Duke University School of Medicine

Duke University School of Medicine Academics

4-year modern. First year: This year introduces students to the basic sciences, which are the building units of medicine. The subjects are condensed into the essentials necessary for medical practice and serve as the basis for clinical studies, which begin in the following year. Courses are taught in blocks, so that students need to concentrate on no more than 3 major areas at a time. The lecture-based courses are integrated within the same block,sothatrelevantmaterialistaughttogether.Second year: During this year students begin seeing patients full-time.An intense 3-week preparatory period enables them to undertake clinical clerkships in internal medicine, surgery, obstetrics/gynecology, and pediatrics. The basic science principles learned become meaningful and arereinforcedinthecourseofworkingwithpatients.The clinical exposure permits the student to become familiar with the major patient-care disciplines and thus facilitates making thoughtful decisions concerning the path to pursue during the elective third and fourth years. Third year: This year provides an opportunity for significant personal growth. The opportunity is given to study an area of particular interest in depth. Each student chooses an independent scholarship project and enrolls in the appropriate general study program. All third-year projects last 81/2 months. Faculty advisors help the student design a study program that best meets the individual’s needs. The program serves to encourage a lifelong commitment to scholarship and enhances one’s medical education regardless of their ultimate goal. Fourth year: This very flexible year rounds out the student’s education.Itoffersopportunitiesforsamplingareasofinterest, becomingmorecomfortablewithpatients,masteringthe core competencies that have not yet been achieved, and deciding on one’s postgraduate training.