Curriculum
Curriculum (156 Hours)
The USC SOMC curriculum is designed to take students through the basic medical sciences to hands-on clinical training. During the first year of the program, students study histology, gross anatomy, and neuro anatomy in a combined course. The first year continues with an in-depth study of biochemistry and physiology. The second year integrates the study of microbiology, pathology, pharmacology, and clinical foundations through a series of system blocks. Throughout all four semesters of the first two years, students develop their skills with history-taking and physical exams and their skills analyzing research to determine best practice for patient care.
During the third year, students get hands-on training in clinical clerkships in family medicine, internal medicine/neurology, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, psychiatry and surgery. While most medical students complete their core clinical training at Columbia-area affiliated hospitals, there is also an optional clinical training at the Florence Regional Campus.
The fourth year is an opportunity for students to pursue individual interests through electives, participate in acting internship(s) and a critical care rotation, and complete the Capstone course designed to prepare students for the transition to residency.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit Hours | |
| MCBA D603 | Foundational Medical Anatomy | 12 |
| DMED D601 | Introduction to Clinical Medicine I | 3 |
| DMED D680 | Application of Clinical Evidence I (ACE) | 1 |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| PHPH D621 | Medical Physiology | 7 |
| BMSC D604 | Molecular Foundations of Medicine | 8 |
| DMED D602 | Introduction to Clinical Medicine I | 4 |
| DMED D680 | Application of Clinical Evidence I (ACE) | 1 |
| Credit Hours | 20 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| DMED D603 | Introduction to Clinical Medicine II | 2 |
| DMED D683 | General Principles | 5 |
| DMED D685 | Cardiovascular | 4 |
| DMED D686 | Renal | 2 |
| DMED D687 | Pulmonary | 2 |
| DMED D688 | Hematology | 3 |
| DMED D689 | Musculoskeletal (MSK) System | 2 |
| DMED D681 | Application of Clinical Evidence II (ACE) | 1 |
| Credit Hours | 21 | |
| Spring | ||
| DMED D604 | Introduction to Clinical Medicine II | 2 |
| DMED D681 | Application of Clinical Evidence II (ACE) | 1 |
| DMED D694 | Gastrointestinal (GI) | 3 |
| DMED D695 | Endocrine/Reproduction | 4 |
| DMED D696 | Neuroscience | 6 |
| DMED D697 | Integrated Disease | 2 |
| Credit Hours | 18 | |
| Third Year | ||
| FPMD D605 | Family Medicine Clerkship | 6 |
| MEDI D611 | Medicine/Neurology | 12 |
| OBGY D605 | Obstetrics/Gynecology Clerkship | 6 |
| PEDI D605 | Pediatrics Clerkship | 8 |
| NPSY D605 | Psychiatry Clerkship | 6 |
| SURG D605 | Surgery Clerkship | 8 |
| Electives (2) | 2 | |
| DMED D643 | Intersession Week | 1 |
| Credit Hours | 49 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| DMED D647 | USMLE Step 2 Preparation | 4 |
| DMED D607 | Capstone | 4 |
| Acting Internship | 4 | |
| Critical Care | 4 | |
| Electives | 16 | |
| Credit Hours | 32 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 156 | |