University of North Carolina School of Medicine

The University of North Carolina School of Medicine is a professional school within the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. It offers a Doctor of Medicine degree along with combined Doctor of Medicine / Doctor of Philosophy or Doctor of Medicine / Master of Public Health degrees.

It is one of the top ranked medical schools in the country: the 2007 US News and World Report ranks the school 2nd in primary care and 20th in research. In 2007, the school received $298 million in research funding, with approximately two-thirds coming from the National Institutes of Health.

The first year curriculum consists of four blocks covering basic sciences: Molecular Biology, Anatomy, Physiology and Microbiology. In addition, students have weekly Medicine and Society small groups, where they discuss the role and effects of health care in our society. Students learn basic clinical skills via the weekly Introduction to Clinical Medicine small groups and shadow physicians throughout North Carolina during two Community Weeks.

In between first and second year, many students conduct clinical or medical science research at UNC or at other institutions through several grants. Others travel with UNC physicians to clinics in South America, Africa and Asia.

The second year curriculum is divided into organ system blocks that are 3-8 weeks in length. Students also participate in Health & Social Science Selectives that meet once a week for half the year. Clinical exposure expands through the Introduction to Clinical Medicine small groups and three Community Weeks. At the end of second year, students take the USMLE Step 1 Exam.

The third and fourth years take place in clinics at UNC Hospitals (60% of the year) and other institutions throughout the state (40% of the year). The third year focuses on core specialties of medicine, while the fourth year allows students to gain experience in specialties of their interest. Many students take time off between the two years to pursue a Master of Public Health degree or conduct research sponsored by several institutional and national fellowships.