I was wondering what the first 2 years are like in terms of class schedule. I would assume the anatomy block is the busiest, could you describe a typical week for us?
How much lecture/lab time per day?
How often are you tested?
If I remember correctly the lectures are audio recorded and placed online, is this true?
Is there any other huge pluses to UT besides the on-campus testing center and great board scores? Thanks in advance
Preclinical class schedule:
Year 1:
Block 1 - Biochem/Cell bio/Mol bio (12 wks)
Lecture generally 8AM-3PM, although some days there will be histology lab in the afternoon from 1-3 PM instead of lecture. 5 exams - 1 after the first 2 wks, 1 after the 2nd 2 wks, the 3rd one is 4 wks after the 2nd, and the 4th one is 4 wks after the 3rd. Cumulative final is 2 days after the 4th exam. You will probably have a Clinical Decision Making exam the same day or within 1 day of the final
Block 2 - Human structure and development (16 wks)
Anatomy/embryo/microanatomy lecture 8AM-12PM. In the afternoons, either lecture, histology lab, or gross lab (times vary). 3 long exam days - practical in the morning, written in the afternoon for each of the 3 units. Unit 1 is 7 wks, and easy to let yourself get behind.
Block 3 - Neuroscience/Behavioral science (10 wks)
Generally neuro 8-10 AM, Behavioral 10AM-12 PM. Some neuroanatomy labs, optional attendance. Neuro has 3 exams - a written in the middle, a written at the end, and also somewhere in the middle is a neuroanatomy practical. Behavioral has 2 exams, one in the middle and a final.
All year - Clinical Decision Making (ethics/health law/economics/policy/public health/problem-based learning sessions/clinical history and physical exam) - lectures and labs in the skills center spread throughout the year, generally at least 1x/week. 3 written exams, some skills exams on history taking and physical exam. Random ethics assignments and an ethics project.
Year 2
Block 4 - Immunity and Infection (13 wks)
Lecture 9AM - 12PM (don't be fooled, this class is probably the most work of any block, and this is coming from someone with a M.S. in microbio); 4 short labs spread throughout the course. Weekly quizzes (10 total, get to drop 2 lowest grades). 3 exams - 1 covering the first half, 1 covering the 2nd half, and a cumulative final 2 days after the 2nd exam.
Block 5 - Organ Systems (All year) - physiology, pharm, path, pathophys
1-3PM lecture during block 4; 8-12PM lecture when block 4 ends. Also, after block 4 ends, Org. sys. includes path labs, 1x/week (sometimes 2x/wk) from 1-3 or 1-4 PM. 2 short exams during block 4. 5 more exams spread through the rest of the year. 10 lab quizzes (can drop lowest 2 lab quiz scores)
Clinical Decision Making (Starts when block 4 ends, goes thru the end of the year). Same material as in 1st year, but more emphasis on physical exam. Also includes 1.5 wks on stats/epidemiology/evidence-based medicine) Lectures in the afternoons 1-3PM, more often than in first year. 2 written exams, 1 clinical case exam (similar to the cases we get in PBL), 1 OSCE exam. Similar ethics assignments and ethics project as in 1st year.
And, yes, the lectures are audio-recorded and posted online. Some days the lectures will take longer to post - sometimes they are up by 1 PM, other days they won't be up until 6 PM or later. There are archives of previous year's lectures if you want to listen ahead.
I hope I didn't forget anything, and I hope this is helpful. Good luck!
