Pre-clinical Education
Marilyn Kimmelman, EdD
Director
Office of Academic Affairs
One Medical Center Drive, Suite 210
Stratford, NJ 08084-1501
Phone: (856) 566-6980
Fax: (856) 566-6341
E-mail: kimmelma@umdnj.edu
New Curriculum 2009
On July 17, 2008 , the Curriculum Committee approved the plans for the new curriculum. The committee, under the direction of Russell Griesback, DO, and James White, PhD has worked as a group to complete this project. The curriculum has been approved by the faculty, the Executive Council and the Commission for Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA) for implementation in August 2009.
Year One: The first semester of year one is heavily involved in the basic sciences critical to success as a physician. Also integrated throughout Year 1 are OMM (including functional anatomy), professionalism, the history of osteopathic medicine, the family medicine preceptorship program, and community involved primary care. The semester begins with an eight-week block of the fundamentals of basic science which include cell physiology, membrane physiology, biochemistry, genetics, tissue types, and an introduction to microbiology and immunology. The next six weeks are dedicated to cardiovascular science including physiology, histology, biochemistry, anatomy, microbiology and genetics. The semester concludes with a six-week block of renal/respiratory science including physiology, histology, microbiology and genetics.
The spring semester of year one begins with a five-week block of gastrointestinal science followed by a four-week block of endocrine/reproductive science. Each of these blocks includes physiology, histology, anatomy, microbiology, and genetics. The semester concludes with a week block of neuroscience and neurology. This exciting module integrates both the basic science and clinical medicine into one unit, and includes neuroscience, neurology, microbiology, genetics and pathology.
Year Two: The second year curriculum is organized through systems-based modules. These modules integrate the clinical medicine, pharmacology, pathology, infectious disease, OMM, and physical diagnosis. The semester begins with the prevention module that not only reviews health and promotion prevention but also nutrition and many of the learning objectives of the practice learning-based competency. Prevention is followed by the musculoskeletal, endocrinology, cardiology, pulmonology, and nephrology/urology modules. Professionalism continues with biomedical ethics issues integrated through all case-based learning sessions and standardized patient encounters. The interpersonal communication competency begins in semester one and extends through the second semester. Psychiatry remains a course throughout both semesters of year two.
The year two spring semester begins with a week of pain management, addiction medicine, and issues surrounding death and dying. This is followed by the gastroenterology hematology/oncology, women's health, pediatrics, and geriatrics modules. The semester concludes with a formal preparatory time for COMLEX Level I examination.
Integration of Basic Science, Clinical Medicine and OMM
The committee anticipates continued integration of basic science and clinical medicine. Much of this is occurring already in small group physiology sessions, clinical teaching in biochemistry and genetics, and case-based learning in the histology course. Anatomy instruction is fully organized around clinical issues and radiology. Neuroscience is a fully integrated module with neurology.
The year two curriculum integrates clinical medicine, pathology, pharmacology, physical diagnosis, and infectious diseases within the modules. The practice-based learning objectives and the practice-based learning competency, personal communication, and systems-based practice are integrated throughout the year.
Instruction in OMM continues weekly throughout the first two years of medical school curriculum. However, the new learning formats allow for increased integration of OMM, especially in year two when instruction can focus on the patient's clinical presentations that are discussed that week. OMM is also integrated into all case-based learning cases and many standardized patient encounters.
The first and second year curriculum are supported in the Office of Academic Affairs by the implementation of online student appraisal of teaching, the development of the student course schedules and the academic calendar, referrals to instructors regarding course related issues, and the support of the work of the Curriculum Committee, its Task Forces and the Pre-Curriculum student forum. The office also facilitates the creation of Dean's letters and consults with students on the creation of the curriculum vitae in preparation for the Match.
Office Hours:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Other times available by appointment.
Stop by suite 210.
Pre-clinical Education is responsible for:
Year I and II
- First Year On-line Class Schedule
- First Year Exam Schedule Fall
- Second Year On-line Class Schedule
- Second Year Exam Schedule Fall
Schedule/curriculum/evaluation issues or questions Assistance with preparing Curriculum Vitae.
- Click here for a Sample Curriculum Vitae
- Preparation of Dean's Letters
- Summer Programs - Click below for a list of a wide variety of summer programs for medical students. This is not a comprehensive list of sites where students may complete research since it can be done anywhere. This is a starting point of possible opportunities. If you will be doing a summer activity that involves patient care, you will need to complete an Request to Participate in a Non-Credit Clinical Experience form before you may begin. Additionally, students may contact the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs at 856-566-6066 for further assistance.
