The basic science course is covered in the first five semesters of the MD program that deals with the pre-clinical and para-clinical subjects. This approach of teaching the medical students can help them gain the foundational knowledge on which advance medical study can be built. The students can develop a comprehensive understanding of the human body in health and illness through this course. A medical field can shape your entire professional career, and pursuing a basic science course can be your first step towards entering the medical profession.
The basic science curriculum is designed to teach the students from the base level and gradually progressing with the semesters. It can also prepare medical students for Step 1 of the United States Medical Licensing Examination(USMLE). In this article, we’ve curated the crucial topics covered in a basic science course that can help qualify the examination in the first attempt and assist in the clinical medicine course, the last five semesters of the MD program.
Here are the typical topics covered in the five semesters of the basic science course:
Semester 1:
In the first semester, the learning starts with gross anatomy, cellular biology, and histology. However, these are the topics that hold credit points for the semester:
- Patient-Doctor relations
- Principles of research and evidence-based medicine
- Histology and Cell-biology
- Developmental and gross anatomy
Semester 2:
As the students move to the second semester, the major topics included in the curriculum are the body’s molecular building blocks, etc.
- Genetics
- Biostatistics and epidemiology
- Biochemistry and molecular biology
- Physiology
Semester 3:
The third semester introduces medical students to the nutrients that make the human body healthy and unhealthy factors for human health. Medical psychology is also introduced this semester. Following are the topics that make the syllabus:
- Microbiology and Immunology
- Neuroscience
- Behavioral science and ethics
- Medical and legal ethics
Semester 4:
The main focus in this semester remains on building knowledge about diseases and the therapeutic efforts required to deal with the illness. Below are the major areas of interest:
- Pharmacology
- Pathology
Semester 5:
The last and most crucial phase of the basic science course deals with the extensive knowledge of diseases in pathology. In this semester, the students get extensive preparations to appear for the USMLE test.
- Pathology
- Clinical Therapeutics
- Introduction to clinical medicine
- Foundations of clinical medicine
The basic science course can equip the students with extensive theoretical knowledge that can be put to practical application in the later part of the MD program. With a strong base of medical theoretical understanding, the students can hone the skills required to flourish as medical professionals. Pursuing a basic science course from the Caribbean medical school can help in growing your medical career trajectory.
The Caribbean medical schools are springing up with providing quality education with much regard to medical studies. Accreditated medical schools of the island provide education comparable to the academically leading countries’. Apply to the best island medical school and increase your chances of getting selected for a medical program. Sign in to submit your application to start with the admission process!
