MEDICAL SCHOOL

Curriculum overview

Pre Medical Year (A104)

Students who have either not studied any sciences, or not studied chemistry, at A2 Level can apply to be admitted into a 'preliminary year' where they can acquire the necessary science background before commencing the five-year MB ChB programme.

Students studying A104 will be required to take three units: Anatomical Science I, Chemistry 1E and Physics 1E.

On successful completion of the Pre Medical Year students are automatically accepted onto A100, the standard MB ChB programme.

Graduate Entry Programme (A101)

The four-year graduate entry programme is a condensed version of the five-year MB ChB course. Students on this graduate entry programme will follow the same curriculum as the five-year A100 students except that the first two years of the curriculum are compressed into one. They will be exempt from the Molecular and Cellular Basis of Medicine Unit and the Student Selected Component in year two.

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MB ChB (A100)

The five years of the programme are each divided into a series of compulsory Units with associated assessments. Most Units are further sub-divided into Elements (subject areas).

Running throughout the five-year programme are six Vertical Themes that cross year boundaries and provide a continuity for essential themes that permeate all medical practice. There are also a series of student centred projects, known as student-selected components.

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Intercalation

At the end of Year 2, or exceptionally Year 3, a medical student may be able to intercalate an extra year in order to study for an Honours BSc degree.  At present approximately 40% of students have the opportunity to intercalate. Subjects available include Anatomical Science, Biochemistry, Cellular & Molecular Medicine (various options), Human Musculoskeletal Science, Neuroscience, Pharmacology, Physiology, Bioethics, International Health and Medical Humanities.

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Year 1

  • Human Basis of Medicine (HBoM)
     This Unit examines the role of medicine, doctors and society in health care.
    Elements: Society, Health and Medicine, Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Ethics in Medicine, Whole Person Care, Introduction to Primary Care
    Introduction to Primary Care: During this Element students visit patients at home and observe GP consultations.

  • Molecular & Cellular Basis of Medicine
     This Unit will provide you with the science knowledge base necessary for later teaching and to bridge the gap between the courses you follow at school and the more applied studies involved in the MB ChB.  It will also enable you to acquire skills in the conduct and interpretation of experiments and develop your ability to solve problems related to medical science.
    Elements: The Body and its Organisation, Cellular Activity, Excitable Membranes Nerve and Muscle, Metabolic Homeostasis, Intervention in Homeostasis, Genetic Disease, Nutrition and Metabolic Disease, Infection and Immunity, Cancer and Cell Proliferative Disease.

  • Systems of the Body 1a
     Each of these Elements provides a multidisciplinary approach to specific systems of the body in health and disease.
    Elements: Cardiovascular System, Musculoskeletal System

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Year 2

  • Systems of the Body Ib
     Each of the 'Systems' Elements provides a multidisciplinary approach to specific systems of the body in health and disease.
    Elements: Respiratory System, Gastrointestinal System

  • Systems of The Body II
     Each of the 'Systems' Elements provides a multidisciplinary approach to specific systems of the body in health and disease.
    Elements: Renal System, Nervous System, Endocrine & Reproductive Systems

  • Introduction to  Clinical Skills
     The main emphasis of these weeks is to teach you the basics of history taking, physical examination and communication skills in both hospital and primary care settings.

  • Student Selected Component (SSC)
     Approximately 25% of the curriculum time is set aside for project work. All students complete one project as a library based research project, the second project is often more practical and chosen from a range of options. Examples are: dissection, Deaf Studies, applied foreign languages (European).

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Year 3

This year marks a distinct shift in emphasis towards clinically-based teaching, and is intended to provide a firm basis for the development of core clinical skills, including history taking and clinical examination.  For the next three years students will spend the majority of their time based at hospitals in Bristol and the surrounding areas.

  • Medicine & Surgery A (A & B are now a double unit).
    Elements: Cardiovascular and Respiratory Systems, Vascular Surgery, Diseases of the Ear, Nose, Throat and Oral Cavity, Radiology of these systems

  • Medicine & Surgery B
    Elements: Abdominal System, the Breast, Endocrine System, Renal/ Urological Systems, Neurological System, Radiology of these systems

  • Psychiatry & Ethics
    Elements: Psychiatry, Ethics and Communication Skills

  • Musculoskeletal Diseases,  Emergency Medicine & Ophthalmology
    Elements:     Orthopaedics, Rheumatology, Emergency Medicine, Ophthalmology

  • Post Examination SSC
     A period of time given for students to undertake independent project work.

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Year 4

  • Community Oriented Medical Practice I
    Elements:     Child Health, Public Health & Evidence Based Medicine

  • Community Oriented Medical Practice II
    Elements: General Practice, Care of the Elderly, Dermatology

  • Reproductive Health & Care Of The Newborn
    Elements: Obstetrics, Gynaecology, Sexual Health and Care of the Newborn

  • Applied Clinical Sciences
    Elements: Pathology: Histopathology, Haematology, Microbiology and Clinical Biochemistry
    Anaesthesia: Perioperative and critical care medicine

  • Year 4 External SSC
    A period of time given for students to undertake independent project work

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Year 5

 Year 5 has been designed to prepare students for their Foundation training and includes the following Units:

  • Senior Medicine and Surgery (includes Neurology and Accidental & Emergency; Palliative Care and Oncology are taught in both this unit and PPP)
  • Preparing for Professional Practice (PPP)
  • Elective Period - 8 weeks

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