Emory University School of Medicine

Academics

This is a 4-year semi-traditional school. First and second year students utilize a continuum course in medical problem solving to assist students in their approach to patients and their problems. Along with traditional lectures and laboratories, this school uses problem-based learning format that allows students to integrate and apply basic science and psychosocial knowledge in solving clinical problems. The first year consists of an Interdepartmental course in cellular biology and biochemistry and in neurobiology; physiology, human anatomy, and genetics; introduction to the doctor-patient relationship, patient interviewing, and biostatistics. The second year has the students taking advanced basic sciences and courses in behavioral science and clinical methods. During the third year, students will complete a 12 week clerkship in internal medicine, 12 week interdisciplinary ethics clerkship, 8-week clerkship in other major clinical specialties, and a family medicine clerkship of 4 weeks duration. The fourth year wraps up with a 4-week clerkships in medicine, neurology, and 6 weeks on a surgical selection, 2 weeks in dermatology and radiology, and 16 weeks of elective work in any area.

Required courses, aside from the basic premedical sciences, include 6 semester hours of English and 18 semester hours of humanities and/or social and behavioral sciences. Biochemistry is highly recommended.

Grades of A through F are used in required courses and grades of Satisfactory/ Unsatisfactory are used in electives. At the end of the year, the promotion committees for each class review the records of all students to determine whether they should be unconditionally promoted to the next year’s program, whether they need remedial work, whether they must repeat work deemed unsatisfactory, or whether they are to be asked to withdraw. For promotion to the third year, a passing total score must be recorded in Step 1 of the USMLE; Step 2 must be passed prior to graduation.