Current curriculum Current Curriculum T he Class of 2004 is the last class that will go through the current curriculum of the School of Medicine. This curriculum provides some flexibility in course sequence in the last two years and the possibility of variations in completion time. The total number of units in courses required for graduation is 235, with the unit value of courses defined in terms of hours of student effort rather than hours of contact time.
All courses have well-defined prerequisites.
Students are encouraged to seek assistance from faculty to help design an educational experience that will continue to expand their general professional education, while serving as a bridge between the core curriculum and subsequent educational programs following medical school. In the third year, students also consult career advisers for assistance in applying for postgraduate medical education programs. During the first and second years, students may take electives in a wide spectrum of basic science, social and behavioral science, and clinical disciplines. Six additional months spent in electives are required to complete the Doctor of Medicine curriculum. Students also receive instruction in the economic, ethical, and legal issues, social and cultural factors, and governmental policies that affect medical practice.