AUC students’ USMLE Step 1 First-time Pass Rate has consistently exceeded that of Non-U.S./Canadian Schools for each of the last five years.*
Upon completion of the medical sciences curriculum, students are required to take and pass the United States Medical Licensing Exam® (USMLE®) Step 1 before proceeding on to the clinical sciences portion of the program for their clinical rotations.
*First-time pass rate is the number of students passing the USMLE Step 1 exam on the first attempt divided by the number of students who attempted it for the first time. In order to sit for the USMLE Step 1 exam students must successfully complete the Medical Sciences curriculum.
Integrated Learning: A Modern Approach to Medical Sciences
Our curriculum provides a modern, integrated foundation that not only prepares students for success in exams but also equips them to excel in their clinical years and future roles as compassionate, knowledgeable physicians.
Modern Educational Technology and Active Learning
Innovative teaching tools and methods deliver content effectively:
- Online Learning Modules (OLM): Pre-recorded lecture materials paired with live Q&A sessions help students assess their mastery of the material.
- Active Learning Formats: Team-Based Learning (TBL), Collaborative TBL (CTBL), and Problem-Based Learning (PBL) in small and large group settings foster engagement and critical thinking, preparing students for clinical practice and lifelong learning.
Additional Resources
- Access to multiple Q banks and other learning platforms to enhance preparation and knowledge retention.
- Online library containing all essential textbooks.
Innovative Organ System-Based Curriculum with Early Clinical Integration
Our modern, integrated organ system-based curriculum introduces critical clinical medicine components, such as clinical skills and critical thinking, from Semester 1, ensuring our students are well-prepared to excel in clinical practice and become compassionate, skilled physicians.
All AUC students, starting from semesters 3-5, will have the opportunity to practice clinical skills at the local SMMC Hospital through the Hospital Preceptorship program. This allows them to gain hands-on experience by choosing the specialty and department they wish to visit, further enhancing their clinical training. Here, they gain exposure to real clinical practice, hospital wards, the emergency room, and the operating theater. The community engagement program also allows students to participate in health screenings in collaboration with the Public Health Department and the Ministry of Health. Additionally, there are opportunities for data collection and involvement in research projects.
For all information regarding AUC’s curriculum, please see our Student Handbook.
Early exposure to clinical scenarios ensures students develop a strong foundation in patient care and practical skills.
- Documenting clinical encounters on the Learning Space platform.
- Assessments through Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs).
- Introduction to ultrasound training with simulators, progressing to standardized patient practice using the Butterfly probe.
- Participation in simulated "morning rounds" led by faculty and supported by high-fidelity manikins, providing a hands-on, team-based clinical experience.
Integrated case discussions and clinical scenarios further enhance problem-solving abilities through collaboration, teamwork, and the practical application of medical knowledge.
- Participation in interdisciplinary morning rounds alongside healthcare team members, such as physician assistants and nurses, in simulated emergency settings.
- Performing physical exams, ordering lab tests and imaging, and proposing differential diagnoses and management plans.
- Engaging in hands-on interventions like administering oxygen, fluids, or antibiotics during clinical scenarios.
Students continue to enhance their skills in history-taking, physical examinations, clinical reasoning, and oral case presentations. They also learn to develop comprehensive problem lists, assessments, and management plans.
- Continued participation in morning rounds, Harvey (a high-fidelity cardiopulmonary patient simulator) lab sessions, and advanced ultrasound training.
- Mastery of techniques like Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma (FAST) exams and abdominal, thyroid, and cardiac ultrasound.
- Regular multi-station OSCE assessments conducted each semester to evaluate progress.
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AUC Medical Sciences Courses
Molecules to Medicine
20 Credit Hours
The Molecules to Medicine module serves as the foundation of the Medical Sciences curriculum, offering students a comprehensive understanding of essential disciplines, including anatomy, pathology, physiology, pharmacology, radiology and biostatistics. This module emphasizes the intricate relationships between molecular structures, intracellular systems, and human pathologies through a systemic approach. Students will gain practical skills in patient-centered interviewing, physical examination, clinical note-taking and ultrasound examination skills. The content is delivered through evidence-based case studies to foster critical thinking and problem-solving abilities. Additionally, the module introduces key concepts in communication, collaborative teamwork, and systems-based practice, all aimed at enhancing patient outcomes. By the end of the course, students will demonstrate a strong grasp of the foundational medical sciences, apply their knowledge to patient care, and develop critical investigative and analytical skills.
Hematology, Oncology, Attack and Defense
10 Credit Hours
The Hematology, Oncology, Attack and Defense module offers an in-depth exploration of normal and abnormal blood physiology, hematologic oncology, pharmacology, histology, embryology, pathology, immunology, and microbiology. Students will examine clinical aspects of anemia, leukemia, lymphoma, bleeding disorders, immunologic disorders, and neoplasms, along with a discussion of various abnormalities of the blood and immune systems. This module also incorporates topics such as pharmacology, imaging, public health, psychosocial aspects of illness, ethics, and health care transformation.
Through clinically integrated problem-solving, students refine analytical thinking and develop skills in focused history-taking and documentation. Using case-based learning, they analyze patient histories, physical exams, laboratory results, and imaging to establish differential diagnoses and propose management plans. Team-based and interprofessional education is emphasized during simulated morning rounds, fostering collaboration and enhancing clinical decision-making skills.
Musculoskeletal and Dermatology
10 Credit Hours
The Musculoskeletal and Dermatology module focuses on the comprehensive study of the skin and musculoskeletal systems. Students will develop both theoretical knowledge and clinical skills through lectures, online learning modules, and clinical workshops, gaining expertise in key concepts and practices within the fields of musculoskeletal medicine and dermatology.
This module emphasizes the application of objective, data-driven evaluation skills in analyzing scientific and clinical data, particularly from medical literature and case studies. Students will learn to perform detailed examinations of the skin and musculoskeletal system, diagnose common sports injuries, and utilize special tests and imaging studies to guide clinical decision-making. Interviewing techniques are honed to identify musculoskeletal and dermatological conditions effectively, and patient note-taking is practiced to enhance documentation skills.
Cardiovascular
10 Credit Hours
The Cardiovascular module provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the cardiovascular system, integrating knowledge from foundational sciences and clinical medicine. The module emphasizes the development of skills in using and interpreting clinical investigative techniques, as well as critical and analytical thinking for diagnosing cardiovascular disorders.
Students will master the physical examination of the cardiovascular system, including specialized tests and auscultation techniques for identifying heart murmurs, with hands-on training in the Harvey Lab. They will also receive ultrasound echocardiography training to enhance diagnostic accuracy. In small-group workshops, students will develop skills in interpreting ECGs, diagnosing common conditions such as myocardial infarction and arrhythmias, and applying this knowledge in clinical scenarios. Additionally, motivational interviewing skills are taught to help students effectively encourage patients to adopt healthier lifestyles and make positive behavioral changes.
Respiratory and Renal
10 Credit Hours
The Respiratory and Renal module provides students with an in-depth understanding of the respiratory and renal systems, combining foundational scientific knowledge with clinical medicine. A key focus of the module is developing critical and analytical thinking skills, along with the ability to use and interpret clinical investigative techniques for diagnosing respiratory and renal disorders.
In clinical small-group sessions, students master techniques for chest and lung examination as well as focused history-taking. These skills are applied during simulated morning rounds, where students work in interprofessional teams to assess patients, identify conditions, and recommend essential management strategies. Integrated case presentations offer students the opportunity to connect with peers at clinical clerkship sites in the UK or US, allowing them to discuss and present notable respiratory cases encountered in practice.
Radiology workshops further enhance the module by equipping students with the skills to read and interpret chest X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs, ensuring they are well-prepared for real-world clinical challenges.
Gastrointestinal and Nutrition
10 Credit Hours
The Gastroenterology and Nutrition module provides a comprehensive study of the gastrointestinal system, integrating normal anatomy, embryology, histology, and physiology with the critical role of nutrition in human health. The module explores the normal functioning of the GI system and contrasts it with pathologies at molecular, biochemical, cellular, tissue, and organ levels. An evidence-based, patient-centered approach is emphasized to teach students how to manage and maintain gastrointestinal health.
Clinical skills training in this module focuses on mastering abdominal physical and ultrasound examination and developing problem lists, assessments, and management plans—key competencies for clinical practice. Students participate in simulated emergency case management encounters, where they practice creating and presenting oral case reports to attending physicians, honing both their diagnostic and communication skills.
Endocrine and Reproductive
10 Credit Hours
The Endocrine and Reproductive module provides an in-depth exploration of normal and abnormal male and female reproduction, as well as endocrine function. A multidisciplinary approach—including embryology, anatomy, histology, physiology, pharmacology, and pathology—establishes the foundational medical knowledge for these systems. The module covers the normal and pathological conditions affecting the adrenal, thyroid, parathyroid, pancreas, liver, hypothalamus, pituitary glands, adipose tissue, and reproductive organs.
As foundational knowledge is established, the clinical medicine component integrates the science and art of medicine, addressing public health, ethics, and the impact of social disparities on endocrine and reproductive health. Clinical training emphasizes pelvic, rectal, and breast examinations, as well as thyroid evaluations using physical examination and ultrasound techniques. Students also practice fundoscopic eye exams and use simulators to study retinal abnormalities associated with diabetes, preparing them for real-world clinical scenarios.
Brain and Behavior
10 Credits Hours
The Brain and Behavior module provides an integrated study of the normal and abnormal anatomy, embryology, histology, and physiology of the central and peripheral nervous systems. It includes the etiology and developmental processes of these systems. The module examines the nervous system's functional and behavioral manifestations from multiple perspectives, including molecular, biochemical, anatomical, genetic, psychological, psychiatric, psychosocial, geographic, and cultural dimensions.
An evidence-based, patient-centered approach is applied to the assessment and diagnosis of various neurological and psychiatric disorders. During clinical medicine sessions, students develop and refine neurological examination skills, as well as practice delivering oral presentations on patients presenting with neurological or psychiatric conditions, preparing them for clinical practice.
Clinical Reasoning
10 Credits Hours
The Clinical Reasoning course provides a comprehensive review of the medical sciences curriculum, focusing on the development and assessment of clinical skills through multi-station Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs). This module is designed to prepare students for the USMLE Step 1 as well as for clinical clerkships with an emphasis on mastering essential concepts and competencies.
In small group sessions, students engage in question dissections, learning to effectively read, understand, and answer NBME-style questions. The module incorporates Team-Based Learning (TBL) sessions, interactive activities, and various self-learning opportunities and assessments, allowing students to systematically review medical science concepts in a well-structured manner. A comprehensive examination assesses the readiness for the USMLE Step 1 examination, ensuring students are well-prepared for the next step in their medical journey.
Learning Enhancement Course 101 (1 Credit Hour)
Learning Enhancement Course 201 (5 Credit Hours)
Learning Enhancement Course 202 (5 Credit Hours)
Learning Enhancement Course 301 (5 Credit Hours)
Learning Enhancement Course 302 (5 Credit Hours)
Learning Enhancement Course 401 (5 Credit Hours)
Learning Enhancement Course 402 (5 Credit Hours)
Learning Enhancement Course 501 (5 Credit Hours)
Learning Enhancement Course 502 (5 Credit Hours)
Independent Community Engagement Elective 630 (1 Credit Hour)
Independent Community Engagement Elective 631 (1 Credit Hour)
Independent Community Engagement Elective 632 (1 Credit Hour)
Independent Research Elective 601 (1 Credit Hour)
Independent Research Elective 602 (2 Credit Hours)
Independent Research Elective 603 (3 Credit Hours)
Disaster Medicine Elective (1 Credit Hour)
Service Learning Elective 620 (1 Credit Hour)
Service Learning Elective 621 (1 Credit Hour)
Service Learning Elective 622 (1 Credit Hour)
Medical Sciences Capstone Elective (10 Credit Hours)
Preparing for Clinical Rotations
Medical students complete 80 weeks of clinical training during semesters 6 through 10 (years 3-4), undergoing AUC clinical rotations at AUC's affiliated clinical sites in the United States and the United Kingdom.
Student Resources
Academic Support
Our students have access to the support they need to succeed in both their academic and personal lives. No matter what you need, AUC is there to help with a range of services like tutoring, coaching, study skills and more.
Student and Professional Development
AUC believes in its students and wants them to have all the available resources at their disposal. This includes the Office of Career Advisement (OCA), which assists students who are preparing for residency, as well as numerous professional clubs.
A Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
AUC is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified students with disabilities. AUC maintains a process for students to use should they wish to request an accommodation. The first step in the accommodation request process is to contact the Office of Student Disability Services (OSDS) at 855-229-0848 or aucosds@adtalem.com.