Core Curriculum
Every component of our core curriculum prepares and educates future physicians to excel in the core eight competencies necessary for physicians to have a successful and fulfilling career in the field of medicine.
Four Year Curricular Schematic
Pre-Clerkship Years
The first two years of medical school are known as the pre-clerkship years. During this phase of training, students focus on building the scientific foundation that will inform the clinical decisions as a physician. Courses combine leading-edge basic science courses, organized by organ system, with dynamic, longitudinal experience that span one to two years.
By the end of the pre-clerkship years, students will have a robust, integrated knowledge base and the practical tools move thrive in clinical training.
Pre-Clerkship Course Overview
Foundational Sciences
Ranging from 2-5 weeks in duration, the Foundational Science block courses offer sequential study of topics. During Year 1, most blocks offer a thorough exploration of the normal physiology and pharmacology of an organ system. During Year 2, the blocks take on an increasingly clinical focus, transitioning to pathophysiology of disease and early therapeutics.
Humanistic Anatomy (Longitudinal Course)
Meeting weekly throughout Year 1, Humanistic Anatomy introduces students to their first patient, a human anatomical donor. Grounded in the practice of self- and interpersonal compassion, students explore anatomy through surgical exposures, with a consistent emphasis on maintaining the integrity of the donor’s body.
Diagnostics (Longitudinal Course)
Meeting weekly throughout Years 1 and 2, in a mix of large group discussions and small group laboratory sessions, students learn about tissues and organ systems through the combined lenses of traditional microscopic histology and modern radiologic techniques. After focusing on normal structure in Year 1, the course parallels the Foundational Sciences block courses, and shifts focus to pathologic changes in Year 2.
Practice of Medicine (Longitudinal Course)
Meeting every other week throughout Years 1 and 2, students work in small, closely facilitated groups to acquire and practice essential history and physical examination skills, preparing them for transition to clinical practice environments.
Equity in Systems Science (Longitudinal Course)
Meeting twice weekly throughout Years 1 and 2, students engage in small group Self-Directed Learning, exploring a wide range of systems science topics, including healthcare delivery, interprofessional collaboration, and quality improvement, always with an eye towards developing systems that enhance health equity. The course’s sessions are facilitated by faculty and enlivened by community member and content expert panels.
Compassionate Action and Real Engagement (CARE) (Longitudinal Course)
Meeting 5-6 times per quarter throughout Years 1 and 2, students engage in facilitated large and small group sessions exploring evidence-based empathy and compassion skills, integrated with real-world medical observations and service-learning opportunities, with a focus on professional identity formation, and “finding your why.”
Clinical Decision-Making (Longitudinal Course)
Meeting once per week during Year 2, students engage in large and small group facilitated exploration of clinical cases, with a focus on application of foundational science to differential diagnosis, diagnostic strategy, early therapeutics, and clinical decisions, providing an extended, low-stakes opportunity to practice skills that are essential for success in the clerkship phase.
Year 1 & 2 Curricular Schematics
Clerkship Years
The third and fourth years of medical training focus on transforming your scientific knowledge into compassionate clinical care. Students rotate through a mix of core and elective specialties, giving them the opportunity to explore passions, sharpen skills and define the career path that best fits their aspirations.
Year 3: Core Clinical Clerkships |
Year 4: Clinical Electives |
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Core Clerkships Ranging from three to nine weeks in duration, students will be immersed in clinical clerkships including:
Joining clinical care teams in inpatient and outpatient settings at UC San Diego Health sites, as well as through affiliate partners, Rady Children’s Hospital, Scripps Health and the Veteran’s Administration, students work with elite faculty and residents while caring for a diverse and complex set of patient populations. Learn more about our clinical training sites. Selectives (9 weeks) Each selective course is a three-week block that lets students explore topics of personal interest. During each block, students can choose from more than 60 selectives that deepen their knowledge in a core subject or explore into a discipline that lies outside the core curriculum.
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Clinical Electives Four weeks in length, the six elective blocks during the fourth year allow students to pursue rigorous immersions at the sub-intern level in all core disciplines, as well as exploration of advanced tertiary care, or work with unique patient populations. Over 90 different courses are available. Capstone Each student enrolls in two, four-week long capstone blocks. These flexible experiences give them the opportunity to engage in highly personal work, linked to their own academic interests, building on earlier coursework. Principles to Practice Four weeks in length, this course brings Year 4 students back to campus to review basic science principles and apply them to advance clinical vignettes and care scenarios in both large group and small team settings. Residency Transitions Course Four weeks in length, this course brings Year 4 students back to campus to focus on highly interactive and task-oriented skills sessions aimed at ensuring comfort and readiness during the transition to internship. Multiple specialty-based tracks ensure that content is well aligned with students’ future career plans.
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