Classroom Experiences

During the Foundations phase, you’ll learn scientific principles fundamental to the practice of medicine, explore ethical and professionalism issues, start to develop your history-taking and physical examination skills, and begin to understand the pathophysiological basis for disease.

Goals

Our goals for the Foundations phase are:

  • Provide a solid foundation in the basic medical sciences
  • Show the importance of basic sciences in the practice of medicine
  • Provide a solid foundation in pathophysiology
  • Introduce you to an evidence-based approach to decision making
  • Provide a foundation for future independent learning
  • Teach you to identify, retrieve, and assess the biomedical literature
  • Provide an introduction to patient care
  • Help you develop your clinical skills to the level needed for clinical coursework
  • Adhere to the highest standard of integrity and honesty in all professional relationships 

Learning Formats
 

Each course has a unique blend of learning formats. You’ll:

  • Be part of large group active learning sessions
  • Participate in hands-on activities
  • Hone your clinical skills by working with standardized patients and models in a variety of simulation settings
  • Interact with classmates and specialized facilitators in small group settings
  • Engage with online active learning modules

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Curriculum Contacts

Assistant Dean for Curriculum   
Katherine (Betsy) Murray, MD, MPH   
kemurray@umn.edu

Director of Instructional Design   
Jess Blum, PhD   
jblum@umn.edu

Foundations Curriculum Manager   
Elle Fasteland   
efastela@umn.edu

Director of Clinical Immersion and Transitions   
Holly Proffitt, PhD 
proff022@umn.edu