Curriculum

Curriculum

Ohio State helped forge the American medical curriculum. Recognizing students' different learning styles, Ohio State created the Independent Study Program in 1970, developed a problem-based learning curricular pathway in 1990, and in 2002, produced an exciting hybrid curriculum that marries the best of the problem-based and lecture-discussion approaches.

Impressive, but what does it mean to you?

It means that Ohio State educators are constantly looking for innovative ways to help you become the best physician you can be -- a physician ready for the clinical side of medicine, but also with an understanding of the basic ethical, policy, cultural, business and research issues involved in medicine today.

Ohio State offers you two curriculum pathways for mastering the basic sciences: the Integrated and the Independent Study pathways. Choice of curricula allows students to self-select into the method of learning that works best for them, a special option that attracts top students from around the nation.

The Integrated Pathway features body systems-oriented content that fuses the basic and clinical sciences. It combines the proven educational methods of student-centered active learning, small group case-based discussion, and lectures. The Independent Study Pathway allows students to utilize highly structured objectives, resource guides, web and computer-based materials to learn on their own.

You don't have to wait long before you step into the clinical setting. Beginning in your first year, you'll spend time with a community health organization, beginning to learn how to evaluate patients – knowledge you'll put into practice during your experience with a primary care physician. Your foray into the patient care world is a gradual process and increased as your history taking, interviewing, physical exam, and psycho-social skills mature. Ohio State&'s Standardized Patient Program allows you to build your clinical proficiency in a low-pressure setting that includes patient "actors".