Courses in medical school
Every medical school's curriculum is divided into pre-clinicals (before rotations/clerkships) and clinicals.
Pre-clinicals occur before clinicals, and they are usually the first year to second year of medical school. At my school, pre-clinicals last for about a year and a half, then we have a dedicated period (2-3 months) to study for STEP 1, and then we go into clerkships for about 2 years.
During pre-clinicals, you take organ-based classes, about 1-3 at a time, alongside non-science classes that help you grow as medical student.
At my school, the first semester focused on science review (biochemistry, basic biology, basic neuroscience, pharmacology), anatomy, biostats, and non-science classes.
The second semester is when we started organ-based classes (pulmonary, renal, cardio, etc) alongside the non-science classes that we started during the first semester.
The third semester we kept on taking organ-based classes (neuro, infectious diseases, reproduction, etc) and non-science classes.
The main purpose of the organ-based classes are to help prepare you for STEP 1, the first medical licensing exam that you take as a medical student. At my school, you take STEP 1 before starting clerkships and after finishing the organ-based classes. You get about 2-3 months off from classes to purely study for the exam.
After you take step and pass, then you are able to move into clerkships. The clerkships available also depend on the school you are attending. At my school, we have general surgery, pediatrics, obgyn, psychiatry, neurology, and internal medicine.
After clerkships, you then have another dedicated period to study for STEP 2, another medical licensing exam and the last licensing exam you take in medical school.
Every medical school is different. Some have a year pre-clinical curriculum, meaning you have no summer break, or others take the full two years for a pre-clinical curriculum. This is something you should definitely look into the schools you are applying to/committing to.
**I am currently a third-year, and I have no idea what courses are exactly offered in fourth year, so I can't talk about that yet. **
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In medical school, understanding the structure and flow of the curriculum is crucial for success. The pre-clinical phase, which typically spans the first two years, is comprised of organ-based classes that cover essential subjects such as pharmacology, anatomy, and biochemistry. These foundational courses prepare students for their first major licensing exam, STEP 1, which focuses on the core sciences necessary for clinical practice. Students spend significant time studying these subjects, often needing dedicated months to prepare adequately. Transitioning into clinical rotations, or clerkships, marks a significant phase in medical education. These are hands-on training experiences in various specializations such as surgery, pediatrics, and internal medicine. The specific clerkships available may vary from one medical school to another, making it important for prospective students to research programs thoroughly. Clerkships allow students to apply their academic knowledge in real-world settings, gaining invaluable skills and insights. After completing clerkships, students prepare for STEP 2, the final licensing exam before graduation. Overall, the medical school journey is both challenging and rewarding, crafted to equip future doctors with a comprehensive understanding of medical science and practical patient care.
is this for nursing, or for everyone?