one other thing is that it's an integrated, systems-based model now, rather than the traditional subject-and-organ based. i.e. we don't take "biochemistry," "anatomy," "genetics," "pathology," "cell biology," etc classes .... we do these modules ... "musculoskeletal system," for example, where we do the related genetics, anatomy, histology, pathology, biochemistry, etc that are all related to that system. the plan is to make the preclinical years more longitudinal and integrated, rather than broken up into discreet classes. so we'll be doing some anatomy, histology and histopath thruout the entire year, rather than as discreet class blocks. make sense? anyway, i like it better this way and was actively seeking a school w/this type of curriculum, so i'm happy w/the way things are going.
and sp is right about the thesis thing ... it's not like a duke thesis, from what i can tell, where they encourage an entire year of research or whatnot. but you do have to do something independent- on your own initiative, seek out something "scholarly," (as sp put it), work on it and write something up about it. that's the most that we know about it, really.
and yeah ditto about the FCE, the longitudinal stuff, and the ending preclinical stuff early to get in some extra electives in the 4th year to better explore the clinical offerings.
