Curriculum

The Human Medicine master programme builds on the Medical Science bachelor degree, and also has a modular structure, with the timing and contents of each module designed to meet the requirements of cross-disciplinary learning. These requirements play an integral part in courses offered throughout the various semesters, creating a link to clinical practice and promoting the development of clinical skills.

The modules in years 1 and 2 enhance clinical abilities and proficiency by means of small-group learning. The specific health topics covered in each course focus on the problems which human medicine experts frequently encounter in day-to-day practice. Students receive practical clinical training in the course of a 48-week internship in the third year of the programme.

Courses focus primarily on clinical practice, and case studies are used to illustrate theory-based course contents. Small-group bedside teaching approaches enable students to carry out detailed, problem-based and patient-centred analysis of specific cases, as well as promoting professional conduct and interdisciplinary working practices. The objective is to help students to develop suitable reflective and decision-making capabilities, stamina, a feeling for psychological well-being and a strong sense of responsibility. The focus is also on enhancing the skills required to form interpersonal relationships, to recognise, understand and handle group dynamics, to manage tasks and responsibilities, as well as to identify and deal sympathetically with borderline situations and uncertainty. This in turn supports the students’ interpersonal and professional socialisation.

The Interdisciplinary Approaches course concentrates on health economics and biomedical engineering topics such as procedural due process, process and quality management, analysis and discussion of health and social policy issues, health care planning, institutional matters and ethical questions. The aim is to teach professional conduct as defined by the CanMEDS Roles.

Human Medicine master programme: curriculum