UNDERGRADUATE MEDICAL EDUCATION- UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA SUMMARY OF CURRICULUM

INTRODUCTION  4 year program leading to the degree of Doctor of Medicine (MD).  Undergraduate Objectives  to develop knowledgeable, compassionate, collaborative, reflective and professional physicians committed to quality health care and lifelong learning.

UNDERGRADUATE EDUCATION  Curriculum integrates education, research & patient care  Balances traditional teaching with opportunities for students to be active learners.  Teaching methods include:  Lectures and laboratory instruction  Small-group case studies and problem-based learning  Internet-based tutorials  Preceptor-guided clinical skill sessions

YEAR 1 AND 2  Primary goal: prepare medical students for supervised learning in the clinical environment.  Material presented in series of system-based courses  2 separate, but co-ordinated courses - dealing with the social, sociological, ethical, legal, and public-health aspects of medicine  By the end of the pre-clinical program, students in the MD program are competent in medical expert knowledge content, and ready for the transition to clinical learning

 Introductory Block  Infection, Immunity and Inflammation  Endocrine System  Cardiovascular, Pulmonary and Renal Systems  Oncology  Gastroenterology and Nutrition  Reproductive Medicine and Urology  Musculoskeletal System  Neurosciences YEARS 1 AND 2 ARE DIVIDED INTO ORGAN-SYSTEM BLOCKS: Each block presents the material in a progression from basic science to clinical application.

YEAR 1 ~34 WEEKS

YEAR 2 ~36 WEEKS

“SPECIAL DESIGNATION”  During their undergraduate degree, students interested in research have the opportunity to put in more time in the lab and acquire a special designation that formally recognizes their additional research training. special designation  The MD with Special Training in Research Designation program encourages awareness of the importance of basic and clinical biomedical research to the practice of medicine.  A minimum of 24 weeks research in a laboratory, or other appropriate setting, engaged in a basic science or clinical research project, under appropriate faculty supervision. This research experience will be gained during two consecutive summers.

YEAR 3 AND 4  Although students work with patients from the outset of their training, the core "hands-on" teaching on medical wards is completed in Years 3 and 4.  The primary role of student to understand and apply basic knowledge of medical science in a clinical setting.  Clinical teaching is interwoven with information sessions taught by experienced residents, allied health professionals and preceptors.

YEAR 3  Students are placed in the standard six main specialty rotations as well as elective experiences. Alternatively, students can undertake the Integrated Community Clerkship program followed by their electives.

YEAR 3 ~ 50 WEEKS

YEAR 4  Students take part in rotations that provide opportunities to develop a deeper understanding of several sub-specialties, as well as Emergency Medicine and Geriatrics

YEAR 4 ~35 WEEKS