At the core of the medical curriculum at The University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix in partnership with Arizona State University are 13 blocks. They are:
Basic scientists, clinicians and other health-science experts who excel in medical education, biomedical research, patient care and other scholarly pursuits, teach each block. While each block is separated in time (except for Clinical Anatomy, which runs concurrently with MBLD and NNE), they serve collectively as progressive steps in a fully integrated four-year curriculum. Within each block, the systems studied are explored in depth from many perspectives: anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, pharmacology, microbiology, immunology, pathology, developmental biology and neurosciences. Several teaching modalities, both large-group and small-group, are utilized to develop firm understanding of all topics. These include interactive lectures, case-based instruction, cadaveric labs, virtual microscopy labs, group application sessions, data acquisition labs centered on human physiology and others. These various modalities are structured in order to engage different learning styles and to develop and hone critical thinking skills and interpersonal communication. Threaded within all blocks are complementary themes: 1) Behavioral Science; 2) Biomedical Informatics; 3) Medicine and Society; and 4) Public Health, Population Medicine, Policy and Prevention. Between each block is a one-week Capstone that immerses students in clinical venues to continue to apply and master block material. In addition, concurrent with all blocks are additional required courses, including Scholarly Project, Doctoring and Longitudinal Clinical Experience.
UA College of Medicine
1501 N. Campbell Avenue
PO Box 245017
Tucson, Arizona 85724
Tel: (520) 626-4555
UA College of Medicine – Phoenix in partnership with ASU
550 E. Van Buren Street
Phoenix, Arizona 85004
Tel: (602) 827-2001
Fax: (602) 827-2074