Pre-Clinical Years

Pre-Clinical Years in Dublin

The duration of the Pre-Clinical years in Dublin is either 2 1/2 years or 3 1/2 years subject to the academic qualifications of the student.

Foundation Year:
Subjects will be Biology, Chemistry, Experimental Physics and Clinical Science.

There are eight subjects in the Systems One course which is taken over three semesters (one and a half academic years), two semesters in First Medical Year and one in Second Medical Year.

The subject of the first semester (First Year) is
Basic Concepts related to biological physics, histologic, anatomic and physiologic principles, cellular biochemistry, introductory embryology, the health of the individual and community, healthcare informatics and clinical science.

The subjects of the second semester (First Year) are :
Personal and Population Health 1
Cardiovascular Biology
Respiratory Biology
Renal Biology

The subjects of the third semester (Second Year) are
Personal and Population Health 2
Gastrointestinal and Liver Biology
Neurosciences/Locomotor Biology
Endocrine/Reproductive Biology

At RCSI: Click to view the curriculum at RCSI

Curriculum & Examinations / Pre-med

The Pre-Medical Year curriculum is divided into two interdependent programmes: initial stand-alone modules followed by a series of integrated ones. The stand-alone modules are a prerequisite to the integrated programme, providing the student with a broad overview of the basic principles of physical, biological and chemical processes. During this part of the course, the three subject areas are taught separately and the topics covered either serve as background for later topics or are immediately relevant to the medical profession. The stand-alone and integrated modules combine to give the student a better understanding of the underlying biochemical and biophysical processes in the human body. Compulsory courses in Medical Informatics, First Aid and Study Skills are also held during the Pre-Medical Year. The Early Patient Contact Programme enables students to visit practitioners and their patients in the community. The detailed Pre-Medical Year Curriculum will be provided at the first lecture in October 2002.

First and Second Medical Years

The undergraduate medical course in the First (year 2) and Second (year 3) Years is a newly introduced integrated course in the clinical application of basic science. It leads to the First Professional Examination held in the spring of the Third Year. The material covered by the course includes Anatomy (including Histology and Embryology), Physiology, Biochemistry, Pharmacology and Behavioural Science, and it is organised substantially, though not entirely, around the systems of the body (cardiovascular, respiratory, etc.) with introductory courses in some disciplines. In the First Year, courses and structures studied are in general relevant to the trunk and limbs, while in the Second Year, the principal area of study is Neuroscience. The course includes instruction in basic clinical skills. The Early Patient Contact Programme facilitates clinical application of the basic sciences in a hospital environment (Beaumont and James Connolly Memorial Hospitals). The detailed Curriculum for First and Second Medical Years will be provided at the first lecture in October 2002.

Third Medical Year

Having successfully completed the First Professional Examination, students proceed to the Clinical Years. Students must complete a period of 33 monthsÂ’ training in a recognised teaching Hospital. During this period students must complete the following courses:

• Microbiology
• Pathology
• Clinical Pharmacology
• Communications Skills
• Medicine and Surgery