The UCF M.D. program curriculum fully integrates basic and clinical sciences across all four years. The first two years of the curriculum are structured into modules, with the first year focusing on a fundamental understanding of how the various basic science disciplines relate to the normal human body. The second year takes an organ system-based approach and applies the basic knowledge of the first year to the study of clinical disease, pathological processes, and treatment. In concert with these aspects of medicine, the curriculum also covers psychosocial issues, cultural differences, communication skills, and physical diagnosis skills as they relate to the different topics in medicine.

The third and fourth years of the curriculum are devoted to clinical experience through clerkships, selectives, and electives. The clinical curriculum provides practical patient experiences complemented by basic science lectures, simulations, journal clubs, and conferences throughout the six core clerkships. Integrated throughout all four years of the M.D. program, Longitudinal Curricular Themes (LCT’s) will emphasize critical aspects of medicine and medical care that are not addressed in the basic core curriculum. The LCT’s include Ethics and Humanities, Gender-Based Medicine, Medical Informatics, Lifestyle Medicine, Geriatrics and Principles of Palliative Care, Culture, Health and Society, and Patient Safety. Each of these themes will be highlighted when appropriate in the core curriculum and reinforced through a variety of interactive experiences.

Overall, the four year medical curriculum at UCF is designed to fully integrate basic science and clinical medicine, provide students with appreciation of cultural diversity and the need for sensitivity in treating patients, foster professionalism in all interactions, and ignite a passion for life-long learning.