Med school

Med School is a term commonly used to refer to medical school, an educational institution that provides a curriculum leading to a medical degree. Medical schools are typically part of a university and can be located in various parts of the world.

Overview

Medical schools are tertiary educational institutions, or part of such institutions, that teach medicine, and awards a professional degree for physicians and surgeons. Such medical degrees include the Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS, MBChB, BMBS), Doctor of Medicine (MD), or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO). Many medical schools offer additional degrees, such as a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Master's degree (M.Sc,) or other post-secondary education.

Admission

Admission to medical school varies with different countries. Most require a combination of post-secondary study at a college or university, a standardized test such as the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) or Graduate Australian Medical School Admissions Test (GAMSAT), and a degree in a related science field. Some medical schools also require a personal interview, a written application, and letters of recommendation.

Curriculum

The curriculum for medical school typically lasts four to six years and is divided into two parts. The first part, known as the pre-clinical years, consists of basic science courses, such as anatomy, biochemistry, physiology, pharmacology, microbiology, pathology, and medical ethics. The second part, known as the clinical years, involves rotations in various medical specialties, such as internal medicine, surgery, pediatrics, psychiatry, and obstetrics and gynecology.

Licensing and Residency

After graduating from medical school, students must pass a licensing examination to become a licensed physician. In the United States, this is the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE). After obtaining a license, most new physicians begin a residency in their chosen specialty.

See Also

• List of medical schools
• Medical education
• Medical student
• Medical College Admission Test
• Residency (medicine)