Doctor of Medicine (Athens Campus Students)

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First- and second-year students study basic and clinical science in an organ-systems based, hybrid curriculum the centerpiece of which is case-based, small group learning, supplemented by large group interactive sessions. Previous department-based courses such as biochemistry, anatomy, genetics, physiology, neuroscience, microbiology, immunology, pathology, pharmacology, and psychiatry, are integrated and presented in the context of clinical problems to encourage a more logical sequence of learning and to highlight the clinical relevance of the basic sciences. This helps students learn in a context that more directly applies to how they will care for patients.

The emphasis on an integrated approach to lifelong learning begins in the first year to help students learn the normal structure and function of the human body as well as understand social and behavioral aspects of medicine. It continues in the second year, which emphasizes pathophysiology and clinical decision making. Basic science is also revisited through the clinical skills course, Essentials of Clinical Medicine (ECM). The ECM course has 3 components, Evidence Based Clinical Decision Making (EBCDM), Clinical Skills, Community Health (in year 1), and Population Health (in year 2), which in turn are interwoven with the organ system based modules where possible.

Required and elective third- and fourth-year clerkships are available in private practices, community clinics and hospitals. These two years involve the application of the knowledge acquired in the basic sciences and ECM in a clinical setting. As in Augusta, the third year consists of clinical rotations in the core disciplines of medicine. The fourth year lasts 11 months and consists of electives and selectives.

Phase One:

First Year - Fall Total: 39 Semester Hours

First Year - Spring Total: 40 Semester Hours

Phase Two:

Second Year - Fall Total: 41 Semester Hours

Second Year - Spring Total: 35 Semester Hours

Phase Three:

Year Three

Students must satisfactorily complete all of the requirements of Phase 2 before entering Phase 3. Students must pass USMLE Step I to enter the third year curriculum.

Students will complete their core clerkships and electives at hospitals and community based training sites throughout Northeast Georgia. All core clerkships and the intersession in the care for chronically ill and terminally ill patients occur in the catchment area for the Medical Partnership Campus.

Curriculum:

Year Four

The fourth year is ten months in length. Students must complete two clerkships and two selectives. All students must complete an adult ambulatory clerkship, an emergency medicine clerkship, an acting internship selective, and a critical care selective. The remainder of the fourth year consists of at least three electives. Students may take additional electives during the academic year. Of these three required electives in the fourth year, one must be at an MCG‐ affiliated site.

Only one international experience may fulfill the elective requirements for graduation.  
Students may only receive graduation credit for one research elective regardless of the length of the experience. A student may do research electives in different areas of interest; however, only one of these electives fulfills the elective requirements for graduation.  
If a student did not complete a third year elective, s/he must do a total of four electives in the fourth year to fulfill the requirements for graduation. Two of the four electives must be on‐campus.  
The Curriculum Office must approve off‐campus electives for graduation credit.  
According to institutional policy, students may not receive retroactive credit for electives that were not approved by the Curriculum Office.

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