The program combines pre-clinical coursework, graduate coursework, and fundamental biomedical research, resulting in a dissertation and a Ph.D. degree, and clinical training, which will result in an M.D. degree. These two approaches emphasize the interface between biomedical science and clinical practice that is necessary in treating patients in tomorrow's world and investigating the basis of their disease. The program is outlined below:

SUMMER RESEARCH prior to Medical School Year One - up to 10 weeks

Medical School Year One:

Clinical Anatomy, Development & Physicial Examination (CADE): 19-week course in fall semester that integrates Gross Anatomy, Embryology, and Physical Examination content by body region.

Molecular Basis of Life, Defense and Disease: 16-week course in spring semester that integrates foundational biochemistry, medical genetics, immunology, tissue and body fluid physiology, pathology, and pharmacology to introduce immunologic function in disease and health; normal cellular and tissue histology in health, injury, and healing; foundational microbiology; and mechanisms, diagnosis, and treatment of neoplastic and hematologic diseases.

Introduction to Biostatistics and Evidence-Based Medicine: 2-week course in spring semester that concentrates principles of biomedical research, foundational statistics, medical informatics, and application of evidence to patient care.

Introduction to Clinical Medicine 1 (ICM 1): 2 semester course that covers foundational patient interviewing skills, professionalism and ethics, humanism and compassion, medical system structure and health disparities, cultural humility, provision of health maintenance and use of health guidelines.

SUMMER RESEARCH in between MS Year One and MS Year Two - 10 weeks

Medical School Year Two:

Systems in Health and Disease 1: 19-week course in fall semester that integrates the normal physiology of the cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, gastrointestinal, hepatobiliary, nutritional/metabolic, and endocrine systems with their pathophysiologic function in disease, progression from normal histologic appearance to pathologic appearance, infecting microbes, and applicable pharmacologic treatments.

Systems in Health and Disease 2: 14-week course in spring semester that integrates the normal physiology of the reproductive, dermatologic, musculoskeletal, and behavioral systems as well as neurologic system diseases with their pathophysiologic function in disease, progression from normal histologic appearance to pathologic appearance, infecting microbes, and applicable pharmacologic treatments.

Introduction to Clinical Medicine 2 (ICM 2): 2 semester course that covers advanced clinical communication skills, humanism and compassion, specialized physical examination techniques, advanced medical ethics, medical socioeconomics, and healthcare laws.

SUMMER between MS Year Two and GRAD 1: The United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE Step I)

Graduate Research (Typically 3-4 years)

These years are devoted to the course work and original research to fulfill requirements established by individual basic science departments for receiving a Ph.D. in the respective discipline.

Medical School Year 3

Third Year core clerkships run concurrently throughout the academic year beginning in late June and ending the following June.. The sequence of clerkships is organized on a track basis. 

Core clerkships:

• Family Medicine (includes AHEC rotation) - 6 weeks
• Internal Medicine - 8 weeks
• Neurology - 4 weeks
• Pediatrics - 6 weeks
• Psychiatry - 6 weeks
• Obstetrics and Gynecology - 6 weeks
• Surgery - 8 weeks
• Clinical Electives and/or Vacation - 4 weeks, plus two additional weeks that can be used 

Medical School Year 4

Fourth Year runs concurrently throughout the academic year from July to early May.

Required clinical rotations include:

• Acting Internship (AI) - 4 weeks
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
• Critical Care - 2 weeks
• Palliative Care - 1 week
• Clinical Electives - 26-28 weeks
• Topics in Clinical Medicine
• Residency Interviews

Clerkships and Rotations are completed at multiple clinic sites, including, but not limited to:

• University of Louisville Hospital
• UL Health -Jewish Hospital
• Norton Children's Hospital
• Norton Hospital
• VA Medical Center

The United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE Step 2)