second year. It is divided into three phases-Fall I, Spring I, and Fall II.
Fall I is a five-month unit titled Foundations Basic to the Science of Medicine. This unit consists of three modules, containing integrated material from the traditional disciplines of Biochemistry, Genetics, Molecular Biology, Physiology, Gross and Microscopic Anatomy. The modules (each six weeks), in order of presentation are: Core Concepts (CC); Cardiovascular-Respiratory-Renal (C-R-R) and Gastrointestinal-Metabolism-Nutrition-Endocrine-Reproduction (GI-M-N-E-R).
The modules deploy a variety of learning venues, which include didactic lectures, laboratories, case conferences, and small group problem solving sessions. Learning materials consist of textbooks supplemented by syllabi, journal articles, and designated web sites. A single final grade for Foundations Basic to the Science of Medicine is rendered to the Registrar and appears on the transcript.
Spring I occurs from January to June and is divided into three successive 8-week teaching blocks, separated by exams and vacation time. General Immunology and Principles of Pathology and Pharmacology modules are offered in Block 4. Head and Neck Anatomy is offered in Block 4 and precedes the Nervous System module, which occupies Blocks 5 and 6. The Nervous System module has contributions from anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, pathology, and pathophysiology. Components of the Infectious Disease module taught in Blocks 5 and 6 include microbiology, virology, pathology, pharmacology, and pathophysiology. The Behavioral Science module in Blocks 5 and 6 include development, psychiatry, and psychopharmacology. Bioethics occurs in Block 5. All examinations are modular.
Fall II encompasses the period between August and December of the second year, and consists entirely of modular teaching. The major contributors to these modules (which are depicted on the accompanying chart) are pathophysiology, pathology, and pharmacology.
Afternoons twice a week throughout the pre-clinical curriculum are reserved for two courses, Integrated Problem Solving and Patient, Physician and Society. Both of these courses build and expand upon the material presented in the morning.
The Fall 2 Grading System for academic year 2009-2010 is Honors, High Pass, Pass, Marginal Pass, Fail, with the exception if IPS and PPS in Fall I, in which the Pass-Fail system is used.
Grading System - For Matriculating Students Beginning August 2009.
Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Medicine
Pre-Clinical Curriculum for Blocks 1-8
Effective August 2006
| Pre-clinical Curriculum | Credits | Weeks | Block Number | ||
| Fall I Foundations Basic to Science of Medicine (FBSM) |
40.0 | 16 | 1-3 | ||
| FBSM: Core Concepts | (14.5) | 6 | 1 | ||
| FBSM: Cardiovascular Resp-Renal (CRR) |
(11.5) | 5 | 2 | ||
| FBSM: GI-Met-Nut-Endo- Reproduction (GIMNER) |
(14.0) | 5 | 3 | ||
| Patient, Physician & Society -1 | 4.5 | 16 | 1-3 | ||
| Integrated Problem Solving - 1 | 4.0 | 16 | 1-3 | ||
| Total Credits | 48.5 | . | . | ||
| Spring General Pathology & General Pharmacology |
4.0 2.5 |
7 | 4 | ||
| Head and Neck Anatomy | 4.5 | 7 | 4 | ||
| Immunology | 5.0 | 7 | 4 | ||
| Behavioral Sciences | 6.5 | 14 | 5-6 | ||
| Bioethics | 2.5 | 7 | 5 | ||
| Infectious Disease | 13.0 | 14 | 5-6 | ||
| Nervous System | 14.0 | 14 | 5-6 | ||
| Patient, Physician & Society- 2 |
6.0 | 21 | 4-6 | ||
| Integrated Problem Solving- 2 | 4.5 | 21 | 4-6 | ||
| Total Credits | 62.5 | . | . | ||
| Fall II Cardiology |
4.5 | 7 | 7 | ||||
| Respiratory | 3.5 | 7 | 7 | ||||
| Renal | 4.0 | 7 | 7 | ||||
| Hematology | 5.0 | 7 | 7 | ||||
| Hard and Soft Tissues | 3.0 | 7 | 8 | ||||
| Gastroenterology | 4.0 | 7 | 8 | ||||
| Endocrinology | 3.5 | 7 | 8 | ||||
| GU/Gyn | 3.0 | 7 | 8 | ||||
| Genetics | 3.0 | 7 | 8 | ||||
| Age Related Topics | 2.5 | 7 | 8 | ||||
| Patient, Physician & Society - 3 |
7.5 | 14 | 7-8 | ||||
| Integrated Problem Solving - 3 | 3.5 | 14 | 7-8 | ||||
| Total Credits | 47.0 | . | . | ||||
| Grand Total Credits | 158.0 | . | . | ||||
Daily Schedules
Fall I
| 8 a.m. - Noon | 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. |
| Block 1 (6 Weeks) | |
| Foundations Basic to the Science of Medicine (FBSM) Core Concepts |
Integrated Problem Solving Patient, Physician and Society |
| Block 2 (6 Weeks) | |
| FBSM: Cardiovascular; Respiratory & Renal (CRP) |
Integrated Problem Solving Patient, Physician and Society |
| 8 a.m. - Noon | 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. |
| Block 3 (6 Weeks) | |
| FBSM: GI; Metabolism; Nutrition; Endocrinology & Reproduction (GMNER) |
Integrated Problem Solving Patient, Physician and Society |
Spring
| 8 a.m. - Noon | 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. |
| Block 4 (8 Weeks) | |
| Immunology General Pathology General Pharmacology Head & Neck Anatomy |
Integrated Problem Solving Patient, Physician and Society |
| Block 5 (8 Weeks) | |
| Nervous System Behavioral Science Infectious Disease Bioethics |
Integrated Problem Solving Patient, Physician and Society |
| Block 6 (8 Weeks) | |
| Nervous System Behavioral Science Infectious Disease |
Integrated Problem Solving Patient, Physician and Society/OSCE |
Fall II
| 8 a.m. - Noon | 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. |
| Block 7 (10 Weeks) | |
| Hematology/Oncology Cardiology Respiratory Renal |
Integrated Problem Solving Patient, Physician and Society |
| Block 8 (10 Weeks) | |
| Endocrinology Hard and Soft Tissue (HST) Gastroenterology (GI) Genetics Genitourinary/Gynecology (GU/GYN) Age Related Topics (ARTS) |
Integrated Problem Solving Patient, Physician and Society |
Pre-Clinical Electives
A Pre-clinical Student on a full course load may take a maximum of three elective credits per block. Students on academic warning or probation must have a signed approval of a Dean in the Office of Student Affairs to take any elective.
Pre-clinical students cannot enroll in any elective which is scheduled to meet at the same time as a pre-clinical course for which the student is enrolled.
Advancement to the Clinical Curriculum
Students must have passing grades in all pre-clinical courses and must make a passing grade on the Basic Science Comprehensive Examination before they will be allowed to begin core clinical clerkships. For students matriculating prior to 2009: In addition 50 percent (excluding IPS and PPS credits) of all the course credits must be Pass, High Pass or Honors in pre-clinical courses offered in Fall I and Spring I and 60 percent of courses offered in Fall II to be promoted to core clinical clerkships.