Mechanisms of disease and their regulation are covered in Microbiology, Immunology, and Pharmacology in coordination with Pathology. Courses such as Patient-based Population Prevention, Behavioral Science, Medicine and Society II, and Introduction to Clinical Medicine expand students' awareness of the interrelationship of health and disease on individuals, families, and society from a psychosocial perspective. The third and four th years are considered a single unit at either the Syracuse or Binghamton Clinical campus. During these years, students learn to apply their basic understanding of human biology in health and disease to patients. In the third year, students become part of the health care team in hospital, ambulatory clinic, and office settings.
Students learn as they work along side residents and attending physicians to provide patient care.
As their experience accumulates, students acquire increased responsibility and build close working relationships with experienced clinicians. In addition to their required clerkships, students can select a variety of electives from a catalog of over 200 courses. Some students choose electives directly related to their career goals culminating in acting internships. Others use their elective experiences to explore career options. Still others opt for a broad range of electives to enrich their undergraduate preparation, recognizing that they may not again have an opportunity to experience other disciplines outside of their chosen specialty.