The first two years of medical school focus on developing foundational science knowledge and integrating that knowledge with clinical skills. Phase 1 courses are designed to advance competency in medical knowledge with an emphasis on the basic sciences to form a foundation for clinical competency.
UDOS = Understanding Diseases of Organ Systems
Transitions 1 takes place for two weeks at the beginning of August.
Foundations of Clinical Practice 1 and Health Systems Science 1 run for the whole year, except during vacation breaks.
In mid-August, students begin Human Structure, which runs for nine weeks. In late October, the seven-week Molecules to Cells and Tissues course begins.
In mid-December, students have a three week winter vacation.
In mid-January, courses resume with Fundamentals of Health and Disease for six weeks. In late February, students take the Host Defense course for six weeks.
In early April, there is one week of spring vacation.
The final course of Phase One Year One is Neuroscience and Behavior (six weeks), followed by 11 weeks of summer vacation starting in late May.
Year 1 course descriptions
All course-level objectives are derived from specific objectives within one of seven ACGME competencies. These objectives are referenced in parentheses in each course description.
Review all competencies and learning objectives
In Transitions One, medical students begin to develop an appreciation of their role as health care professionals by acquiring knowledge, skills and attitudes that will shape their medical education and self-understanding as they undertake patient care as a novice member of a health care team.
In the course Foundations of Clinical Practice Year One, medical students develop clinical skills, gain knowledge about the field of medicine, and explore the social context of health and disease.
In the Health Systems Science Year 1 course, medical students engage with health systems science topics, such as health care policy and economics and health systems improvement, using discussions, journal-clubs, guided reflections and interprofessional education opportunities.
In the Human Structure course, students’ gain knowledge of the functional and developmental relationship between anatomical structures, organs and organ systems. This enables them to explain the anatomic (microscopic and macroscopic) basis of common clinical conditions, injuries, diseases and functional deficits.
In the Molecules to Cells and Tissues course, medical students gain knowledge of fundamental concepts in molecular, cell and tissue biology, and in clinical genetics to enable them to explain the molecular, biochemical and cellular underpinnings of health and various disease states.
The Fundamentals of Health and Disease course advances student knowledge of physiological, pathophysiological and pharmacological principles to enable them to describe maintenance of normal physiologic functions and discuss disease states and drug treatments in terms of altered cellular and tissue function.
Students’ knowledge of the immune system and the pathogenesis of infectious organisms enable them to formulate appropriate diagnostic and interventional strategies for the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases and immune-mediated pathologies.
Students’ knowledge of the physiology, pathophysiology and pharmacology of the brain and the nervous system and their knowledge of mind-body interactions enable them to describe the major diseases of these systems, including their signs and symptoms, behavioral patterns, histopathologic and clinical laboratory characteristics, and rationale for current therapeutic interventions.
Beginning in August, the Cardiovascular and Hematology course runs for six weeks. In mid-September, the Renal and Respiratory course begins and also last for six weeks. The Gastrointestinal System and Nutrition course begins in early November and runs for six weeks.
Foundations of Clinical Practice 2 and Health Systems Science 2 courses both run from August through December.
In mid-December, students have a three week winter vacation followed by time for the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) Comprehensive Basic Science Examination (CBSE). In mid-January, students take the Endocrine, Reproductive, Musculoskeletal and Dermatologic course for six weeks. They also continue in Foundations of Clinical Practice 2 and Health Systems Science 2.
In March, students have protected time for United States Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE) Step 1.
Year 2 course descriptions
All course-level objectives are derived from specific objectives within one of seven ACGME competencies. These objectives are referenced in parentheses in each course description.
Review all competencies and learning objectives
Students in the Foundations of Clinical Practice Year Two course advance clinical knowledge and skills, expand communication skills, and increase understanding of the social context of health and disease in order to prepare for third-year clinical rotations.
In the Health Systems Science Year 2 course, medical students engage with health systems science topics, such as health care policy and economics and health systems improvement, using discussions, journal-clubs, guided reflections, and interprofessional education opportunities.
Through the Cardiovascular and Hematology course, students gain knowledge of the physiology, pathophysiology and pharmacology of the cardiovascular and hematologic systems, which enables them to describe the major diseases of these systems, including their signs and symptoms, histopathologic and clinical laboratory characteristics, and rationale for current therapeutic interventions.
The Renal and Respiratory course advances students’ knowledge of the physiology, pharmacology and pathophysiology of the respiratory and renal systems to enable them to describe the major diseases of these systems, including their signs and symptoms, histopathologic and clinical laboratory characteristics, and rationale for current therapeutic interventions.
Students in the Gastrointestinal System and Nutrition course gain knowledge of the physiology, pathophysiology and pharmacology of the gastrointestinal system to enable them to describe the major diseases of this system, including their signs and symptoms, histopathologic and clinical laboratory characteristics , and rationale for current therapeutic interventions including the application of principles of nutrition and their role in health and disease.
The Endocrine, Reproductive, Musculoskeletal and Dermatologic course advances students’ knowledge of the physiology, pathophysiology and pharmacology of the endocrine, reproductive, musculoskeletal and dermatologic systems. This enables students to describe major diseases of those systems, including their signs and symptoms, histopathologic and clinical laboratory characteristics, and rationale for current therapeutic interventions. Students in this course also explore ethical and psychosocial issues related to wellness and illness within these four body systems.