With the new curriculum at UHS going into its second year, there have been many concerns over whether or not it has been working. Here is one example of its success. The first year students that was the first class to go through the curriculum was assessed by the USMLE basic science Shelf Test. Previously, only second year students were able to take it, and for those who scored a 45 or better, everyone of them had then went on to pass the COMLEX. Well, the average grade for the FIRST YEARS was over a 50! This was a big boost to the confidence of our curriculum. Just to add, 6% of the first years who took this test actually received a passing score! Keep in mind that none of these students had actually started studying for boards, this was just to see how the new curriculum was affecting the students.
UHSJoe, So, what's the passing score? It's not the 45, right? Because if 6% of the first years passed and the average score is over 50, it doesn't seem to make sense. This is not intended to debunk your statement, just to clarify for myself and others. Thanks.
Actually, A 62 is a passing score. There were afew students who did that and a lot more who are looking real strong going into the 2nd year. Congrats to my fellow students and congrats to the curriculum.
UHS is starting the second year of the "new cirriculum". In the past, UHS has had a traditional program in which year 1 consists of Anat, Phys, Biochem, Histo, etc. and year 2 builds upon that info with path, pharm, micro, IM... you get the picture. The new program is following a current trend in medical education that takes a systems based approach to education. The year is divided into "blocks" in which there is a different focus in each one. If a given block is dedicated to an organ system, say cardiovascular, all CV anatomy, phys, path, pharm etc. is covered at one time. In 4-6 weeks, students have an exam and a new system is started. The idea has many pros and cons that I won't go into here. UHS had a rough start with this program. Last year, second years were on the old system and first years on the new one and some professors were pissed about the whole thing, but everything seems to be smoothing out now. After this year, they will have completed a full round of first and second year classes. With time the bugs will be worked out and it looks like it will be a better program than that of the past.
