Every medical school is a bit different. They all offer their own specific advantages and own areas of expertise. However, at their base, the curriculum for most medical schools is more or less the same, at least in description – not necessarily in quality or peripheral aspects. For potential medical school students, understanding the core of these programs can help determine if medical school is the correct route for them and what courses they may need to take prior to medical school to help prepare them for their future.

Obviously, these curriculums are going to lean heavily on the sciences. Anatomy and chemistry (or biochemistry) are staples to most every first year program. This makes complete sense as these are the two sciences that will most be used throughout a doctor’s career. Anatomy is obviously the science of the human body and its workings and chemistry dealing with chemicals and their interactions – down the line dealing directly with the treatments for various diseases. Other first year sciences often include embryology (study of embryos and the early stages of human fertilization, pregnancy, and development), physiology (the study of human systems), and neuroanatomy (study of the nervous system).

While the first year of medical school focuses more on general study and accumulating the wealth of knowledge that will be necessary to get through the further years of study, year two of most schools tend to focus more on various diseases and how to treat them. Pathology and pharmacology are the basis for this year. Pathology is specifically the study of disease (from the Greek word ‘pathos,’ which means suffering) and pharmacology (which actually derives from the Greek word for ‘poison’) dealing with the natural and chemical methods to treat these diseases. Microbiology and immunology are two other common courses for this year, as students continue to hone their knowledge on various ailments and the best methods for dealing with these issues.

The final two years of a medical school program tend introduce clerkships. Also known as clinicals, this is the portion of the medical program where students get to learn on the job, working underneath experienced doctors who essentially hold their hands (some with more tact than others) as they attempt to diagnose and treat actual living patients. This would be the stage of medicine that is best described as “practice” – patients need not fret, there is oversight. Not every hospital participates in medical clerkships; they are most commonly done at teaching hospitals – often named as the University of X Medical Center. However, these are often some of the best medical centers in the world, not only encouraging a free flow of ideas, but also luring some of the most talented doctors, teachers, and minds for diagnosis and treatment. This is the stage where students really find out what they are made of. It is a high pressure situation that often features a high level of competition and sees the cream really rise to the crop. But for those who are cut out to make it through, it is also an extremely rewarding situation that will help them for years to come. There is really is no substitute for learning on the job.

Author Bio: By Felix Chesterfield; The Medical School Curriculum is one of the most difficult academic tests available. The link contained provides more information if you are interested in learning more.

Category: Education
Keywords: Medical school, college, curriculum