Program Overview

Introduction to the MD Program

The Carver College of Medicine at the University of Iowa offers a comprehensive medical doctorate degree curriculum that integrates basic sciences with clinical application and experience. This approach allows students to individually tailor their educational experience, preparing them for a future in healthcare that is continuously evolving.

Curriculum Overview

The curriculum is built around the three "I's": Innovation, Integration, and Individualization. It is designed to develop enduring attitudes, skills, and knowledge that will provide focus and direction for tomorrow's physicians. The goal is to educate physicians who can adapt to the complex and continuously evolving environment of healthcare delivery.

The Triple Helix Model

The curriculum consists of a triple helix model composed of three strands that extend through all four years of medical school:

• Mechanisms of Health and Disease (MOHD)
• Medicine and Society (MAS)
• Clinical and Professional Skills (CAPS)

These strands are interwoven in a helical spiral, ensuring integration of material and deliberate revisiting of content to promote progressively deeper understanding and mastery.

Curriculum Phases

The curriculum is divided into three distinct phases:

Pre-clinical (Phase I)

• Introduction to the basic sciences and clinical skills

Core Clinical (Phase II)

• Clinical clerkships and core requirements

Advanced Clinical (Phase III)

• Tailored educational experiences to prepare students for their selected specialty

Longitudinal Mentored Clinical Experiences

Students participate in longitudinal mentored clinical experiences starting in the first week of medical school. Clinical clerkships begin after just three semesters of preclinical instruction, allowing students to complete all core requirements by the end of the fifth semester.

Distinction Tracks

The program offers several distinction tracks, including:

• Global Health Distinction Track
• Health Care Delivery Science, Management and Policy Distinction
• Humanities Distinction Track
• Research Distinction Track
• Service Distinction Track
• Teaching Distinction Track

Educational Opportunities

Students have access to various educational opportunities, such as:

• CCOM Rural Iowa Scholars Program (CRISP)
• Community Health Outreach
• Clinical Skills Assessment Program
• Global Health
• Des Moines Campus
• Introduction to Medical Education at Iowa

Financial Aid

The program provides information on financial aid, including:

• Application requirements
• Disbursement requirements
• Tuition and cost of attendance
• Sources of financial aid, such as grants, scholarships, federal loans, and private loans

Student and Program Resources

Students have access to various resources, including:

• Administration
• Registrar
• Financial services
• Academic support and tutoring
• Career advising
• Student counseling
• Learning communities

Conclusion

The MD program at the Carver College of Medicine offers a comprehensive and integrated curriculum that prepares students for a successful career in medicine. With its focus on innovation, integration, and individualization, the program provides students with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes required to excel in the ever-evolving field of healthcare.