Curriculum

The College of Osteopathic Medicine's curricula are guided by its mission to educate primary care physicians in a continuum of medical education. Curriculum development is a dynamic process that has resulted in allowing incoming students a choice of two curricular options:

• An innovative Lecture-Discussion Based (LDB) track that integrates the biomedical and clinical sciences along continuous didactic ‘threads’ delivered according to a systems based approach;
• A  problem-based curriculum, the Doctor Patient Continuum (DPC), whose cornerstone is small-group, case-based learning.

Course content and pedagogy are examined on an ongoing basis with annual enhancements in all areas. A student-centered, patient-focused approach is utilized to correlate basic and clinical science subject matter in an integrated fashion during the first two years of the continuum. Computer assisted instruction includes a state-of-the art patient simulation facility. Small group instruction is utilized in basic and clinical science labs, including Practical components of the doctor-patient relationship and osteopathic manipulative medicine. These methodologies supplement the traditional lecture-discussion format, and the pilot track featuring problem-based learning.

Clerkships in the third and fourth years of the continuum provide for a variety of clinical exposures and experiences, from one-on-one preceptorships in physicians’ private practices, to serving as team members in a tertiary care hospital. Students are given increasing responsibility as their skills develop and are credentialed to perform designated medical procedures.

Integration of structural evaluations and osteopathic manipulative treatment is encouraged throughout all clerkships. Awareness of psychosocial factors, legal issues and ethical concerns is fostered throughout the educational continuum. The following is a listing of all course offerings by graduating class year. The individual departments work through divisional deans’ offices to implement an integrated curriculum.

First and Second Year Courses

Lecture-Discussion Based (LDB) Track - Overview

Courses in the first half of this four-year curricular continuum are organized in a systems-based format. The systems are preceded by a fundamentals course. Each of the systems and the fundamentals course is composed of three components (threads). Those three threads are:

1. The Cellular and Molecular Basis of Medicine
2. The Structural and Functional Basis of Medicine
3. The Practice of Medicine

This  organ system approach allows for integration between the bio-psycho-social and clinical sciences in a student-centered/patient-focused curricular approach.

The Cellular and Molecular Basis of Medicine addresses the scientific principles specific to each organ system as it relates to the study of wellness and disease processes. The systems-specific content builds on general basic science foundations addressed in the fundamentals course. This thread is comprised of content material from the following disciplines: biochemistry, genetics, histology, microbiology, neuroscience, pathology, pharmacology, and physiology.

The Structural and Functional Basis of Medicine addresses the unique interrelationship between structure and function in wellness and disease, incorporating extensive didactic and laboratory experiences in applied anatomy and osteopathic principles and practices. This thread utilizes a systems-specific approach to the integrated study of human anatomy and osteopathic manipulative medicine, and builds on underlying foundations presented in the fundamentals course.

The Practice of Medicine is a systems-based introduction to the essentials of clinical medicine. It presents the principles and practices of patient-centered health care delivery, with an emphasis on primary care in the pediatric, adult, and geriatric patient populations. It includes didactic and practical experiences in the doctor-patient relationship, as well as simulated and virtual clinical exercises utilizing standardized patients and human patient simulators. These experiences allow for the acquisition of behavioral and social skills, as well as the development of clinical skills in osteopathic diagnosis and treatment, including physical examination, medical interviewing and record keeping.

Year 1

• LDB 501 Fundamentals of Osteopathic Medicine 7.5 Credits
• LDB 502 Hematological/Immunological System 7.0 Credits
• LDB 503 Integumentary System 4.5 Credits
• LDB 504 Neurological System 15.0 Credits
• LDB 505 Musculoskeletal System 4.5 Credits
• BLS 501 Basic Life Support 0.5 Credits  

Year 2

• LDB 601 Cardiovascular System 8.0 Credits
• LDB 602 Respiratory System 5.0 Credits
• LDB 603 Gastrointestinal System 7.5 Credits
• LDB 604 Genitourinary System 6.0 Credits
• LDB 605 Reproductive System 5.0 Credits
• LDB 606 Endocrine System 5.0 Credits
• SEM 601 Child Abuse Seminar 0.5 Credits
• SEM 603 Infection Control Seminar 0.5 Credits
• ACLS 601 Advanced Cardiac Life Support 1.0 Credits
• SEM 605 Heath Insurance Portability and Accountability Act Seminar (HIPPA) 0.5 Credits

Doctor Patient Continuum (DPC) Track

[Note: Enrollment in the DPC curriculum is limited to approximately 40 students from each year’s entering class. Following acceptance to the College of Osteopathic Medicine through the regular admissions process, students are afforded the opportunity to file a secondary application for admission to the DPC program.]

The Doctor Patient Continuum (DPC) is a hybrid problem-based curriculum founded on “continuum” education principles. Throughout the curriculum, learning activities are clustered within the context of clinical-case scenarios, serving as an interface between the patient and the physician, where the acquired knowledge, attitudes, and skills of the practicing clinician will later be applied. Curricular content is rooted in the scientific underpinnings of modern evidence-based medicine. The developing student-doctors are expected to explore aspects of health and disease pertinent to the clinical case at seven levels, including:

molecular, cellular, tissue, organ, integrated organ system, whole person, and family, society and environment. At the same time, clinical relevance is stressed by highlighting the nexus between the “science” and its “application”. The curriculum is designed and implemented so as to achieve consistency among curricular goals, content, learning activities, and student evaluation.

Beginning on the first day of medical school, and continuing throughout the four years of undergraduate medical education, learning activities are organized according to a continuous, iterative building process.

The goal is not only for each student to achieve his/her full potential as a well-trained, highly competent graduating osteopathic physician; but also to provide a framework for continuing education through postgraduate training and into clinical practice. The DPC curriculum is highly student-centered, featuring “student learners” vs. “faculty teachers”, and promotes the development of critical thinking and clinical problem-solving skills.

Coursework in the DPC curriculum during Years 1 and 2 includes:

• A 5-week introduction to the Fundamentals of Osteopathic Medicine - Taken together with students in the LDB track, this course covers the foundations of osteopathic medical education organized along three threads:

1. Cellular and Molecular
2. Structure and Function
3. the Practice of Medicine

• A series of courses in Biomedical Sciences, including small-group case-based learning, anatomy/microanatomy, and large-group faculty directed ‘problem sets’ and resource hours;
• A series of courses in Clinical Sciences, including didactic and laboratory experiences in osteopathic manipulative medicine and physical diagnosis. The fundamentals of the doctor-patient relationship are addressed through involvement with community-based physician mentors (Clinical Practicum), as well as experiences with standardized and simulated patients in the Institute for Clinical Competence.

Year 1

• DPC 501 Fundamentals of Osteopathic Medicine 7.5 Credits
• DPC 502 Biopsychosocial Sciences I 12.0 Credits
• DPC 503 Clinical Sciences I 4.0 Credits
• DPC 504 Biopsychosocial Sciences II 12.0 Credits
• DPC 505 Clinical Sciences II 4.0 Credits
• BLS 501 Basic Life Support 0.5 Credits

Year 2

• DPC 602 Biopsychosocial Sciences III 14.0 Credits
• DPC 603 Clinical Sciences III 6.0 Credits
• DPC 604 Biopsychosocial Sciences IV 14.0 Credits
• DPC 605 Clinical Sciences IV 6.0 Credits
• SEM 601 Child Abuse Seminar 0.5 Credits
• SEM 603 Infection Control Seminar 0.5 Credits
• ACLS 601 Advanced Cardiac Life Support 1.0 Credits
• SEM 605 Heath Insurance Portability and Accountability Act Seminar (HIPPA) 0.5 Credits

Third and Fourth Year Clerkships 

Year 3

The third year student physician completes a set of mandatory clinical clerkships such as:

• Family Medicine - 6 Weeks
• Medicine - 12 Weeks
• Ob/Gyn - 6 Weeks
• Pediatrics - 6 Weeks
• Psychiatry - 6 Weeks
• Surgery - 12 Weeks

There are two options in how the third year clerkships may be completed. The student may choose to do each rotation at a different College of Osteopathic Medicine affiliated clinical campus in the New York Metropolitan area. Alternatively, the student may do all of the clerkships at the same major regional clinical campus, a clinical affiliate of the College of Osteopathic Medicine designated to be a regional College of Osteopathic Medicine campus.

An equitable lottery system determines how the students are assigned to clerkships.

Year 4

Fourth year student physicians complete a set of clinical clerkships including :

• 2 Sub-Internships for 4 weeks each in Medicine, Pediatrics, Surgery, ObGyn, Psychiatry or Family Medicine
• Emergency Medicine for 4 weeks
• Radiology for 4 weeks
• A Preceptorship with a Board certified DO who has completed an Osteopathic internship or an Ambulatory Medicine in a College of Osteopathic Medicine approved clinical site in General Medicine, Pediatrics or Family Practice for 4 weeks
• 2 selectives of 4 weeks each at a College of Osteopathic Medicine approved clinical site in Medicine/Pediatrics and Surgery/ObGyn.
• 3 electives of 4 weeks each at any College of Osteopathic Medicine approved site in any College of Osteopathic Medicine approved discipline