The M.D. Curriculum
The UCI medical curriculum continues to meet the changing needs of medical education within all four years of instruction. Indeed, the School of Medicine faculty views curriculum development as a continual process and feels that medical education and teaching innovations must be encouraged and supported. The curriculum is designed to encourage medical students to become participants in their education process, to be active rather than passive learners, to become lifelong learners, and to use cooperative and team-learning principles.
UCI is dedicated to the nurturing of humanistic, caring physicians with top-notch clinical expertise and skills. The School strives for this through a curriculum that is not only anchored in the science of medicine but also provides meaningful experiences in the humanistic dimensions of medicine. In this context, the faculty endeavors to provide students with experiences in areas such as communications and empathy, ethics and professionalism; diversity awareness; and cultural sensitivity and medical humanities. The faculty also feels that the curriculum should strive to integrate basic and clinical sciences by bringing substantial clinical material into the early phases of medical education.
The School has achieved vertical integration of the curriculum with the development of a series of "Clinical Foundations" courses. The courses are longitudinal multidisciplinary experiences broadly designed to prepare students for their future careers in medicine through the application of experiential and self-directed learning principles. First- and second-year students begin to prepare for their clerkships through clinical exposures featuring standardized patients and clinical tag-along experiences. These courses also utilize small group learning sessions to reinforce core concepts of patient-physician interactions and introductory clinical reasoning skill development. During the Advanced Clinical Foundations course (years three and four) students explore many of the crucial issues first presented during the introductory courses. During this segment greater emphasis is placed on advanced skill acquisition and more mature professional role development.
To satisfy the requirement for the M.D. degree, each medical student must successfully complete the full curriculum. Students must also pass both Step 1 and Step 2 of the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) and successfully pass a Clinical Practice Examination (CPX) prior to graduation.
An ongoing academic monitoring program is coordinated by the Office of Student Affairs, which identifies students early who might be experiencing academic difficulty and provides them with resources to successfully complete their course work. Faculty advisors are assigned to students during their first and second years. Students have advisory sessions with M.D. faculty prior to the scheduling of their third- and fourth-year course work. A Learning Resources Program is available to provide tutorial assistance and study skills training. USMLE reviews are also provided.
CURRICULAR POLICIES
The curricular policies of the School of Medicine are the responsibility of the faculty committees on Curriculum and Educational Policy and on Promotions and Honors. A listing of these policies, as well as information regarding registration, rules and regulations, grading procedures, and requirements for academic advancement, are contained in the School of Medicine Handbook, which is available at http://www.healthaffairs.uci.edu/som/meded/forcurrentstudents/currentstudents.html.
First and Second Years: Basic Science and Preclinical Course Work
First Year |
Second Year |
Clinical Foundations I |
Clinical Foundations II |
Anatomy and Embryology |
Medical Microbiology |
Neuroscience |
General and Systemic Pathology |
Histology |
Clinical Pathology |
Medical Genetics |
Medical Pharmacology |
Medical Biochemistry |
|
Molecular and Cell Biology |
|
Physiology/Pathophysiology |
|
Immunology |
|
Epidemiology and Biostatistics |
Third- and Fourth-Year Requirements1
Clinical Foundations III |
Clinical Foundations IV |
Obstetrics and Gynecology |
Senior Subinternship2 |
Surgery |
Family Medicine |
Inpatient Medicine |
Intensive Care Unit |
Ambulatory Medicine |
Emergency Medicine |
Pediatrics |
Substance Abuse |
Psychiatry |
Neurological Surgery |
Neuroscience |
Electives |
Radiology |
1The sequence
of third and fourth years varies.
2Prerequisite: Inpatient and Ambulatory
Medicine.
Curricular Description
FIRST-YEAR CURRICULUM
Clinical Foundations I
Clinical Foundations I, first of the three-part Clinical Foundations series, serves as the introductory clinical medicine course for first-year medical students. Participating students learn core skills in physician-patient communication, medical interviewing, physical examination, and health promotion. The course is comprised of 11 sections that are horizontally integrated with the Gross Anatomy course. The series includes a variety of small and large group sessions taught by three types of faculty: core teachers, content theme coordinators, and community preceptors. Students complete multiple medical interviews, physical examinations, and patient write-ups for which they receive feedback designed to improve proficiency.
Anatomy and Embryology
The structure of the human body is taught in Anatomy and Embryology. Emphasis is placed on normal structure as it relates to function, with consideration of abnormal structures that may be revealed in a clinical setting. Anatomy is taught through a regional approach, with an emphasis on laboratory dissections and demonstrations, augmented by lectures, radiographic films, discussions, and clinical correlate material. The course includes a detailed consideration of the embryologic aspects of human development. (Medicine 500A-B)
Neuroscience
The objective of this course is to provide students with the fundamental concepts, vocabulary, and learning strategies to attain a level of proficiency in basic integrative neurosciences so that they will develop an understanding in the clinical neurosciences throughout their careers as physicians. The course is integrative in the sense that the underlying knowledge of molecular, cellular, physiological, developmental, and neuroanatomical organization of the nervous system is brought together in each lecture block with clinical themes and examples in lectures, and which is further reinforced by clinical correlates given by clinicians. The course emphasizes knowledge of the nervous system using lessons from clinical neuroanatomy, systems neurosciences, and regional and developmental neuroanatomy. The course uses the Blumenfeld text, Haines atlas, wet lab handouts, and the Neurosyllabus CD, which are all geared toward mastering this multiple strategy to the study of the human nervous system. (Medicine 502A)
Histology
Histology is designed to provide students with knowledge of the cellular and subcellular bases of medicine. Emphasis is placed on normal structure as a basis for function, with consideration of abnormalities of structures in clinical cases. Lectures, laboratory exercises, and independent study address how cells are formed, how cells are combined to form tissues, and how tissues are combined to form organs. (Medicine 503A-B)
Medical Genetics
Medical Genetics reviews the basic principles of human genetics related to disease. Assessment of patterns of genetic risk, screening for genetics diseases, and cytogenetics and biochemical diagnosis are presented. Utilization of the human gene map and DNA sequence information for molecular genetic diagnosis are discussed. Students are introduced to the use of genetic databases and bioinformatics. Approaches to treatment of genetic diseases are presented. Legal, ethical,and social aspects of diagnosis and management of genetic disease are discussed. (Medicine 511)
Medical Biochemistry
Medical Biochemistry for first-year medical and graduate students. Presents the biochemistry relevant to human health and disease that forms part of the foundation of modern medical practice. This course provides students with a fundamental understanding of the principles of biochemistry and metabolism and their relationship to medicine. It covers basic enzymology and the structure and function of proteins. The metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids, amino acids, purines, and pyrimidines is presented in the context of modern medicine. (Medicine 522)
Molecular and Cell Biology
The molecular and cellular mechanisms responsible for cell division, DNA, RNA, and protein biosynthesis are emphasized. The pathways for molecular signaling and the development of multi-cellular organisms are described including abnormal developmental states such as cancer. The future of molecular medicine, including recombinant DNA technology, will be a major focus of the course. This course will provide students with an understanding of the fundamental principles of molecular and cell biology, along with an understanding of the application of morphological and molecular relationships to problems of the human body. (Medicine 523)
Physiology/Pathophysiology
This course consists of lectures and clinical correlates covering the classical concepts of vertebrate physiology, with emphasis on the function of normal tissues in humans. Specific topics related to neurophysiology, cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, gastrointestinal, endocrine, exercise, and sexual physiology are presented. Prerequisite: Biochemistry. (Medicine 543A-B)
Immunology
Immunology covers the cellular and molecular basis of immune responsiveness and the roles of the immune system in both health and disease. The material is presented in lectures and clinical correlates, as well as in a set of printed core notes. Also included are a number of Patient-Oriented Problem Solving (POPS) sessions in which participation is required. (Medicine 544)
Epidemiology and Biostatistics
This course provides medical students with an exposure to the necessary tools for critically evaluating the medical literature in relationship to study design and analysis. It provides overall training in study design, methods, and analysis of medical and epidemiologic data and focuses on four major content areas in epidemiology: infectious disease epidemiology; cancer epidemiology; occupational and environmental epidemiology; and genetic epidemiology.(Medicine 548)
SECOND-YEAR CURRICULUM
Clinical Foundations II
Clinical Foundations II, second of the three-part Clinical Foundations series, builds second-year medical students' clinical skills. Students learn advanced skills in history-taking, physical diagnosis, and clinical reasoning. Clinical didactics sessions synthesize learning in the clinical and basic sciences. The course is comprised of small- and large-group sessions taught primarily by two types of faculty: core teachers and content theme coordinators. With these faculty, students work on focused, guided practice of clinical skills that integrates basic science course work.
Medical Microbiology
This course covers the biology of infectious agents, including viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites, to provide the foundation in microbiology for the subsequent study of infectious diseases. Lectures, small group sessions with clinicians, and laboratory sessions are used to teach the molecular bases of microbial pathogenesis, diagnostic testing, antimicrobial therapy, and prevention strategies. Prerequisite: first-year curriculum. Graduate students must have approval of the course director and enroll through the Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics. (Medicine 507A, B)
General and Systemic Pathology
This course deals with basic causes, mechanisms, and consequences of disease processes and with some applications of these considerations to clinical medicine. After an introduction to general types of disease processes, these processes are studied further as they affect specific organs and organ systems. Prerequisite: first-year curriculum. (Medicine 508A-B-C)
Clinical Pathology
This course consists of lectures and laboratories covering the areas of hematology, blood bank, clinical chemistry, and microbiology. It provides students with a foundation for understanding the pathogenesis of a variety of disease states, as well as a foundation for the proper use of the laboratory for diagnosis and optimum patient management. Prerequisite: first-year curriculum. (Medicine 509A-B)
Medical Pharmacology
This course covers the various classes of drugs that are used in medicine, particularly those used in specific or symptomatic treatment of disease states. Drugs of abuse are also covered. Emphasis is on the mechanisms of action of drugs at the organ and system level and on their use in medicine. The course includes lectures that illustrate pharmacologic principles, supplemented by small group problem-solving sessions. Prerequisites: Biochemistry and Physiology. (Medicine 517A-B-C)
THIRD- AND FOURTH-YEAR CURRICULUM
Clinical Foundations III
The final part of the Clinical Foundations series is a one-month, full-time block rotation at the beginning of the third year in which all students participate five days per week. There are 100 total course hours. Taught by the Clinical Foundations core teachers and selected full-time faculty volunteers, Clinical Foundations III provides comprehensive preparation for third-year clinical rotations. Every morning and afternoon, students participate in hands-on exercises and labs addressing (1) course overview, medical professionalism (large-group session); (2) advanced clinical skills (small groups); and (3) hands-on technical skills (small groups).
Obstetrics and Gynecology Clerkship
During this eight-week clerkship, students are taught an introduction to reproductive physiology and clinical obstetrics and gynecology. Practical experience is obtained throughout the rotations of labor and delivery, gynecology, and the outpatient clinic. In addition, students have an elective choice between gynecologic oncology, high-risk obstetrics, and gynecologic surgery. Required third-year rotation. (Medicine 524)
General Surgery Clerkship
The General Surgery clerkship provides students, as members of the surgical team, with an opportunity to study surgical patients in outpatient and hospital settings. Students acquire surgical knowledge, as well as develop skills in taking surgical histories and conducting physical examinations. Emphasis is placed on the clinical evaluation, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of surgical diseases. Students spend six weeks on general surgery (three weeks each at UC Irvine and LBVA Medical Centers) and one week on one of the subspecialties (urology, ENT, orthopaedics, or plastic surgery). (Medicine 526)
Inpatient and Ambulatory Medicine Clerkship
The clerkship occurs in a highly structured clinical environment in both in-patient and ambulatory settings. Students gradually assume responsibility for the care of patients, thereby enhancing their clinical, diagnostic, and procedural skills. Clinical vignettes and bedside teaching serve to round out the experience. Required third-year rotation. (Medicine 527A, 527B)
Pediatrics Clerkship
The pediatrics clerkship serves as an introduction to general pediatrics. Students rotate on the pediatric inpatient service, pediatric ambulatory settings, and the newborn nursery. Exposure to subspecialty clinics is also included. During the clerkship, students refine their knowledge and skills in obtaining accurate historical data, performing physical examinations with pediatric patients, and developing appropriate diagnosis and management plans. (Medicine 528)
Psychiatry Clerkship
This six-week clinical clerkship provides an opportunity for hands-on experience in the process of recognizing, diagnosing, and treating mental illness using the latest neuropharmacological advances in brain research as well as more traditional psychotherapeutic approaches. Each student participates fully in patient care, clinical teaching, and conferences. There are several choices of clinical settings for the rotation, including adult in-patient psychiatry, child/ adolescent inpatient psychiatry, consultation psychiatry/emergency psychiatry, geriatrics, and a variety of ambulatory experiences. The sites include UC Irvine and LBVA Medical Centers where different patient populations are available. A required lecture series is presented on Wednesday afternoons at UC Irvine Medical Center. (Medicine 529)
Neuroscience Clerkship
UCI students are required to take the neuroscience clerkship during either their third or fourth year. Extramural students may take the course as an elective during their final-year curriculum. The clinical neurosciences clerkship emphasizes the development of student skills in neurological examination as well as the medical and surgical management of patients with brain, nerve, and muscle disease. (Medicine 532)
Radiology Clerkship
The core clerkship consists of daily clinical film conferences, didactic lectures, and ACR file learning laboratory. Radiology teaching file and slide and book materials are available teaching instruments in radiology. Radiology conferences interrelate general medicine, surgery, and radiology. Emphasis is given to correlate clinical findings and use of imaging modalities for problem-solving and diagnosis and treatment, including an understanding of the risk/cost/benefit ratio involved in daily clinical practice. (Medicine 533)
Clinical Foundations IV
This is a two-week required course that all fourth-year students take during the month of March. The students prepare presentations for their peers and faculty that integrate basic science and clinical science. The course also prepares the students for residency and provides them with an opportunity to obtain ACLS certification. (Medicine 535)
Senior Subinternship
Students spend four weeks as subinterns during which time they carry the full ward responsibility of an intern on one-half the number of patients usually carried by an intern. The subinternship is designed to improve clinical competence and to prepare the students for the challenges and demands of the internship. Students may choose between subinternships in medicine, surgery, or pediatrics. (Medicine 536, 537, 538, or 539)
Family Medicine Clerkship
This clerkship matches students with a family physician for a four-week block. Students are assigned to a UCI clinic for four weeks where the principles of family medicine and primary care practice are taught. Emphasis is placed upon exposing students to the 25 most common health care problems seen in Family Medicine. Students are exposed to the principles of community health and epidemiology, as practically applied in an ambulatory care setting. They develop an awareness of the current health care delivery environment, including issues such as health care costs and the lifestyle of a family physician. Prerequisites: successful completion of the first- and second-year curriculum. (Medicine 597)
Intensive Care Unit
This is a four-week rotation offered at UCI, LBVA, and Long Beach Miller's Children Hospital. ICU is offered in medicine, surgery, anesthesiology, and pediatrics. Students function as subinterns, becoming integral members of the ICU team, and serve as primary caregivers under supervision. (Medicine 605B, 630K, 633M, 660S, or 685U)
Emergency Medicine
The objectives of the Emergency Medicine clerkship are to introduce students to principles of acute care medicine while caring for acutely ill and injured patients. Students have the opportunity to evaluate patients, expand their directed history and physical making skills, create a broad differential diagnosis, and formulate effective testing and treatment strategies. Active participation in patient care and procedural skills are emphasized and encouraged. The course consists of experiences in direct patient care, assigned readings from emergency medicine references, weekly conferences, and an end-of-rotation final examination. (Medicine 630D)
Substance Abuse
This two-week course provides an opportunity to directly observe and learn the principles of substance abuse treatment. Students also attend therapeutic groups, 12-step meetings, and family intervention sessions, as well as didactic sessions and small group discussions. Sites include the Betty Ford Center, Hoag Hospital, and the LBVA Medical Center. A reading list is provided to students at all sites. (Medicine 675A)
Neurological Surgery Clerkship
UCI students are required to take a neuroscience clerkship during either their third or fourth year. Extramural students may take the course as an elective during their final year of curriculum. The neurological surgery clerkship emphasizes the development of skills in neurological examination, functional neuroanatomy, practical interpretation of neuroimaging, and the identification of emergent neurological conditions, as well as the medical and surgical management of cranial, spinal, and peripheral nerve disease. (Medicine 685A)
ELECTIVES
Depending upon their particular interests, needs, and goals, students may take a variety of elective courses consisting of at least 30 contact-hours per week during the third and fourth years. Electives must be approved by the clinical faculty advisor. Students may take up to 20 weeks of their fourth-year course work (core/electives) at institutions other than UCI.
A listing of elective courses and descriptions can be found online at http://www.ha.uci.edu/som/meded/elective.
All questions regarding the curriculum, electives, or matters of records should be directed to
University of
California, Irvine
School of Medicine
Office of Educational Affairs
252
Berk Hall
Irvine, CA 92697-4089
General information/records: (949) 824-6138; scheduling: (714) 456-8462; curriculum: (949) 824-4609.
Office of Educational Affairs
Gerald A. Maguire, M.D., Senior Associate Dean (949) 824-5798
The Senior Associate Dean for Educational Affairs, in cooperation with the Academic Senate faculty, has responsibility for administrative oversight of the educational program leading to the M.D. degree, the postgraduate residency programs, and continuing medical education programs provided for practicing physicians and allied health personnel. The Senior Associate Dean also has administrative oversight responsibility for the Office of Admissions and Outreach. The Office of Curricular Affairs provides services for the M.D. program which include curriculum develop
ment, implementation, management, and evaluation. The Office of Student Affairs provides student support services which include academic advisement, learning skills counseling, psychological counseling, career counseling, and student records, and coordinates additional services offered through general University offices which include housing, student health, and disabled student services.
Student Affairs
Michael Prislin,
M.D., Associate Dean (949) 824-8358
Barbara Lutz, Registrar,
Director (949) 824-5283
Marianne Ross, Ph.D., Counseling Psychologist (949)
824-4621
Geraldine Codd, Academic Skills Coordinator (949) 824-3415
The mission of the Office of Student Affairs is to create an environment within the School of Medicine community that fosters student attainment of the School of Medicine educational objectives. This is accomplished through assuring that student participation in the educational program occurs in a manner consistent with School of Medicine policies and regulations, and through the provision of support services that facilitate optimal student participation in the educational program. To accomplish the educational assurance mission, the Office of Student Affairs disseminates information regarding academic policies and regulations, provides administrative and executive support for the faculty Committee on Promotions and Honors, and facilitates the institutional recognition of student achievement through the conduct of various School of Medicine events. To accomplish the educational support mission, the Office of Student Affairs provides academic, personal, psychological, career, and financial counseling; academic skills assessment and learning resources support, student wellness programs, student facilities support, initiatives to enhance the learning environment, and support for a variety of student organizations and informal activities.
Financial Aid
Luis Medina, Director (949) 824-6476
The UCI School of Medicine Financial Aid Office provides financial assistance and financial counseling services to entering and continuing medical students. The office secures, manages, and provides funds in the form of scholarships, grants, and loans to assist in meeting students' educational expenses.
The office coordinates financial aid application materials; tracks documents needed to complete an application; reviews and evaluates information provided by applicants; awards financial aid programs; and conducts research to determine basic educational expense budgets. It also provides students with information on policies and procedures, cost of attendance, and eligibility criteria.
In providing counseling services, the office advises students, reviews their individual circumstances, and provides financial assistance within financial aid program guidelines. It presents financial aid workshops for prospective and enrolled students to enhance their knowledge about financial aid programs and the application process, provides debt management counseling, and conducts entrance and exit interviews.
Undergraduate Medical Education
Elspeth M. McDougall,
M.D., Associate Dean, Clinical Science Education (949) 824-6689
Harry
T. Haigler, Ph.D., Associate Dean, Basic Science Education (949)
824-6304
This office provides support related to curricular issues for the School of Medicine, departments, faculty, and students; initiates curriculum review and innovation to meet the challenges of contemporary medical education; establishes and reviews the objectives of the School of Medicine and ensures individual courses are teaching to meet the objectives; serves as facilitators of new programs and curriculum and supports working committees during curriculum development; facilitates and monitors curriculum content theme integration; and maintains records on course materials and grading policies. This office is responsible for curriculum documentation for review by the Curriculum and Educational Policies committee; the collection of course evaluations by students; maintaining accurate information on core and elective curriculum; and assessing the success of the current programs.
Instructional Technology
William Gustin,
M.D., Assistant Dean (949) 824-6138
Armando Gauna, MACC Director (949)
824-1215
The Medical Academic Computing Center (MACC) was established for the instructional use of computing and to further educational objectives by providing medical instructional software that is integrated into the curriculum for numerous courses, including Histology, Pathology, Medical Genetics, Neurosciences, and Anatomy. The Center, which has extended evening and weekend hours, provides students access to Internet resources and productivity applications. Students benefit by utilizing anatomical visualization software, self-administered practice examinations, as well as by having access to e-mail and many online medical information resources. Students complete much of their course write-ups in the Center, where they have access to word processing programs and printers. MACC offers audiovisual support for course material and scantron grading services in addition to managing and supporting the computer systems in the Student Training Center.
Continuing Medical Education
Scott E. Rudkin,
M.D., Assistant Dean (949) 824-6039
Bonnie Caroll, Director (949)
824-9163
Elena Gilliam, Regularly Scheduled Conference Manager (949)
824-4220
Annette Mahnke, CME Coordinator (949) 824-6039
The Office of Continuing Medical Education provides educational activities to physicians and other health care professionals that reinforce basic medical knowledge; impart updated information on clinical practice and health care delivery; introduce new ideas, skills, and technology; and disseminate pertinent research findings in order to improve the quality of the health care that is delivered by the participants.
Graduate Medical Education
Russell Williams,
M.D., Associate Dean (714) 456-3526
Nancy Koehring, Director, (714)
456-3526
Postgraduate Medical Education and Community Programs
The UCI School of Medicine Graduate Medical Education Training Programs attract medical students from prestigious medical schools nationwide. UCI offers 42 ACGME-approved residency and fellowship training programs. There are approximately 600 residents and fellows in these training programs. UC Irvine Medical Center, the Veteran's Affairs Medical Center, Long Beach and Long Beach Memorial Medical Center are the integrated training sites for the residency programs. Other affiliations such as Kaiser Anaheim, Kaiser Riverside, Western Medical Center, City of Hope, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, and Rancho Los Amigos offer additional residents training in specialized fields.