The curriculum for the School of Medicine is designed to prepare future physicians with the knowledge, skills, and behaviors required for any specialty field they choose. The pre-clinical curriculum (years 1 and 2) is taught as a series of system-based modules that progress through two phases. In Phase I, the foundational courses of histology, physiology, biochemistry, and genetics, along with foundations in medicine are organized into system-based modules structured to provide normal structure and function, while still maintaining the identity of each course. Phase II begins in the latter portion of Year 1 and provides the foundational knowledge and skills necessary for understanding pathophysiology and disease states, also in system-based modules containing microbiology, immunology, pathology, pharmacology, behavioral and neurosciences, and clinical medicine.
Students begin learning clinical skills early in Year 1. Specialty-based clinical training begins in May of Year 2 and continues throughout most of Year 3. The final phase of the curriculum is designed to help students choose and prepare for their residency choice while enhancing skills in emergency medicine, radiology and cultural competence. The curriculum provides enough flexibility for early and numerous opportunities in community service and service-learning, dedicated time for students interested in dual degrees (MPH, MBA), or mentored research.
Pre-clinical MD curriculum in the School of Medicine is available only to those students who have been accepted into Tulane's MD program.
Clinical MD electives in the School of Medicine may be available to visiting students from United States medical schools who apply and are accepted for individual electives through AAMC's VSAS/VSLO platform. Tulane School of Medicine does not offer electives to visiting students from international schools of medicine.
Current MD students in the School of Medicine should log into eMedley's eCurriculum for additional registration details, and for more details about courses and rotations, such as objectives, syllabi, permission to add, etc.
Degree requirements
Students complete their pre-clinical curriculum (first and second years) as a cohort and are registered by the School of Medicine Office of Admissions and Student Affairs. First- and second-year students will receive information through email listservs and dean's hours about how and when to choose their preclinical electives.
Third-year students complete their seven required clinical clerkships in a lock-step fashion. Third-year students will receive information through email listservs and dean's hours about how and when to find information about their third-year clerkships through eMedley's eCurriculum, and how to request a particular clinical clerkship path.
Fourth-year students select block dates for their required fourth-year rotations and electives through a lottery system. Fourth-year students will receive information through email listservs and dean's hours about how to use eMedley's eCurriculum's registration and scheduling resources.
| Year 1 | Credit Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| GANT 1008 | Gross Anatomy | 8 |
| BIOC 1010 | Biochemistry | 7 |
| GENE 1007 | Genetics | 1 |
| HSTO 1001 | Histology | 5 |
| PYSI 1002 | Physiology | 5 |
| FIM1 1005 | Foundations Med I | 5 |
| One pre-clinical elective in first or second year | 1 | |
| Credit Hours | 32 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| BRBH 2006 | Brain, Mind and Behavior | 6 |
| CLDG 2004 | Clinical Diagnosis | 3 |
| FIM2 2005 | Foundations Med II | 2 |
| IMMU 2001 | Immunology | 1 |
| MICR 2000 | Intro to Infectious Diseases | 4 |
| PATH 2002 | Mechnms of Disease | 14 |
| PHAR 2003 | Pharmacology | 5 |
| One pre-clinical elective in first or second year | 1 | |
| Credit Hours | 36 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Passing score on USMLE Step 1 1 | ||
| FAMY 3000 | Family Medicine 2 | 6 |
| SURG 3000 | Surgery | 8 |
| PEDS 3000 | Pediatrics | 8 |
| PYCH 3000 | Psychiatry | 4 |
| NEUR 3000 | Neurology | 4 |
| OBGY 3000 | Obstetrics & Gynecology | 8 |
| MED 3000 | Medicine | 8 |
| Credit Hours | 46 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| Passing scores on USMLE Step 2 Clinical Knowledge 3 | ||
| MED 4409 | Community Health 4 | 4 |
| EMER 4020 | Emergency Medicine | 2 |
ACLS training (complete before EMER4020) 5 | ||
| RADS 3020 | Radiology | 2 |
| Acting Internship (see various departments) | 4 | |
| Clinical electives (see various departments) 6 | 30 | |
| 5 Interdisciplinary Seminars (offered through Office of Medical Education) | ||
| Credit Hours | 42 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 156 | |
- 1
Students must record a passing USMLE Step 1 score by October of their third year or they will be placed on leave of absence. See the Tulane School of Medicine handbook and policies for more information.
- 2
During some years that face interruptions or crises, such as natural disasters or pandemics, core clerkships may change course number or weeks' of duration. Students should monitor their Tulane email for updates to curriculum, and students should review their transcripts for any exceptions to the core third-year clerkships identified in this table.
- 3
Students must record a passing USMLE Step 2 score to graduate. Students are encouraged to take Step 2 by December of their fourth year. See the Tulane School of Medicine handbook and policies for more information.
- 4
Students in Tulane's MD/MPH combined program and students who matriculated with or before the Class of 2015 are exempt from the MED4409 requirement but must complete 34 weeks' worth of electives.
- 5
ACLS training is provided through Tulane University's SIM Center. Students should consult the SIM Center for available training days/times.
- 6
Students should monitor their emails daily: curricular changes may be necessary to accommodate classes that are affected by natural disasters, pandemics, etc. Students should note that online electives and teaching/tutoring/research electives may be limited. Students are encouraged to complete as many clinical electives as possible to prepare for the clinical demands of residency.