For more information about our curriculum, or to contact a course director or clerkship director, please email the Office of Medical Education: vcuome@vcuhealth.org
M1
The fall semester of M1, known as the Scientific Foundations of Medicine phase, emphasizes foundational knowledge required to understand the structure, function and pathophysiology of the different organ systems.
During the Applied Medical Sciences phase, which starts in the spring semester, students study hematology and oncology, the musculoskeletal systems, gastrointestinal system, endocrine and reproduction systems.
Fall Semester
| Courses |
|---|
|
Molecular Basis of Health and Disease (Biochemistry and Genetics) |
|
Principles of Physiology |
|
Principles of Autonomics and Pharmacology |
|
Infection and Immunity (Microbiology and Immunology) |
|
Foundations of Disease |
Spring Semester
| Courses |
|---|
|
Marrow (Hematology Oncology) |
|
Movement (Musculoskeletal Systems) and Anatomy |
|
Gastrointestinal and Anatomy |
|
Endocrinology and Metabolism |
|
Reproduction and Anatomy |
M2
From August to April, M2 is a continuation of the Applied Medical Sciences phase.
| Courses |
|---|
|
Cardiovascular |
|
Pulmonary |
|
Renal |
|
Neurosciences |
|
Behavioral Sciences |
M3
During the third year, students receive clinical training by rotating through the various hospitals and ambulatory services, including VCU Medical Center, Richmond Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center, Riverside Regional Medical Center and other health care facilities throughout Virginia.
This clinical experience is supplemented by didactic presentations on practice-related topics. All students participate in the following clerkships:
| Clerkships |
|---|
M4
M4 is a year of advanced clinical concentrations, consisting of 44 weeks of elective rotations and eight weeks of acting internships.
To best serve the needs of individual students, VCU School of Medicine offers the opportunity to select electives based on career goals. Students are required to complete one ward acting internship and one critical care acting internship, with the remaining blocks containing a combination of clinical and non-clinical electives.
Students may also opt to complete an away rotation at a different health care facility.
Visiting Students
If you are a student at another institution and are interested in participating in an elective at VCU, please contact:
Hayley Mathews
Visiting Student Coordinator
hayley.mathews@vcuhealth.org