Systems-Based vs Subject-Based Curriculum (School-by-School)

[dctim211]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Since a lot of us are going to have some time as we wait for batch 2 acceptances to begin, I was hoping to use all of you great SDNers to create a list of schools that have a Systems-based curriculum versus schools that separate classes based on different subjects (ie. Microbio, Anatomy, Histology, etc). For me, the organization/presentation of didactic coursework is going to play a big role when I am deciding on which school to attend (if I have the luxury of having a choice, that is), and so I'm hoping you all will find this useful too.

This is something schools have on their websites, but I figured it would be easier to just have everyone respond with the schools they've interviewed at and what they learned in regards to the respective school's curriculum.

Buffalo - Subject
Louisville - Subject
Marquette - Systems
MDW - Systems
Nebraska - Subject
UCLA - Systems
UMDNJ - Subject
UNLV - Subject
USC - Systems
Western - Systems

Note: Many people have made the point that even the schools that take a systems-based approach tend to have separate classes for certain classes such as Head & Neck Anatomy, Gross Anatomy & Immunology.

 

[Sauce]

UCLA is systems based. Pretty much any school is going to have a separate gross anatomy class and probably a few others (for example micro and pharm are separate classes for us) that lend themselves better to be taught in a traditional fashion.

 

[dctim211]

UCLA is systems based. Pretty much any school is going to have a separate gross anatomy class and probably a few others (for example micro and pharm are separate classes for us) that lend themselves better to be taught in a traditional fashion.

Thanks Sauce! Yeah, I've noticed that this is a common approach since something like Gross Anatomy is so intensive that it just needs to be its own course. There are schools, however, that are completely subject based, so I guess that is what I'm trying to flesh out with this.

 

[Just Peachy]

Western is mostly systems based. You do gross anatomy, head and neck anatomy, molecular and cellular basis of medicine,and immunology separately though before going into the systems.

 

[toothbrite]

Marquette- Systems Based

 

[UBDent19]

Buffalo-subject
Nebraska-subject
UMDNJ-subject

 

[dctim211]

Western is mostly systems based. You do gross anatomy, head and neck anatomy, molecular and cellular basis of medicine,and immunology separately though before going into the systems.

Marquette- Systems Based

Buffalo-subject
Nebraska-subject
UMDNJ-subject

Thanks guys! I've updated the list with the schools you posted.

 

[Rlow04]

Midwestern AZ is 100% systems based. You do a system per week and take a test every Tuesday.

 

[FutureDent020]

Louisville is subject based

 

[toothbrite]

MWU- IL - Systems Based
Michigan- Subject Based

 

[lemoncurry]

just wondering, is this something that current dental students get concerned about? I figure whatever curriculum style the school is, there is going to be so much information thrown at you that you won't even have time to worry about the manner in which it is presented.

Maybe it is just me, but I found that I'm so busy trying to stay afloat that such a question of systems vs. subject would be so way completely at the end of my list of things to worry about. I can't help but chuckle to myself when I see pre-dents getting all passionate about stuff like this when the reality of dental school is filled with all sorts of other stuff that is much more vital to your survival.

 

[toothbrite]

just wondering, is this something that current dental students get concerned about? I figure whatever curriculum style the school is, there is going to be so much information thrown at you that you won't even have time to worry about the manner in which it is presented.

Maybe it is just me, but I found that I'm so busy trying to stay afloat that such a question of systems vs. subject would be so way completely at the end of my list of things to worry about. I can't help but chuckle to myself when I see pre-dents getting all passionate about stuff like this when the reality of dental school is filled with all sorts of other stuff that is much more vital to your survival.

I have heard that the first part of the boards are systems based. I guess when you are weighing between schools which one prepares you most for the boards is pretty important...

 

[jeffity]

What makes a difference is the learning style. Are you a summer school kind of person who wants to focus on one thing (system) at a time and be tested on it? Or do you like long semesters and 10 finals at once?

I'm down with the likes of Midwestern and ASDOH style. Both take boards at the end of year one as well. I'm down for that too.

 

[lemoncurry]

I guess I don't feel I have the luxury of choosing which style I am going to be taught in. Teachers and classes all differ so much that I have gotten used to accepting what is thrown at me (and believe me, stuff gets thrown at you like crazy). Any accredited school should prepare you adequately for Boards assuming that you have put in the work.

 

[glo1984]

I guess I don't feel I have the luxury of choosing which style I am going to be taught in. Teachers and classes all differ so much that I have gotten used to accepting what is thrown at me (and believe me, stuff gets thrown at you like crazy). Any accredited school should prepare you adequately for Boards assuming that you have put in the work.

Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't LLU SOD systems based? Thanks.

 

[FutureDent020]

I have heard that the first part of the boards are systems based. I guess when you are weighing between schools which one prepares you most for the boards is pretty important...

After learning it all, it's really easy to piece together. With system based learning, you can just piece it together a little quicker. And this could in fact be an advantage. But as someone else said, all curriculums will teach you the necessary information for boards. Everyday our professors say "this is important and will be tested on boards". And "you will not be tested on this here, but it may show up on the boards". It comes down to how you prepare yourself.

 

[dctim211]

Anyone else wanna help out?...