Modular Medical Integrated Curriculum
General Information
In 1977 the faculties of the College of Arts & Sciences and the School of Medicine developed a combined program designed to integrate the liberal arts and the basic medical sciences. The Modular Medical Integrated Curriculum (MMEDIC) program currently admits to the School of Medicine, subject to review as described below under Program Requirements, a limited number of qualified students who have completed two years of undergraduate study in the College of Arts & Sciences or other undergraduate colleges at Boston University. It offers an integrated curriculum composed of undergraduate and medical school courses, enabling those preselected students to fulfill portions of the requirements of the curriculum at the School of Medicine during the latter two years of undergraduate study. The MMEDIC program thus introduces certain of the preclinical subjects into the undergraduate program.
Portions of the junior and senior years are spent taking modular courses that not only enable the student to fulfill undergraduate requirements, but also allow for the completion of certain requirements ordinarily undertaken in the first year of the School of Medicine. In addition to the modular courses, students are expected to complete requirements for their field of concentration and pursue electives in the humanities and social sciences.
Eligibility and Admission
The program is designed to admit a limited number of students who expect to enter their third year of undergraduate study in September. Acceptances are determined during the preceding spring and summer. Admission into the program, and thereby to the School of Medicine, is based on academic record, letters of recommendation, and involvement in college and community activities, as well as on less tangible qualities of personality, character, and maturity.
Students who are interested in applying to the MMEDIC program should pursue a rigorous premedical course of study and demonstrate superior performance in and out of the classroom. Coursework must include one year of general chemistry, one year of organic chemistry, and one year of general biology by the completion of sophomore year. After an initial review of applications, well-qualified applicants are invited for a personal interview with members of the Admissions Committee.
Program Requirements
MMEDIC students must demonstrate their ability to master the modules of instruction and must exhibit a high degree of maturity, integrity, and emotional stability to be promoted to the medical phase of the program. Four modules of instruction must be completed prior to entry into the School of Medicine, at least two of which must be in biochemistry, physiology, or medical histology. At the conclusion of each semester, or as necessary, the faculty Committee on Promotions reviews the student’s progress.
Students are expected to maintain a 3.2 GPA cumulatively and a 3.0 GPA in the sciences for all courses taken after entry into the program to be eligible for promotion to the next semester and ultimately to the School of Medicine. Failure to meet the above criteria will result in appropriate action by the Committee, including academic probation, remedial coursework, suspension, or dismissal from the program. Students who have not achieved at least a 3.2 GPA cumulatively and at least a 3.0 GPA in the sciences for all courses taken after entry into the program are ineligible for promotion to the School of Medicine.
Students must take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) in the spring of the third year of undergraduate study. It is expected that students will achieve a combined score of at least 30 on the three numerically scored sections of the MCAT. The Writing Sample component of this exam must also be completed. The results of the MCAT are considered by the Committee on Promotions when it makes the final decision as to whether to promote students to the medical curriculum. Before entering their first year in the School of Medicine, students in the program must also complete the usual required premedical courses (one year each of general chemistry, organic chemistry, biology, physics, English composition or literature, and humanities).
Students may not apply to other medical schools and remain in the program.
Students who for any reason (academic, motivational, ethical, or emotional) are found to be ill-suited for the program may be transferred without loss of credit into their undergraduate college. Such students may apply for entry to the School of Medicine or any other medical school by the conventional premedical route. Students may transfer voluntarily out of the program at any point and continue their undergraduate education at Boston University.
Upon entering the School of Medicine, the student will continue the program approved in the Outline of Study that will best fulfill the student’s educational needs.
Application
Additional information may be obtained from the Boston University College of Arts & Sciences, Preprofessional Advising Office, 725 Commonwealth Avenue, Room B-2, Boston, MA 02215. Further information is available by phone at 617-353-4866.
