The Doctor of Medicine program in medical schools consists of two parts: basic science and clinical medicine. Both are important components of the medical school journey and prepare the students by providing them the necessary theoretical and practical knowledge.
The basic sciences curriculum taught during semesters one to five of the MD program imparts the knowledge of theoretical concepts and lays the foundation for clinical medicine. The main aim of these five semesters is to make the students familiar with medical concepts that they can use during clinical rotations.
Let’s take a detailed look at what the basic sciences curriculum is all about.
What is basic science in the MD program?
The first half of your MD program, before moving into clinical rotations, is known as basic sciences. Lasting for five semesters, the basic science curriculum comprises of medical concepts and theoretical knowledge that will be the base for your rotations. The classes will consist of lectures, seminars and video tutorials.
Many believe that basic sciences enhance clinical skills and provide the right framework for a student to start medical rotations, hence why basic sciences are also called foundational sciences.
What is the curriculum structure of the basic sciences program?
During the basic science semesters you will have classroom lectures and laboratory work to prepare you for the clinical rotations that follow. The curriculum structure, followed by most medical schools, are similar. You will be taught everything about the human body and diseases along with some clinical skills and the value of medical ethics.
The initial semester deals with the human body, its structure and functions and human histology and physiology. The second is about metabolism, nutrition, genetics and development, infection and disease and medical ethics. In the third semester, students look at neurology and neuroscience along with a continuation of systems and diseases taught in the previous semester.
The fourth and fifth semesters go into a detailed study of various human systems and diseases which focus on developing specific clinical skills in students.
By the end of the program, you will be adept in foundational sciences and prepared to meet the challenges of the clinical rotations.
What is the importance of a basic science curriculum?
The roles and values of basic science in medical school education are undisputable. Not only do they develop knowledge of medical concepts, but they also give enough preparation for clinical medicine and the other important licensing examinations that follow.
The basic sciences curriculum is the foundational rock on which the rest of the MD program is built. Acing this part of the program will make your rotations easier.
Most students also attempt the USMLE Step 1 examination soon after completing the basic sciences program as it covers all the academic knowledge you need to pursue a career in medicine.
Combining basic sciences with clinical skills will help you become a good doctor in the future. If you are interested in a career as a doctor enroll in an MD program now.