University of California, Irvine (College of Medicine)

Since its founding in 1965, the University of California, Irvine has been set apart by its spirit of innovation, with strengths in research and education that align with regional, national and international priorities.

Located on the UCI campus which spans 122 acres of rolling coastal foothills, the School of Medicine has grown dramatically since its establishment at UCI in 1967, and now attracts internationally recognized researchers and clinicians.

University of California, Irvine School of Medicine has a faculty of 550 members, a medical student body of approximately 400, a resident physician population of 600 and 120 graduate students. The University of California, Irvine is located in the gentle rolling hills of Southern California and has a strong academic reputation.

Following UCI's commitment to excellence, the School of Medicine is dedicated to advancing the knowledge and practice of medicine through scholarly research, physician education and the provision of high-quality medical care to patients. The medical college actively nurtures the development of scholars in the clinical and basic sciences. The School of Medicine continues to gain widespread acclaim as one of the nation's most prominent research institutions in the fields of cancer and the neurosciences, and offers medical students a challenging opportunity to work alongside internationally-respected leaders in their fields. UCI's Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center is one of the few facilities in California designated by the National Cancer Institute as a "comprehensive cancer center." This facility is located at UCI Medical Center, the only academic and research hospital in Orange County. A 180-acre University Research Park is adjacent to the School of Medicine for research and development companies to collaborate with UCI faculty and students. Another key initiative is the Irvine Biomedical Research Center, where UCI faculties are working on new approaches to cancer, genetics, infectious diseases and aging. Therefore, continuing its longstanding tradition of growth and innovation, the UCI School of Medicine offers everything you need to make your vision of becoming a medical practitioner a reality.

Approximately 400 medical students are currently enrolled in the School of Medicine, and more than 100 students are pursuing graduate degrees in the biomedical sciences. The faculty includes more than 800 full-time and 1,900 voluntary members. In addition, the School of Medicine offers a broad range of research, education and clinical affiliations; one of the nation's largest residency programs for primary care disciplines and internal medicine; and some of the most advanced medical equipment available today.

To support students in every way possible, the School of Medicine provides an award-winning array of student support services and incorporates the use of today's most advanced computer-based technology in the medical education curriculum. Students can also gain early exposure to clinical medicine during the first two years of medical college through the innovative Patient-Doctor Series.

The School of Medicine places a high priority on community outreach programs and strives to reach disadvantaged segments of Southern California's population. On campus students can also find a wide variety of recreational and extracurricular activities that help keep overall balance in their lives and discover new outlets for fitness and fun.

Clearly, the innovative spirit that has characterized UCI's School of Medicine since its beginnings will continue to infuse its research, teaching and outreach missions as it moves boldly through the 21st century.

Research and education are critical to the mission of the School of Medicine. Thus, major programs have been built focusing on neurosciences, cancer and genetics. The School of Medicine consists of 24 different departments with individual training programs situated in each area. There are 42 ACGME accredited Residency Programs within the School of Medicine, 92 medical students and 120 new residents are admitted each year. Graduate Training Programs exist in the Departments of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Physiology, Pharmacology, Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Community and Environmental Toxicology, and Biochemistry. A Master's Degree Program has been established in Genetic Counseling.

Clinical facilities are located at the University of California, Irvine Medical Center in Orange, California, and the Long Beach Veterans Affairs Medical Center. The Long Beach Memorial Medical Center is one of the major clinical affiliates of the School of Medicine's training programs.

The academic and administrative headquarters of the School of Medicine are located on a 122-acre site, on the western edge of the UCI campus. Designated the Health Sciences Complex, the 28 acres that are currently developed provide facilities for teaching, research and patient care as well as departmental offices. These facilities include:

* Joan Irvine Smith Hall — Built in 1986, this building formerly housed the corporate headquarters of the Nelson Research and Development Company (a private pharmaceutical firm). The association between UCI and Nelson represented the first cooperative university/industry venture of its kind within the UC system. Irvine Hall, as it is colloquially known, houses the administrative offices of the dean of theSchool of Medicine as well as COM faculty in various departments.

* Medical Sciences Building — The basic sciences instructional programs are located in this four-story, six-unit building, which provides space for research laboratories, teaching facilities and administrative offices for several COM departments.

* Beckman Laser Institute — The Beckman Laser Institute opened in the spring of 1986 and is one of the first facilities in the world in which laser plays a major role in both clinical treatment and basic research.

* Hitachi Chemical Research Center — This facility is devoted to basic research in the fields of neurological disorders, diagnostic systems and reagents, and industrial bioreactors.

* Medical Plaza — This 40,000-square-foot outpatient facility was built in 1988 and provides comprehensive clinical care services.

* J. Edward Berk/Alumni Study Center — As part of the expansion of the J. Edward Berk/Alumni Study Center, the UCI COM recently opened the doors to a new, state-of-the-art Student Training Center (STC). The STC was developed to teach medical students clinical skills in a setting that mimics an actual clinical environment. The renovation of the former Bio-Medical Library and Study Center is being supported by funds from the UCI Medical Alumni Association and Dr. J. Edward Berk. Its completion is dependent on alumni support. The Center offers alumni many opportunities for lasting recognition at the College.

* UCI Medical Center — In 1976, plans were shelved to develop an on-campus hospital in favor of purchasing the existing Orange County Medical Center, located approximately 12 miles from UCI in the City of Orange. Renamed UCI Medical Center, this 462-bed hospital, housing more than 300 medical specialties, has become the principal clinical facility for the COM. Recent expansions at UCI Medical Center include the Clinical Cancer Center in 1992 and the Neuropsychiatric Center in 1994.

In order to offer both medical students and residents a broad range of clinical experiences, the COM has teaching affiliations with several area hospitals, including the Long Beach VA Medical Center, and Long Beach Memorial Medical Center.

On October 20, 1995, the first stage of UCI’s Irvine Biomedical Research Center (IBRC), the William J. Gillespie Neuroscience Research Facility, broke ground in a former parking lot adjacent to theSchool of Medicine. The IRBC is a multi-phased expansion of UCI's public/private cooperative research program. The Center's overall mission is to create a dynamic environment where basic science research, clinical study and product development lead to the discovery of causes and treatments for a variety of diseases. The University's vision for the IRBC is a close collaboration between basic science, clinical study and industry. When plans for developing the GES on a 43-acre site adjacent to the COM are fully realized, more than one million square feet will have been added to the campus. The Neuroscience Research Facility is the first in a series of research centers focusing on neurosciences, genetics, cancer, cardiovascular disease, and cell development and aging.

By expanding the space and resources devoted to the neurosciences, the IBRC paves the way for hiring additional researchers and greatly enhances the ability of neuroscience faculty to initiate expanded studies. The $22-million, 79,000-square-foot facility, slated to open in March of 1997, will house research in the areas of brain aging, dementia, Alzheimer's disease, schizophrenia, and neuro-developmental disorders.

As we enter the School of Medicine's second century, we will be striving toward the goal Chancellor Laurel Wilkening had set for UCI: to be among the top 50 research institutions in the nation by the year 2000. TheSchool of Medicine, ranked 16th among U.S. medical schools in a recent U.S. News & World Report survey, is poised to lead UCI upward.

The University of California, College of Medicine medical curriculum continues to undergo revisions within all four years of instruction. Indeed, the College of Medicine faculty view curriculum development as a continual process and feel that medical education and teaching innovations must be encouraged and supported. The curriculum is designed to encourage medical students to become participants in their education process, to be active rather than passive learners, to become lifelong learners, and to use cooperative and team-learning principles.

UCI is dedicated to the nurturing of humanistic, caring physicians with top-notch clinical expertise and skills. The College strives for this through a curriculum that is not only anchored in the science of medicine but also provides meaningful curriculum on the humanistic dimensions of medicine. In this context the faculty endeavor to provide students with experiences in area such as communications and empathy, ethics and professionalism; diversity awareness; and cultural sensitivity and medical humanities. The faculty also feel that the curriculum should strive to integrate basic and clinical sciences by bringing substantial clinical material into the early phases of medical education.

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College of Medicine Medical School Location

College of Medicine Courses

FIRST YEAR

The first year course begins with 4 supervised interviewing modules that progressively increase in difficulty. The interview cases are Pain, Health Promotion, Language Barriers and Sexual History Taking. During the interview modules students work in pairs with a faculty preceptor. Each student interviews a standardized patient while being observed from the monitoring room by his partner and the faculty preceptor. After the initial interview, the student receives preceptor and peer feedback on his/her performance. After the feedback session the students change roles and the process is repeated.
After the students have had 4 supervised practice interview sessions they participate in six more complex organ based modules. The modules are patient-based and focus on specific organ systems. The educational objectives of the modules center on communication skills, physical diagnosis skills, decision-making and professionalism. These modules are patient-based and focus on specific organ systems or regions: 1) Adult Psychiatry 2) Pulmonary, 3) Cardiology, 4) Abdomen and Back, 5) Ob/Gyn and Pediatrics, 6) Geriatrics and Neurology.
The students are placed into groups of four with two faculty Co-Leaders. One Co-leader is a physician and the other Co-Leader is an Allied Health Professional. Educational sessions include a Standardized Patient Interview, a Normal Physical Examination Session, a Station Rotation session (patients with physical findings relevant to the case) and a Final Session. The student's first year education is rounded out with their participation in other real patient based activities. These activities include a tag-a-long session with their physician Co-Leader, with a resident, at a community service clinic, in pastoral care and an introduction to the disabled patient: Operation House Call. Additionally, the students will participate in Division of Geriatric's Senior Partners, the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation's Patient Empathy Workshop, the Department of Psychiatry's Counseling session and two selectives of their choice.

COURSES :

* Anatomy & Embryology : The structure of the human body is taught in Anatomy and Embryology. Emphasis is placed on normal structure as it relates to function, with consideration of abnormal structures that may be revealed in a clinical setting. Anatomy is taught through a regional approach, with an emphasis on laboratory dissections and demonstrations, augmented by lectures, radiographic films, discussions, and clinical correlate material. The course includes a detailed consideration of embryological aspects of human development. Prerequisites: Admission to medical school. Restrictions: UCI medical students only. Graduate students with consent of the course director and must enroll through the Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology.

* Histology : Histology is designed to provide students with knowledge of the cellular and sub-cellular bases of medicine. Emphasis is placed on normal structure as a basis for function, with consideration of abnormalities of structures in clinical cases. Lectures, laboratory tutorials, and independent study address how cells are formed, how cells are combined to form tissues, and how tissues are combined to form organs.

* Immunology : Immunology covers the cellular and molecular basis of immune responsiveness and the roles of the immune system in both maintaining health and contributing to disease. The material is presented in lectures and clinical correlates as well as in a set of printed core notes. Also included are three Patient-Oriented Problem Solving (POPS) sessions, in which participation is required. Pre-requisites: Admission to medical school. Restrictions: UCI medical students only. Graduates with approval from course director and must enroll through the department.

* Medical Biochemistry : Medical biochemistry for first-year medical and graduate students. The course presents the biochemistry relevant to human health and disease that forms part of the foundation of modern medical practice. This course provides students with a fundamental understanding of the principles of biochemistry and metabolism and their relationship to medicine. The course covers basic enzymology and the structure and function of proteins. The metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids, amino acids, purines and pyrimidines is presented in the context of modern medicine.

* Medical Genetics : Medical Genetics reviews the basic principles of human genetics related to disease. Aspects of assessment of genetic risk, screening for genetic diseases, and cytogenetic and biochemical diagnosis are presented. Utilization of the human gene map and the DNA sequence information for molecular genetics diagnosis are discussed. Students are introduced to the use of genetic databases and bioinformatics. Approaches to treatment of genetic disease are presented, and legal, ethical, and social aspects of diagnosis and management of genetic disease are discussed.

* Molecular & Cell Biology : The molecular and cellular mechanisms responsible for cell division as well as DNA, RNA, and protein biosynthesis are emphasized. The pathways for molecular signaling and the development of multi-cellular organisms are described including abnormal developmental states such as cancer. The future of molecular medicine, including recombinant DNA technology, is a major focus. This course provides students with an understanding of the fundamental principles of molecular cell biology, along with an understanding of the application of morphological and molecular relationships to problems of the human body. Pre-requisite: Admission to medical school. Restrictions: UCI medical students only. Graduate students with approval of course director and must enroll through the department.

* Neurosciences : Understanding the structure and function of the nervous system, with a strong neuroanatomical systems focus, is the goal of the Neuroscience course. There are four major blocks of lectures and clinical correlates in the course and these are tested in the four tests respectively. The first is the Introductory group which includes neural development and overview of regional neuroanatomy, cellular, molecular and physiological basics, the neurological exam, and neuroradiology. The second group of lectures and associated exam is Motor Systems. The third group is Sensory Systems. The fourth and last block of lectures and associated test is on Higher Cerebral and Integrative Systems.
Lectures, laboratories, and clinical correlates are presented to provide students with an understanding of normal brain function, with additional consideration of Behavioral Sciences clinical cases. Pre-requisites: Admission to UCI medical school and successful completion of Physiology. Restrictions: UCI medical students only. Graduate students with consent of course director and they must enroll through the department of anatomy and neurobiology

* Doctoring Quarter 1-3 : This course begins in the first year and continues to the end of the second year. Students participate in 4 practice interview and 6 organ-system-based interview and physical diagnosis modules in small groups with two faculty facilitators. The educational objectives of the modules center on communication skills, physical diagnosis skills, decision-making and professionalism. The student’s first year education is rounded out with participation in other real patient based activities in clinical settings. The module include standardized and paper cases correlated with basic science topics.
The second-year students continue to develop their patient interviewing and physical examination skills in a more independent environment and within a clinical setting. The students spend one half-day per week participating in Clinical Service Experiences, which are designed to provide students with real patient experience and exposure to the different fields of medicine. Students continue with an in-depth study of the content theme areas they were exposed to during the first year by participating in monthly problem-based learning sessions directed by their faculty mentor. At the beginning of their second year, students have their clinical skills tested through a Skills Appraisal Examination, which is a formative examination.

* Medical Physiology : This course consists of lectures and clinical correlates covering the classical concepts of vertebrate physiology, with emphasis on the function of normal tissues in humans. Specific topics related to neurophysiology, cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, gastrointestinal, endocrine, exercise, and sexual physiology are presented. Prerequisite: Admission to medical school and concurrent enrollment in Biochemistry. Restrictions: UCI medical students only. Graduate students with consent of the course director and must enroll through the department of Physiology.

* Behavioral Science : This course provides students with an introduction to the biological and environmental bases of normal and abnormal human behavior. Students will be introduced to the DSM IV and clinical diagnosis as well as treatment of major psychiatric disorders. Students will be taught through didactics, problem based learning sessions, as well as standardized patient interviews.

SECOND YEAR

During the second year the students will continue to develop their patient interviewing, and physical examination skills in a more independent environment and within a clinical setting. The students will spend one half day a week participating in Clinical Service Experiences which are designed to provide the students with real patient experience and exposure to the different fields of medicine. Students will spend sixteen half days in a primary care clinic. The remaining twelve weeks will be divided into 3 four-week rotations. During these rotations the students will spend one half day per week in a medicine subspecialty clinic, the emergency medicine department, and another subspecialty of their choice. Students continue with in-depth study of the Content Theme Areas by meeting monthly with their faculty mentor for a Problem Based Learning Session. The students will be assigned a Content Theme to explore during each four-week block and apply the content theme to the patient cases they are involved with during their Clinical Service Experiences. Students will present their findings and engage in small group discussions. Midway through their second year, students will have their clinical skills tested through a Skill's Appraisal, which is a practical.

COURSES :

* Clinical Pathology : This course consists of lectures and laboratories covering the areas of hematology, blood bank, clinical chemistry, and microbiology. It provides students with a foundation for understanding the pathogenesis of a variety of disease states, as well as a foundation for the proper use of the laboratory for diagnosis and optimum patient management.

* Epidemiology & Biostatistics : The Epidemiology and Biostatistics course will provide medical students with an exposure to the necessary tools for critically evaluating the medical literature in relationship to study design and analysis. Also, we will provide overall training in study design, methods, and analysis of medical and epidemiologic data. We will focus on four major content areas in epidemiology: infectious disease epidemiology; cancer epidemiology; occupational and environmental epidemiology; and genetic epidemiology.

* General & Systemic Pathology : This course deals with basic causes, mechanisms, and consequences of disease processes and with some applications of these considerations to clinical medicine. After an introduction to general types of disease processes, these processes are studied further as they affect specific organs and organ systems. Pre-requisite: successful completion of first year curriculum. Restrictions: UCI medical students. Graduate students with approval of course director and must enroll through the department of Pathology

* Medical Microbiology : This course deals with the biochemical and genetic properties of infectious agents, activities of toxins, chemotherapy, and the biochemistry and genetics of antibiotic resistance. A considerable portion of the course deals with the humoral and cellular basis of immunity and the genetic control of the immune response. The course also includes an in-depth study of the biology of parasites and the structure and activity of viruses. Pre-requisites: Admission to UCI medical school UCI medical students only. Graduate students with approval of course director and must enroll through the department of Microbiology.

* Medical Pharmacology : The course covers all the various classes of drugs that are used in medicine, particularly those used in specific or symptomatic treatment of disease states. Drugs of abuse are also covered. Emphasis is on the mechanisms of action of drugs at the organ and system level and on their use in medicine. The course includes lectures that illustrate pharmacological principles, supplemented by small group problem-solving sessions.

* Patient-Doctor Quarter 4-6 : The modules are patient-based and focus on specific organ systems. The educational objectives of the modules center on communication skills, physical diagnosis skills, decision-making and professionalism. The student’s first year education is rounded out with participation in other real patient based activities.
The second year students continue to develop their patient interviewing, and physical examination skills in a more independent environment and within a clinical setting. The students will spend 1 half-day per week participating in Clinical Service Experiences, which are designed to provide the students with real patient experience and exposure to the different fields of medicine. Students continue with an in-depth study of the Content Theme Areas they were exposed to during the first year by participating in monthly Problem Based Learning Sessions directed by their faculty mentor. Midway through their second year, students will have their clinical skills tested through a Skill’s Appraisal, which is a practical examination.

* Topics in Medicine : A case approach is used to integrate basic science concepts, pathology, pharmacology, and physical diagnosis as they pertain to an introduction to clinical medicine. The objective of the course is to ease the transition from basic science to the clinical clerkships by lecture based case presentations and discussions. The course is a major link between pre-clinical and clinical studies. The student should learn to analyze the pathophysiology of symptom presentation, understand the rationale of treatment and consider differential diagnoses. An organ system approach is utilized in integration with basic Clinical Pathology and Clinical Pharmacology.

THIRD YEAR

Year three includes an introduction to the clerkships and primary care modules, which serves to ensure that all students are exposed to a core curriculum of basic clinical problems. Year four consists of clinicopathologic correlation sessions to emphasize the basic concepts underlying the clinical conditions that students see on the wards

COURSES :

* Family Medicine : This clerkship places students with a family physician in a UCI outpatient clinic. The principles of family medicine and primary care will become apparent as students see a variety of patients presenting with some of the most common problems handled by family physicians. Students will develop an awareness of the principles of community health and epidemiology, as practically applied in an ambulatory care setting. Working in the current health care delivery environment will expose students to issues pertaining to insurance plans, health care costs, and appropriate test ordering. Special topics include health maintenance, evidence-based medicine, dealing with difficult patients and learning about the lifestyle of a family physician.

* Inpatient & Ambulatory Medicine : The clerkship occurs in a highly structured clinical environment in both in-patient and ambulatory settings. Students gradually assume responsibility for the care of patients, thereby enhancing their clinical, diagnostic and procedural skills. Clinical vignettes, bedside teaching serve to round out the experience. Required third-year rotation.

* Obstetrics & Gynecology : During this clerkship, students are taught the scientific and clinical basis of gynecology and obstetrics, including reproductive physiology, anatomy, fetal physiology, and pathology. Practical experience is offered in the management of normal and abnormal pregnancy and delivery. Instruction is given in office and surgical gynecology. Required third year rotation.

* Pediatrics : The pediatrics clerkship serves as an introduction to general pediatrics. Students rotate on the pediatric inpatient service, pediatric ambulatory settings, and the newborn nursery. Exposure to subspecialty clinics is also included. During the clerkship, students refine their knowledge and skills in obtaining accurate historical data, performing physical examinations with pediatric patients, and developing appropriate diagnosis and management plans.

* Psychiatry : This 6 week clinical clerkship provides an opportunity for hands-on experience in the process of recognizing, diagnosing, and treating mental illness using the latest neuropharmacological advances as well as more traditional psychotherapeutic approaches. Each student participates fully in patient care, clinical teaching, and conferences. Students are also required to participate in a lecture series; problem based learning, and small group discussion sessions. Students spend 3 weeks on each of two different inpatient assignments. In addition, students have an ongoing outpatient clinic assignment one half day a week, and a chance to observe 2 unique clinic experiences (telemedicine, psychotherapy, child) while on the rotation.

* Surgery : The General Surgery Clerkship provides students, as members of the surgical team, with an opportunity to study surgical patients in outpatient and hospital settings. Students acquire surgical knowledge, as well as develop skills in taking surgical histories and conducting physical examinations. Emphasis is placed on the clinical evaluation, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of surgical diseases. Students spend six weeks on general surgery (three weeks each at UCI and LBVA Medical Centers) and one week on one of the subspecialties (Urology, ENT, Orthopedics, or Plastic Surgery).

FOURTH YEAR

COURSES :

* Advanced Patient Doctor : Advanced Patient Doctor is a 2 week required course for senior medical students just before match day activities. The course covers a number of topics including business of medicine, palliative care, chronic illness, professionalism, ACLS, ethics, patient safety and quality and clinical pathological conference.

* Emergency Medicine : The objectives of the Emergency Medicine course are to introduce students to principles of acute care medicine. Students have the opportunity to evaluate patients and formulate effective testing and treatment strategies. Active participation in patient care and procedural skills are emphasized. The course consists of experiences in patent care, assigned readings from emergency medicine references, weekly conferences, and an end of the rotation final.

* Neurology : UCI students attend a 4 week core neurology clerkship during the 4th year. This is also an option for 3rd year students. Extramural students may take the course as an elective. This clerkship emphasizes the development of skills in taking a neurological history and performing a neurological examination; formulating a differential diagnosis; and proposing a course of management for neurological disorders.

* Radiology : The core clerkship consists of daily clinical film conferences, didactic lectures, learning laboratory, Radiology teaching files, and book materials. Radiology conferences inter-relate general medicine, surgery, and radiology. Emphasis is given to correlate clinical findings and use the imaging modalities for problem-solving and diagnosis and treatment, including an understanding of risk/cost/benefit ratio involved in daily clinical practice.

* Neurosurgery Clerkship : UCI students are required to take a neuroscience clerkship during either their third or fourth year. Extramural students may take the course as an elective during their final year of curriculum. The neurological surgery clerkship emphasizes the development of skills in neurological examination, functional neuroanatomy, practical interpretation of neuroimaging and the identification of emergent neurological conditions, as well as the medical and surgical management of cranial, spinal and peripheral nerve disease.

* Sub Internship

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