Curriculum

The overall goal of our curriculum at the Chicago Medical School is to provide an educational program that integrates clinical and basic science, engages students in active learning, provides early opportunities for clinical experience in the community, ensures that students will have skills needed for life-long, independent learning, and builds upon our experience and strength as an interprofessional university.

What follows are the highlights of our curriculum. Our four-year curriculum is divided into three sequential phases.

PHASE I
Phase I starts with Scientific and Clinical Foundations of Medicine, followed by
eight system blocks. Within the blocks, each week will be organized around a
diagnostic structure of a patient presentation that illustrates key decision points
in the diagnostic process. Phase I includes four interprofessional courses, time for
self-reflection and professional development, and a patient safety course. Phase I
concludes with a one-week course to help students prepare for clerkships.

PHASE II
Phase II builds on the knowledge and skills of Phase I by providing seven core clerkships and one elective experience for career exploration.

PHASE III
Phase III is residency preparation, including one four-week sub-internship and 31
weeks of intramural and extramural electives. This phase concludes with a one-week
course, Transition to Internship, to teach and assess the skills needed for
students to transition from M4 student to first-year resident.

PHASE I
M1 Year

• Scientific Foundations of Medicine
• Clinical Foundations of Medicine
• Clinical Anatomy
• Essentials of Clinical Reasoning
• Foundations of Interprofessional Practice
• Infection-Immunology-Hematology
• Clinical Epidemiology
• Skin
• Gastroenterology
• Cardiovascular-Pulmonary-Renal
• Bioethics
• Principles of Professionalism, Health Care, and Health Equity I

PHASE I
M2 Year

• Neurobehavioral Health (NBH)
• Essentials of Clinical Reasoning
• Patient Safety
• Musculoskeletal (MSK)
• Endocrine-Reproductive
• Multisystem
• Clinical Skills
• M2 Elective
• Principles of Professionalism, Health Care, and Health Equity II

PHASE II
M3 Year

• Clerkships
  • Internal Medicine
  • Surgery
  • Psychiatry
  • Pediatrics
  • Obstetrics & Gynecology
  • Family Medicine/Primary Care
  • Neurology
• M3 Elective
• Principles of Professionalism, Health Care, and Health Equity III

PHASE III
M4 Year

• Sub-Internship
  • Internal Medicine
  • Surgery
  • Psychiatry
  • Neurology
  • Emergency Medicine
  • Pediatrics
  • Family Medicine
• Transition to Internship
• M4 Electives
• Principles of Professionalism, Health Care, and Health Equity IV

PHASE I
M1 Year

Phase I starts with Scientific and Clinical Foundations of Medicine, followed by eight system blocks, four of which are completed in the first year. Within the blocks, each week will be organized around a diagnostic structure of a patient presentation that illustrates key decision pivot points in the diagnostic process. The first year also includes four interprofessional courses and dedicated time for self-reflection and professional development.

The M1 year ends in May. Students may choose to participate in research or global health experiences during the summer before returning in August to begin the M2 year.

• Scientific Foundations of Medicine
• Clinical Foundations of Medicine
• Clinical Anatomy
• Essentials of Clinical Reasoning
• Foundations of Interprofessional Practice
• Infection-Immunology-Hematology
• Clinical Epidemiology
• Skin
• Gastroenterology
• Cardiovascular-Pulmonary-Renal
• Bioethics
• Principles of Professionalism, Health Care, and Health Equity I

PHASE I
M2 Year

Phase I continues with the remaining four system blocks and courses in patient safety, clinical reasoning, professional development, and clinical skills

M2 year ends in late March and students have several weeks to independently prepare for the USMLE Step 1 examination.

• Neurobehavioral Health (NBH)
• Essentials of Clinical Reasoning
• Patient Safety
• Musculoskeletal (MSK)
• Endocrine-Reproductive
• Multisystem
• Clinical Skills (CS)
• Principles of Professionalism, Health Care, and Health Equity II

PHASE II
M3 Year

Phase II builds on the knowledge, skills, and approach of Phase I by providing seven core clerkships and one four-week elective experience. Clerkship start dates vary per student.

• Clerkships
  • Internal Medicine
  • Surgery
  • Psychiatry
  • Pediatrics
  • Obstetrics & Gynecology
  • Family Medicine/Primary Care
  • Neurology
• M3 Elective
• Principles of Professionalism, Health Care, and Health Equity III

PHASE III
M4 Year

Phase III is residency preparation, including one four-week sub-internship and 31 weeks of electives. This phase concludes with a one-week course, Transition to Internship, to teach and assess the skills needed for students to transition from M4 student to first-year resident.

• Sub-Internship (Internal Medicine, Surgery, Psychiatry, Neurology, Pediatrics, Family Medicine, and Emergency Medicine)
• Transition to Internship (T to I)
• M4 Electives
• Principles of Professionalism, Health Care, and Health Equity IV