Medical Education Year 1

Welcome

The Southern Illinois University School of Medicine curriculum is designed to support students' development into skilled, thoughtful physicians. In the first year, students work through a series of clinical, organ-based problems. Each problem requires breadth and depth of knowledge in disciplines like gross anatomy, histology, biochemistry, behavioral science, pharmacology, embryology, genetics, physiology, and population health.

Students learn clinical skills—history taking, physical exam maneuvers, and clinical reasoning—concurrent with the basic sciences. They work with standardized patients the first week of Year 1 and soon thereafter begin shadowing a physician mentor.

First-year students study in Carbondale. The year consists of 38 weeks divided into three units. There are two optional summer experiences to which students can apply: Mentored Professional Enrichment Experience (MPEE) or Clinical and Research Experience (CARE).

Our faculty

The faculty at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine is focused on educating the region's top physicians, researching new models of care, and providing expert clinical services that address the health care needs of central and southern Illinois.

See the department

Year 1 Units

CRR – Cardiovascular, Respiratory, Renal (14 weeks)

Mid-unit exams covering gross anatomy (lab),histology, the basic sciences, clinical reasoning,physical exams.
End-of-unit exams covering gross anatomy (lab),histology, the basic sciences, clinical reasoning,physical exams.

NMB – Neural, Muscular, Behavioral (12 weeks)

Mid-unit exams covering gross anatomy (lab),neuroanatomy (lab), histology, the basic sciences,clinical reasoning, physical exams.
End-of-unit exams covering gross anatomy (lab),neuroanatomy (lab), histology, the basic sciences,clinical reasoning, physical exams.

ERG – Endocrine, Reproduction, Gastrointestinal (12 weeks)

Mu-unit exams covering clinical reasoning and physical exams.
End-of-unit exams covering gross anatomy (lab),histology, the basic sciences, clinical reasoning, and physical exams.

For more information, see the Y1 Overview Document on the Y1 Curriculum page.