Boston University School of Medicine

Introduction

Boston University opened the School of Medicine in 1873 when it merged with the New England Female Medical College. The School of Medicine became a component of the Boston University Medical Center in 1962.

Academics

The academics are organized in a way that can be typified as 4-year semi-modern.

First year: The first-year curriculum presents a study of man in a biopsychosocial model. Courses are offered in the traditional biologic disciplines that lead to an understanding of normal structure and function of the human body. A first semester course in psychiatry and second semester courses in sociomedical sciences, biostatistics, and epidemiology are given.

Second year: The first semester is devoted to an interdisciplinary course, Biology of Disease, a systems-based pathophysiology course in which emphasis on the clinical sciences is closely integrated with the basic sciences. Two courses, Integrated Problems and Introduction to Clinical Medicine, are given throughout the first 2 years of the curriculum. In the second year of Introduction to Clinical Medicine, communication skills are reinforced and techniques of physical examination are introduced.

Third year: This clinical year is composed of the traditional clerkships.

Fourth year: The fourth year is composed of required 4-week courses on the home medical service (geriatrics), neurology, radiology, ambulatory medicine (primary care), and a subinternship. The remaining 20 weeks of electives are scheduled at each student’s discretion.

Admissions

Admissions are highly competitive. The school is committed to the recruitment, admission, and retention of a diverse student body. Admissions vary for the MD/PhD programs, the MD/MPH and MD/MBA programs.

Students are accepted after high school, or after 2 years of college, in addition to being able to complete the firstyear of medical school over 2 academic years. For the traditional applicant, 1 year of English (composition or literature) and humanities is required, in addition to the minimum premedical science courses. It is recommended that the student have a knowledge of calculus and quantitative chemistry.

Transfer and advanced standing: Applicants considered for second- and third year places. Transfer students must pass Step 1 of the USMLE.

Students

The grading system used is Honors/Pass/Fail designation and a detailed written narrative. If the student is unable to pass any given course, the Promotion Committee determines the action to be taken. Passing Step 1 of the USMLE is required for graduation.Taking Step 2 is optional.

Teaching: The 14-story Instructional Building includes space for student activities, administrative offices, two 130-seat auditoriums, teaching laboratories, faculty offices, research laboratories, and a 3-floor library. The principal teaching hospitals are Boston Medical Center and affiliated Veterans Administration hospitals.

Other: The school is affiliated with a network of many other facilities.

Library: The library contains more than 80,000 volumes and receives approximately 1500 periodicals.

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