Undergraduate Medical Education at the SOM
The UCR School of Medicine's unique Undergraduate Medical Education (UME) curriculum prepares our students for distinguished careers in clinical practice, teaching, and research.
This site contains information about and resources for the UME program for students, faculty and staff.
For more information, contact ume@medsch.ucr.edu
About our Curriculum
The curriculum in the first two years integrates the science of human biology and disease, recognizing that medicine is a multi-faceted discipline that pulls simultaneously from many aspects of science to focus on the medical concerns of individual patients. Years 1 & 2 also introduces students to fundamental clinical skills. Instruction is driven by cases explored in small groups, laboratories, conferences, clinical skills workshops and independent study.
There are five instructional blocks in the first year, focusing primarily on an integrated approach to human biological systems. Also in year 1, students will begin their three-year Longitudinal Ambulatory Care Experience where they participate in the care of patients under the supervision of a physician-mentor.
In year 2, there are four instructional blocks, focusing on disease processes, followed by a one-week integrative assessment module.
Third year students have an educational experience in the core areas of medicine, surgery, family medicine, pediatrics, obstetrics-gynecology, psychiatry, neurology and emergency medicine at medical centers and hospitals in Inland Southern California.
In the fourth year, students complete selectives, elective clinical experiences, and will complete a community project that leads to a scholarly presentation at the end of their fourth year.
Meet our Team
The Undergraduate Medical Education program is overseen by Senior Associate Dean of Medical Education Pablo Joo, M.D. and Associate Dean of Curricular Integration and Continuous Quality Improvement Elizabeth Morrison-Banks, M.D.
Our clerkship coordinators are responsible for assigning medical students to clinical faculty sites throughout Inland Southern California.
Designated Emphasis Programs
Designated Emphasis Programs (DE) are four-year programs that allow medical students to explore specialized areas. DE programs are made up of selectives as well as other non-course requirements.