Required Core Curriculum Descriptions
A three year small group-based sequence the teaches students interviewing, physical diagnosis, and differential diagnostic skills; bioethics, medical humanities, health systems and economics; community, preventive, and public health. Introduces care of special populations including the disabled.
Evidence-based Clinical Reasoning 1-2
A two year sequence first introducing students to principles of statistics and evidence-based medicine, then applying that knowledge in small group based problem based learning (PBL) cases in which students research topics relevant to the presented cases and teach their small group peers what they learned. The course emphasizes evidence-based and lifelong learning principles.
Year 1-2 Medical Science Courses
Years 1 and 2 of the curriculum are a continuum that introduce students to an organ system-based overview of normal and disease processes, increasing the emphasis on diseases and therapy as the courses progress. Courses integrate anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, cell biology, biochemistry, microbiology and pharmacology relevant to the organ systems under study.
- Course 1: Musculoskeletal System - dissection based anatomy of the back and extremities; physiology and biochemistry of muscle contraction
- Course 1: Cancer biology - a review of important tenets of molecular/cellular biology, genetics and immunology from the perspective of cancer pathogenesis and treatment.
- Course 2: Neurologic System - structure and function of the central and peripheral neurologic system
- Course 3: Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Systems - normal function, common abnormalities, and structural anatomy of the heart, lungs and vessels; components and physiology of blood.
- Course 4: Renal, Endocrine, Gastrointestinal, and Reproductive Systems - integrated histology, physiology and gross anatomy of these systems; biochemistry and physiology of metabolism.
- Course 5: Immunology, Microbiology, Hematology, Rheumatology, Dermatology - principles of immune host defense, microbial pathogenesis; autoimmunity/rheumatologic diseases; diseases of blood and skin.
- Course 6: Nephrology, Pulmonary Disease, Cardiology, Gastroenterology - pathophysiology, pathology, and pharmacology for diseases of kidneys, lungs, heart/vessels, liver, and GI tract.
- Course 7: Neurology, Psychiatry, Endocrinology, Men’s and Women’s Health - diseases and therapy of the brain and peripheral nervous system, endocrine system, male and female reproductive tracts; psychiatry, including psychiatric interviewing.
Selective seminars in 10-11 areas of the students’ choice (e.g. advances in radiology, sun and skin, neurosurgery principles, etc.) designed to give the students elective choice in developing career plans. Taken twice, once per year.
Year 3 Clinical Clerkships
MCOM clinical clerkships in Tampa emphasize integrative process of patient care from a patient perspective, vs. the traditional departmental-based approach. Multiple departements interact to deliver the curriculum at core clinical sites including Tampa General Hospital, Haley VA Medical Center, All Children’s Hospital, and Morsani Center for Advanced Patient care. The year includes 4 weeks of elective time of the student’s choice to explore non-clerkship career options or do research.
- Primary Care - outpatient care in Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, and Women’s Health/Gynecology, emphasizing management of common chronic diseases and prevention strategies.
- Adult Medicine - inpatient care of acute adult illness
- Surgical Care - principles of pre-, intra-, and post-operative care, with rotations in general, trauma, vascular, and gynecologic surgery. Includes selective rotations in surgical subspecialties and simulation training at the Center for Advanced Medical Learning and Simulation (CAMLS) in downtown Tampa.
- Psychiatry and Neurology - diagnosis and therapy of neurologic and psychiatric illness in the inpatient and outpatient settings. Shared approaches to patients with altered mental state.
- Maternal, Newborn, and Pediatric Care - Obstetrics, prenatal care, labor and delivery, newborn nursery, inpatient pediatric care
Year 4 Electives/Selectives
Year 4 is focused on preparation for residency, building advanced clinical skills, and exploration of areas of medicine of interest to the student. Nine months of coursework are required, including:
- Four months of work in a track that prepares students for a specific residency discipline, including:
- An Acting Internship with direct patient management responsibility (1 month)
- A return to basic science in the discipline of the track, involving both clinical and basic science approaches to the discipline (2-4 weeks)
- 1-2 months of specialty, consultative, or other selectives
- Five months of additional coursework, which may include independent study electives, externships at other approved medical centers, and additional electives of the student’s choice.