The first year of medical school is a challenging and exciting time for any student who has dreamed of attending a school. It is a time of intense learning and personal growth as students are introduced to the vast and complex world of medicine.
Starting at a medical school can be intimidating, primarily because of the demanding course load and the adjusting of the schedules set by the designated medical school. But the first year of medical school is not just a time of intense learning, but also personal growth, as students are introduced to the vast and complex world of medicine.
The first year of the Doctor of Medicine (MD) program is concentrated on the basic medicine program. This school of basic medicine comprises of a series of courses designed to provide students with a foundation in scientific principles that will underline the practice of medicine. These courses can be challenging, as they cover a wide range of topics including anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, biochemistry, pathology and many more. Students in the basic medicine program are also required to attend anatomy labs, where they spend time dissecting cadavers and mastering the anatomy of the human body.
The medicine program involves the study of structures and functions, such as the type and nature of a disease, which could affect the human body. A basic medicine program typically precedes clinical medicine and provides strong theoretical support for developing the skills required to become a doctor.
The Basic Science curriculum lasts five semesters, covering all medical sciences such as systems and disease, human metabolism, nutrition and comprehensive human body structure. Each basic science semester comprises:
Semester 1
- Principles of Research and Evidence-Based Medicine
- Histology and Cell Biology
- Patient-Doctor Relations
- Developmental and Gross Anatomy
Semester 2
During the second semester of the basic medicine program, the students learn about the body’s molecular building blocks and the complex interplay of different systems of the body, along with other necessary courses including:
- Genetics
- Epidemiology and Biostatistics
- Physiology
- Biochemistry and molecular biology
Semester 3
The third semester of the basic medicine program familiarizes medical students with the healthy and unhealthy components affecting the human body through the following courses:
- Microbiology and Immunology
- Neuroscience
- Behavioural Science and Ethics
- Patient Doctors Relations
Semester 4
The fourth semester coursework intends to deepen the knowledge of medical students around the basic mechanism of the human body, refining their ability to assess and recognize the manifestation of common diseases and understand the mechanisms involved in the treatment of various pathological states through the following coursework:
- Pathology
- Pharmacology
Semester 5
During the final semester, students learn about the diseases in pathology and are given extensive preparation for Step 1 of the United States Medical Licencing Examination (USMLE). The curriculum aims to refine the skills to become a clinician by developing the cognitive and analytical excellence needed to become a qualified doctor. This semester includes the following courses:
- Pathology
- Clinical Therapeutics
- Introduction to Clinical Medicine
- Foundation of Clinical Medicine
Final Thoughts
The basic science program is an extensive course that aims to build a strong foundation, enabling further development around the highly technical knowledge of the clinical medicine program. It also builds essential clinical skills that can be further developed during the rotations while preparing students to sit for the standardized USMLE examination. Throughout the basic medicine program, the students will be a part of a truly unique learning experience.