UC Davis curriculum

[gracietiger]

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Haven't read much on here regarding UC Davis' new curriculum. How's it going? I know that this year will have a lot of kinks to iron out, but is it seeming to work out with the less class time? Is there more PBL? More time for independent study?

 

[heylodeb]

Mostly, I haven't commented on it much because we really aren't that far into it. We're still in our first "foundations" block and have only had one exam. However, a little later this evening, I'll try to put some thoughts (and some things my classmates have been saying) onto paper. I've considered blogging my experience through the curriculum if this would interest anyone but don't want to spend my time on it if no one would read it. 😉 (we're talking 1-2 blogs per block)

Overall opinion so far: It's going well.

 

[AHorseOffCourse]

I'm really enjoying it. The reduction in class time is awesome - but be prepared to put in your own time researching and reading to solidify and clarify the concepts being taught. I the it's s huge change if you are used to having everything (meaning information) given to you, but I've found it to be very enjoyable and engaging in a way that the traditional curriculums have a hard time achieving. I think that my classmates that complain they don't have enough time to prepare for exams aren't considering that if they were under a traditional curriculum they would have half as much time to prepare (because there are approximately twice as classroom hours in a traditional curriculum ), in addition to having to prepare for tests in unrelated subjects. I appreciate that all the material being taught is integregated AND since all classes are part of a centrally coordinated block, there are no conflicting exams - just one exam every 2 weeks or so that tests on all material being taught during the block.

I think one change some of my class mates are struggling with is changing from "studying for the test" mode, to "studying for knowledge and understanding". But overall I think its going well and everyone is starting to get the hang of it.

 

[gracietiger]

Thanks for the feedback! heylodeb, I, for one, would love to read a blog about the curriculum, but of course, that's up to you! Thanks for sharing that you think it's going well.

I am curious - b/c the number of hours spent in the classroom is reduced a great deal, are the remaining hours that would normally have been spent in class spent doing group work? I know the semester is still young, but is my impression correct that that is the way the curriculum is going? Or, are you guys finding that it allows for more independent learning time?

Thanks again for all of the thoughts!

 

[AHorseOffCourse]

In this block, there aren't very many small group exercises, so most of the time is spent on self, independent study. Each block is different and I would assume that other blocks will have significant amount of time devoted to the small goup assignments, but it's hard to say for sure right now.

I must say I am LOVING my first year of vet school, I don't feel overwhelmed, and while it is a lot of information, it all fits together so nicely and reinforces concepts that I'm finding it entirely doable.

 

[littlesooyon92]

I am WAY far behind before I even dream of applying to UC Davis Vet Med, but what is the new curriculum about?

I know I read it on the school website somewhere, but could someone explain to me in their own words, like what was it like before? and what is it like now?

kind of compare and contrast? :3