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Curriculum: Phase 3

Phase 3 encompasses the fourth year of the curriculum and consists of the following components: Advanced Clinical Experience (ACE), Selective experience, Electives, and four weeks of vacation. Students may customize this phase of the curriculum by taking any one of the components in any sequence.

The Advanced Clinical Experience is composed of four required rotations: intensive care unit, emergency department, Advanced Inpatient Experience, and a two week radiology course. For the Advanced Inpatient Experience, students may select from a four-week rotation in one of the following specialties: internal medicine, family medicine, surgery, or pediatrics.

The Selective experience provides students with the opportunity to complete a capstone project, in the areas of education, research, or community health. Students develop and carry out independent projects under the guidance of a faculty advisor. Many students use this opportunity to develop a specific expertise or to explore an area of particular interest.

The electives offered in phase 3 are wide ranging and include rotations in all specialties and subspecialties of medicine, pediatrics and surgery. In addition, students may take elective time to serve as a co-facilitator in the Principles of Clinical Medicine (PCM) course. This teaching opportunity allows them to reinforce knowledge in a specific area and to improve teaching skills. Students may take their electives within the UConn system or at any other medical school. Based on surveys sent to residency program directors who train our students, the school is confident that the educational and training experiences offered by UConn prepares students to excel in their chosen field.

The Student Continuity Practice may be continued throughout phase 3 (into year 4) as a longitudinal elective.