School of Medicine—Professional Program
The principal goal of the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine (UPSOM) is to educate physicians who are science-based, skilled, and compassionate clinicians prepared to meet the challenges of practicing medicine in the 21st century and to conduct cutting-edge biomedical research that is focused on bettering the human condition and advancing the fundamental understanding of medical science.
UPSOM has a well-developed curricular infrastructure that combines a lecture- and problem-based curriculum with early and in-depth clinical experiences and an integrated organ systems approach to the preclinical sciences. The clinical years are characterized by an integrated clerkship structure and an emphasis on student flexibility.
The current UPSOM curriculum was implemented in 2004 and features active, participatory learning; a problem-based approach; an early introduction to the patient and the community; and the integration of a rigorous foundation in basic and clinical biomedical sciences with the social and behavioral aspects of medicine. Key subject matter is longitudinally integrated throughout the curriculum, building upon a foundation of prior learning while providing a level-appropriate and well-synchronized introduction of new content.
Scheduled instructional time in the first two years of the curriculum is apportioned approximately as one-third lecture; one-third small group learning (much of which is problem-based learning; the remainder includes demonstrations, faculty-directed problem-solving exercises, skill-practice sessions, and other activities); and one-third activities (which includes observation of and appropriate participation in patient care, community-site visits, experiences with standardized patients, high-fidelity simulations, laboratory exercises, and other activities). Student achievement of course objectives is supported by a host of technologies, including the on-line curriculum and podcasts. A longitudinal performance-based assessment program provides formative support as students hone their clinical skills.
The patient focus of the UPSOM curriculum begins on day one, in the introduction to being a physician course. Students interview patients about their experience of illness and experiences with their physicians, and they visit community settings to develop an understanding of their roles as medical professionals. Medical interviewing and physical examination courses follow, along with exercises examining the many facets of physician life—in society, ethical settings, and at the patient bedside.
Throughout the first two years, students apply their new skills in local practices and hospitals one afternoon per week. The Basic Science block runs through three-fourths of the first year and provides language and concepts that underlie the scientific basis of medical practice. Organ Systems block courses integrate physiology, pathophysiology, pharmacology, and introduction to medicine with concurrent courses in the Introduction to Patient Care and Patient, Physician and Society blocks. Weekly discussions, patient interviews, and examination of hospitalized patients reinforce essential clinical skills.
The third-year curriculum consists of eight required clerkships. They are designed to optimize the balance between out-of-hospital and in-patient learning opportunities, eliminate unintentional curriculum redundancy, and optimize opportunities for student-designed curricula in the junior and senior years. The third year is punctuated by three one-week clinical focus courses.
Every student engages in a mentored scholarly project conducted longitudinally throughout the four-year curriculum. Completion and presentation of the scholarly project is due in the spring of the senior year and is a requirement for graduation. Students pursue their projects through several program options, which may include areas of specialization . An innovative system of Web-based learning portfolios facilitates learner-mentor communication and enriches the possibilities for collaboration within and beyond the University.
Many key topics are integrated throughout the curriculum as longitudinal themes. These topics include communication skills; ambulatory medicine; critical thinking skills; geriatric medicine; emergency medicine/acute care; evidence-based medicine; interprofessional education and team communications; palliative care; prevention; professionalism; public health preparedness; and substance abuse.
The information below details the school's MD program. For information on the school's Master of Science and doctoral programs, see the School of Medicine's listing under Graduate Programs.
Contact Information
- Office of Admissions and Financial Aid
- 518 Scaife Hall
- 3550 Terrace Street
- Pittsburgh, PA 15261
- 412-648-9891
- Fax: 412-648-8768
- E-mail: admissions@medschool.pitt.edu
- www.medschool.pitt.edu
Financial aid for medical students is available in the form of scholarships (both merit and need-based) and loans (federal, private, and institutional). For maximum consideration of all resources, students should complete the “Need Access Application” and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). These applications should include the student’s information, his/her spouse’s information (if applicable), and his/her parents’ information. Signed copies of federal tax returns (for student/spouse and parents) must be provided to financial aid office. Aid is awarded on the basis of financial need, as determined from the financial aid applications and supporting documentation. Students should apply as soon as possible after January 1st and should be advised that our deadline is April 16th. Students applying for need-based scholarship resources after this date are reviewed in the order the applications are received, as funds remain available. Students who do not wish to provide parental information are still considered for Federal Stafford loans, Federal Graduate PLUS loans, and private loans; these students should complete the FAFSA and provide a signed copy of their federal tax return.
Academic Standards
The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine offers a centrally governed, integrated, interdisciplinary curriculum that emphasizes problem solving and self-directed learning. The academic year is in session between 10 and 12 months, depending on the level of study. Calendars specific to each year can be found in the student handbook at the school's Web site. The first three years are a set curricula and the fourth year is a combination of both set and elective offerings. To be considered to be making satisfactory academic progress, the student must complete the first two years of the curriculum by the end of the third year after initial enrollment. The full text of the guidelines for student promotion can be found in the student handbook at the school's Web site. Students are governed by an Honor Code, which seeks to support and sustain respect for each other as well as for patients. The full text of the Honor Code can be found in the student handbook.
Grading
The official grading of the UPSOM is honors/satisfactory/unsatisfactory (H/S/U). There is an internal deviation of the grading during the third and fourth years only, adding high and low satisfactory. More information is available in our student handbook found at the school's Web site.
To receive the MD degree, students must:
1. Successfully complete curricular requirements for each of the four years.
First year: Courses in basic science including medical anatomy, cellular & pathologic basis of disease, human genetics, fuel metabolism, immunology in health & disease, medical microbiology; organ systems including pharmacology, neuroscience, introduction to psychiatry; scientific reasoning in medicine including introduction to medical decision making and methods & logic in medicine; introduction to being a physician; ethics, law, & professionalism, behavior, illness and society, and introduction to patient care courses.
Second year: Course work in organ systems including body fluid homeostasis, digestion and nutrition, hematology, endocrine, reproductive and developmental biology, pharmacology, and integrated case studies and medical decisions; methods and logic in medicine, basic science of care, and introduction to patient care courses.
Third year:Rotations in inpatient medicine; family medicine; inpatient pediatrics; obstetrics and gynecology; clinical neurosciences (psychiatry and neurology); surgery and anesthesiology; and outpatient experiences in pediatrics; medicine; emergency medicine; otolaryngology; and ophthalmology. The third and fourth schedule is viewed as a continuum and designed so students may enroll in clinical or research electives at any time during the third or fourth years.
Fourth year: An acting internship in either internal medicine, pediatrics, family medicine or surgery; four weeks of an integrated life science course of the student’s selection; and eight to nine months of clinical and/or research elective experiences.
2. Pass the United States Medical Licensing Examination, both Steps 1 and 2.
3. Meet accepted standards of professional conduct and emotional stability.
Degree Options
In addition to the MD program, the UPSOM offers a structured MD/PhD joint degree program. Information on this program is available at www.mdphd.pitt.edu.
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