This course embodies the spirit of the new curriculum, by expanding the opportunity for individual exploration in a variety of clinical and translational science fields, early in the students' career. The program allows for self directed learning by allowing students to either choose from a diverse offering of pre-designed electives or to design their own clinical experience. The advantages of early exposure to a medical specialty include the opportunity to foster mentorships, to nurture and develop interest in the specialty and to provide intrinsic motivation to pursue further learning in the chosen field(s). These electives may also help to explore a career choice.
In this multidisciplinary learning program, following a broad set of guidelines, students will learn in a variety of methods depending on the elective experience they choose. Electives will emphasize one-on-one interaction between student and teacher. Criteria for granting credit are elective-specific minimum standards of performance as laid down by sponsoring departments.