Second-year courses concentrate on the clinical relevance of basic science concepts as the bridging process to clinical instruction begins. Correlations between pathology and pathophysiology are emphasized. Throughout both preclinical years elective opportunities are available for pursuit of areas of interest. The major clinical year is devoted exclusively to rotations on clerkships in the clinical disciplines. Under close supervision the students are helped to develop the skills and knowledge required for the practice of clinical medicine.
Students learn to elicit a comprehensive history and to carry out a complete physical examination.
They learn to develop professional relationships with patients, and they acquire an understanding of the mechanisms of disease and of the principles necessary for valid diagnostic appraisal and effective therapeutic plans. All courses of the first three years of the curriculum are required of all students. In the fourth year, with the guidance of faculty advisers, students design individual elective curricula, drawn from a wide range of basic scientific electives, clinical electives, and research programs offered by the faculty. The elective courses of all departments are described in a catalog which is printed annually and distributed to students and faculty. Students are permitted to spend three months of the curriculum in elective programs offered by other medical schools.