Curriculum
The MD Program curriculum emphasizes life-long learning, problem-solving skills, team work, and interprofessional education.
The curriculum that makes up the MD Program at the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry at the University of Alberta is based on principles of experiential learning. Students develop a strong theoretical background in the foundational scientific and clinical principles of medicine. Beginning in preclerkship, students apply this knowledge to clinical cases (both paper based and in a clinical setting), and develop the clinical readiness required for the patient care setting in clerkship. Students are instructed in professional identity formation, evidence based medicine, clinical skills (communication and physical exam), and clinical reasoning principles which are required to function effectively as a physician and lifelong learner.
Each course presents the material in a reasoned progression from basic information to clinical application building on foundational knowledge and skills in stepwise fashion, providing initial clinical exposure during Years 1 and 2. It ultimately evolves into a fully immersive clinical learning setting by the beginning of the third year.
A highlight of the program is the faculty's full-dissection anatomy lab. It is one of only a few in the country and is always available to provide students a valuable learning experience through the dissection of human cadavers.
Our learning environment is evolving to embrace the abilities and preferences of students through the creative use of technology and by seizing the educational opportunities newly opened up by this technology.
