Program overview
AUA prides itself on offering a unique preclinical sciences curriculum that extends beyond acquiring foundational knowledge to encompass the development of essential skills crucial for a successful and impactful medical career. It stands out for its distinctive emphasis on integrating clinical skills during the preclinical years, fostering a unique and comprehensive approach to medical education.
The preclinical studies curriculum is strategically designed to go beyond traditional theoretical learning, actively immersing students in the practical aspects of patient care even before entering the clinical phase. This emphasis on clinical skills integration distinguishes AUA’s approach, allowing students to bridge the gap between theory and real-world application very early on in their medical education.
Benefits
AUA’s preclinical sciences curriculum boasts several distinctive benefits. Firstly, arguably, the most significant advantage is that it provides early training in clinical skills. By focusing on clinical skills from the start, such a curriculum makes it easier for students to transition to the next phase of their medical education, where they work directly with patients in hospitals or clinics.
The curriculum’s commitment to interactive and engaging teaching methods, including active learning in groups, case-based learning, and problem-based studies, fosters a learning environment conducive to enhanced understanding and retention of crucial medical concepts.
Moreover, incorporating large group active learning techniques, such as team-based learning and flipped classroom lectures, further enriches the overall educational experience.
Active Learning in Groups
In the first academic period, AUA places students into small groups, typically 10 students or less. Each group has its own small-group learning center to assist with the learning activities. Each setting is equipped with the digital tools necessary to access learning resources, and serves as an academic base of operations for the individual student groups. By having a permanent study center within campus and a close-knit group of classmates and facilitators, students keep each other accountable, support each other, and get a medical education that maintains the highest standards while still being able to be adjusted to suit a student’s individual learning style.
In the first year, students focus on the normal foundations of anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, and cell biology behavior in the eight organ systems. In the second year, the emphasis is on pathophysiology, microbiology and pharmacology of those same organ systems. Clinical skills are also incorporated into the preclinical curriculum.
Students need to complete 91 credits from Year 1, Year 2, and the Basic Science Integration Semester (BSIS). This curriculum is effective as of Spring 2024. All Year 1 and Year 2 courses are graded on a pass/fail system: Honors (H), High Pass (HP), Pass (P), and Fail (F); and BSIS is graded as PASS or FAIL.
FIRST ACADEMIC YEAR
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SECOND ACADEMIC YEAR
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Career track
The immersive nature of this curriculum cultivates a deep understanding of the practical intricacies of healthcare delivery, setting a solid foundation for the challenges students will encounter in the clinical phase of their education. Moreover, AUA recognizes the importance of instilling a patient-centered approach in aspiring medical professionals.
By integrating clinical skills within the preclinical curriculum, students refine their technical abilities and develop the interpersonal and communication skills essential for building strong doctor-patient relationships. After completing the preclinical curriculum, the next step for aspiring doctors is to enter the clinical phase, where they work with real patients in hospitals or clinics.
This involves hands-on rotations in various medical specialties, during which students explore different medical fields and gain practical experience.