Med School Curriculum

[bringinit247]

What is the typical curriculum in med school? I would imagine the first two years you take general science classes, such as pharmacology, immunology, anatomy, etc. . . And then do some hands-on stuff the next two years. But I really have no idea. Also, when do most students decide on what they want to specialize in?

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[kimi]

Most of the schools websites have their curriculum online. I'm not sure myself, but I would guess students start to figure out if they want to specialize during third and fourth year rotations, using those experiences to decide on their residency. I'm goin to be a first year at nsu so i'm just throwing that out there.

 

[bringinit247]

Moderator can you move this to the Osteopathic forum, please?

 

[andrea]

Here's the curriculum at KCOM. I'm sure the other schools are similar. Hope this helps!

FIRST YEAR
Contact Hours
Gross Anatomy I, II and III 213
Osteopathic Theory and Methods I, II and III 154
Radiology 9
The Complete DOctor
Interviewing Skills
Physical Exam Skills
Public Health
Preventive Medicine
Medical Ethics
Human Sexuality 98
Biochemistry I and II 115
Clinical Experiences (two weeks) 80
Histology and Embryology I and II 80
Human Nutrition 32
Immunology 22
Medical Microbiology 44
Neuroscience I
Neuroanatomy
Neurophysiology
Neurology
41
Pathology I 30
Physiology I and II 110

Total hours 1028

SECOND YEAR

Dermatology 20
Infectious Diseases 57
Neuroscience II
Neurology
Neuroanatomy
Neurophysiology
Neuropharmacology
59
Neuroscience III 30
Ophthalmology 18
Orthopedic Surgery 18
Osteopathic Theory and Methods IV, V and VI 41
Otorhinolaryngology 18
Pathology II, III, and IV 108
Pediatrics 36
Pharmacology I and II 102
Principles of Medicine I, II, and III
Allergy
Cardiology
Endocrinology
Gastroenterology
Geriatric Medicine
Hematology
Nephrology
Oncology
Pulmonology
170
Principles of Surgery I and II
Anesthesiology
Surgery
Surgery Lab
66
Rheumatic Diseases 18
The Complete DOctor
Behavioral Medicine
Case Presentations
36
Women's Health 36

Total hours 829

Introduction to Rotations - required orientation - although no hours are assigned, this must be completed to begin clinical rotations.

Optional Cranial Elective 20

Since the curriculum is a dynamic process at KCOM, changes may occur in the length, sequence and offering of courses. Official schedules will be distributed to the student at the beginning of each quarter.

THIRD-YEAR CORE ROTATIONS

Family Medicine 4 weeks
General Internal Medicine 8 weeks
Obstetrics/Gynecology 4 weeks
Pediatrics 4 weeks
Psychiatry 4 weeks
Rural or Underserved Family Medicine 4 weeks
Surgery 4 weeks
Radiology 2 weeks
Anesthesiology 2 weeks

FOURTH- YEAR REQUIRED ROTATIONS

Critical Care 4 weeks
Primary Care Selectives 8 weeks
Emergency Medicine 4 weeks
ENT 2 weeks
Family Medicine 4 weeks
Medicine Electives 8 weeks
Orthopedics, Neurology or Physiatry 4 weeks
Pediatric Electives 4 weeks
Electives 8 weeks

 

[bringinit247]

Wow. . . That seems like a ridiculous amount of classes. . . Are they all full-time classes, or are some of those brief seminars?

 

[andrea]

A lot of the classes are pretty intense, like Anatomy, Biochem. Pharm... basically any of the subjects on the boards. In the second year, though, we have classes that introduce us to the different specialties, and those aren't quite so bad. Don't let the curriculum intimidate you. If hundreds of students have gotten through it, you can do it too.