BUSM Curriculum

The BUSM curriculum offers students the opportunity to study medicine in a flexible, supportive environment that stimulates critical inquiry and provides a sound base of knowledge in the biological, social, and behavioral sciences. Curriculum review, integration, and modification is an ongoing process. Over the last several years we have restructured the academic program to expand early clinical experiences; we have reduced lecture hours and expanded small group exercises, laboratory sessions, and problem-based seminars; we have integrated the sciences basic to the study of medicine; and we have expanded flexibility and elective time throughout the program.

Highlights

The Human Behavior in Medicine (HBM) in the first year is designed to provide knowledge of human behavior important to the treatment of patients and their families, and will cover the full range of human behavior, including psychiatric conditions. While scientific knowledge of disease and its treatment are necessary for medical care, understanding the broader context of the patient as a person who suffers is integral to being an effective physician. Physicians who have an understanding of the aging and dying process can then help patients and their families deal with medical realities. Medical staff who have an awareness of the dynamics of substance use disorders and intimate partner violence can hone their intuition as to what might assist the individual and the individual’s partner, children, and elderly dependents. In addition, understanding the patient’s sexuality gives a more complete medical understanding of the individual. Physicians and medical students should be aware of their own values, views, and biases in the delivery of medical care. Practicing medicine in a professional and ethical manner, and collaborating effectively with patients and colleagues, is a lifelong endeavor and an ongoing challenge. These skills are enshrined in professional codes of conduct, and now routinely assessed by licensing boards and educational institutions.

The Consolidation and Preparation for Clerkships (CPC) course begins with a focus on self-directed learning and creation of learning goals while preparing for entry into the third year. Students also learn health systems science related to financial models used across healthcare and the operations of health systems to ensure optimal care. Students will be immersed in the clinical environment to become familiar with team-based care and the key skills of clinical practice, including documentation and hospital flow.

The curriculum described below applies to the four-year program.

First Year

The emphasis is on normal structure and function (anatomy and physiology). The majority of the first-year curriculum is delivered as an integrated Principles Integrating Sciences and Medicine (PrISM) curriculum, including the following modules:

  • Molecular Foundations of Medicine
  • Cellular Foundations of Medicine
  • Body Structures
  • Neuroscience
  • Genomic Medicine & Immunology
  • Cardiovascular System
  • Respiratory System
  • Renal System
  • Gastrointestinal System & Nutrition
  • Endocrine & Reproductive Systems

In addition to the PrISM curriculum, students are also required to take:

  • Essentials of Public Health
  • Human Behavior in Medicine (range of behaviors including psychiatric)
  • Doctoring 1

Second Year

The focus shifts to abnormalities in structure and function (pathology and pathophysiology). The majority of the second-year material is delivered as an integrated Disease & Therapy (DRx) curriculum, including the following modules:

  • Foundations
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Cardiovascular
  • Pulmonary
  • Rheumatology
  • Renal
  • Gastrointestinal
  • Neurology
  • Endocrinology/Nutrition
  • Reproduction
  • Hematology
  • Oncology
  • Dermatology

In addition to the DRx curriculum, students are also required to take:

  • Doctoring 2
  • Consolidation and Preparation for Clerkships (CPC) course

Third Year

This is the core clerkship year. Students complete their initial clinical rotations, participating in active ambulatory and inpatient practices on major teaching services:

  • Medicine—8 Weeks
  • Surgery—8 Weeks
  • Family Medicine—6 Weeks
  • Obstetrics/Gynecology—6 Weeks
  • Pediatrics—6 Weeks
  • Psychiatry—6 Weeks
  • Neurology—4 Weeks
  • Third-Year Elective (Radiology, Emergency Medicine)—4 Weeks
    • The Enrichment office also offers a limited number of research electives that are available to students during the third-year elective block.

Students work with house officers and attending physicians in the care of a broad range of patients and clinical conditions through a series of required and elective clinical blocks.

Fourth Year

In the fourth year, students complete advanced clinical rotations in geriatrics and home care, a subinternship in the specialty of their choice, and one selective (ambulatory medicine or a surgical subspecialty). The third and fourth years combined include a minimum of 24 weeks of elective time with opportunities to pursue clinical and basic science research, as well as independent study programs.

Study Abroad and Research

Many students choose to spend some of this time at other institutions, either in the US or abroad in BUSM’s very active International Health program.

BUSM is a major research institution, and students may return to research interests they have pursued in the past or try research for the first time. Stipends are available for those rising second-year students who wish to undertake a summer research fellowship.