The faculty of the School of Medicine is committed to nurturing and reinforcing
the attributes that are important in the making of a doctordedication,
compassion, and intellectual curiosity.
The goal of the medical school curriculum, clinical experience, and
faculty-student interactions is to develop well-trained, objective, and
conscientious physicians prepared for the changing conditions of medical
practice and continuing self-education. Students acquire understanding
of the basic medical sciences and clinical disciplines and are encouraged
to choose their own areas of interest for eventual development into careers
in the broadly diversified medical community. Required course offerings
are designed to provide students with a broad background suitable for
general practice, and all students are trained in the delivery of primary
care.
The School of Medicine accepted its charter class in 1968. The founding
faculty drew upon the strength of UCSD's existing basic science departments
rather than recreating such departments for the new school. Today this
unique relationship continues with faculty from campus departments joining
faculty from the School of Medicine's fourteen departments in teaching
the core courses in medicine. Both preclinical and clinical courses are
taught by UCSD faculty physicians who also have active patient caseloads.
Courses are continually evaluated and updated by interdisciplinary course
committees.
An honors, pass, fail grading system puts the emphasis on mastering
the knowledge students need to practice medicine. The honors grade is
not used to rank the class numerically but to acknowledge students who
have demonstrated superior academic performance. Students receive individual
evaluations written by the faculty.
Students at the UCSD School of Medicine are encouraged to explore a
variety of clinical, laboratory, and community-based experiences.
UCSD facilities are the main sites for clinical education and are licensed
for 500 beds. The majority of UCSD inpatients are admitted at UCSD Medical
Center-Hillcrest, where a number of Regional Care Centers are located,
including San Diego and Imperial Counties' only Level I Trauma Center.
The UCSD Ambulatory Care Center is located across the street from the
hospital tower.
In July 1993, a 120-bed general medical-surgical hospital, The John
M. and Sally B. Thornton Hospital, opened at UCSD Medical Center-La Jolla
which is located on the La Jolla campus. Adjacent to the Thornton Hospital
is the Perlman Ambulatory Care Center and the Shiley Eye Center.
The Veterans Affairs Medical Center, located adjacent to the School
of Medicine campus in La Jolla, also is an important training site.
Outpatient experiences include private medical practice, community clinics,
and home visitation programs. Students see patients in many of San Diego's
most modern hospitals and outpatient facilities, as well as in some of
the disadvantaged neighborhoods of San Diego and Baja California, Mexico.
In all of their clinical experiences UCSD medical students have an opportunity
to see how physicians work as a team with physician assistants, nurses,
nurse practitioners, laboratory technicians, social workers, physical
and occupational therapists, pharmacists, and other health care professionals
to provide health care. In many cases they also can see how the trend
toward "managed care" affects both patients and the practice
of medicine.
San Diego ranks third nationally in the biotechnology industry. There
are many opportunities for students to participate in cutting-edge research
in laboratories of UCSD School of Medicine researchers, as well as in
the laboratories of scientists from the general UCSD campus, the Veterans
Affairs Medical Center, The Salk Institute, Scripps Clinic and Research
Foundation, and some of the many private biomedical research companies
in the region.
The medical school curriculum provides flexibility so that the individual
needs and goals of each student can be met. The curriculum is divided
into two major components: the core curriculum and the elective programs.
Elective opportunities constitute a substantial portion of classes during
the first two years and close to 50 percent during the last two years.
The core curriculum of the first two years is designed to provide each
entering student an essential understanding of the fundamental disciplines
underlying modern medicine. The core curriculum of the last two years
is composed of the major clinical specialties taught in hospital settings,
outpatient situations, and relevant extended-care facilities. A Medical
Scientist Training Program provides the opportunity for a limited number
of students to earn both the M.D. and Ph.D. degrees over a six- to seven-year
period of study.
Each student is expected to develop an individualized program of independent
study in conjunction with a faculty member and to describe it in writing.
Freshman student enrollment is 122, and a total of 487 medical students
were enrolled in 20002001.
Selection is based upon the nature and depth of scholarly and extracurricular
activities undertaken, academic record, performance on the MCAT, letters
of recommendation, and personal interviews.
The Admissions Committee gives serious consideration only to those applicants
with above average GPA values and MCAT scores. The School of Medicine
is seeking a student body with a broad diversity of backgrounds and interests
reflecting our diverse population.
A complete catalog and information on the foregoing programs are available
for purchase at the UCSD Bookstore for $5.00, plus $2.50 for shipping
and handling (make checks payable to the UC Regents). Send School of Medicine
catalog requests to: UCSD Bookstore 0008, University of California, San
Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California 92093-0008, or for more
information, call the UCSD Bookstore at (858) 534-7326.
For additional information about the UCSD School of Medicine and its
programs, write or call:
The Office of Admissions UCSD offers no special premedical major. An undergraduate student considering
medicine as a career may choose any major or concentration area leading
to the bachelor's degree, provided that he or she elects those additional
courses which the medical school of his or her choice may require for
admission. Admission requirements differ among medical schools, but most
desire a solid foundation in the natural sciencesbiology, chemistry,
physics, mathematicsand a broad background in the humanities, social
sciences, and communication skills. A premedical/dental advisory program
is available through the campus-wide Career Services Center.
MASTER OF ADVANCED STUDIES (MAS) IN LEADERSHIP OF HEALTHCARE ORGANIZATIONS
The UCSD Department of Family and Preven-tive Medicine in the School
of Medicine offers a Master of Advanced Studies (MAS) in the Leader-ship
of Healthcare Organizations. The degree is designed to meet the needs
of health care professionals who have clinical and executive or management
responsibilities. All courses will be held in the late afternoon, evenings,
and weekends for the convenience of working professionals. Exten-sion's
EdVantage provides administrative support for the program. Further information
on the degree program may be obtained by contacting UCSD.
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