The Medical Education Program Curriculum

The UCR School of Medicine's unique curriculum prepares our graduates for distinguished careers in clinical practice, teaching, and research.

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 basic, clinical, health systems and behavioral sciences to focus on the medical concerns of individual patients. Years 1 and 2 also introduce 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, using the same organizational model as in year 1 with five modules and curricular threads in each block course. 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 two core selectives in critical care medicine and a sub-internship, five one-month elective experiences, a radiology course, and transition to residency course.