Pre-clinical education (Years 1-2)

Year 1 

Your first year at UNC COM lays the foundation for your journey as a physician. You’ll build a strong base in the biomedical sciences while gaining hands-on experience in anatomy, clinical skills, and osteopathic principles. From the start, you’ll also learn how social and community factors shape health, helping you connect classroom learning with the real needs of patients. This year is designed to prepare you not only for board exams but also for a lifetime of compassionate, patient-centered care. 

OMS-I FALL		OMS-I SPRING
Foundation of Medical Knowledge	WINTER BREAK	Clinical Reasoning-I
Anatomy & Imaging-I		Anatomy & Imaging-II	Evidence-Based Med.
Clinical & Communication Skills-I		Clinical & Communication Skills-II
Physician, Patients & Community-I		Physician, Patients, & Community-III

Foundations of Medical Knowledge 

You’ll study the core sciences of medicine, including biochemistry, genetics, physiology, pharmacology, microbiology, immunology, and neuroscience. These courses use a hybrid, flipped-classroom model with team-based learning, case discussions, and board-style practice questions to prepare you for licensing exams. Later in the year, you’ll move into organ system–based learning that connects science directly to patient care. 

Anatomy and Imaging

Through cadaver dissection, imaging, and clinical applications, you’ll gain a deep understanding of human anatomy. This hands-on experience helps you connect structural knowledge with real-world clinical practice. 

Clinical and Communication Skills 

From your very first semester, you’ll practice how to interact with patients and provide quality care. Using simulation labs, standardized patient encounters, and OSCEs, you’ll develop strong clinical and communication skills that will grow throughout your training. 

Osteopathic Principles and Practices 

You’ll begin training in osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM) while learning to treat patients as whole people—mind, body, and spirit. These courses ground you in the unique philosophy of osteopathic medicine. 

Physicians, Patients, and Communities 

This course sequence connects medicine to society by exploring health disparities, social determinants of health, epidemiology, and community health. You’ll also reflect on your role as a future physician and how you can advocate for positive change. 

Physician Identity Formation 

Becoming a physician is more than learning science and skills, it’s also about who you are as a professional. This course encourages reflection on your values, ethics, and growth as a compassionate, patient-centered doctor. 

Lectures and Practical Clinical Issues 

You’ll be introduced to real-world topics that prepare you for practice, including rural health, clinical integration, literature searches, and problem solving. These sessions highlight the importance of applying medical knowledge to diverse patient needs. 

Year 2 

Your second year at UNC COM builds on the foundation you laid in your first year. You’ll continue learning through cases and discussions, focusing on clinical reasoning, patient care, and communication skills. You’ll also explore professional identity, health disparities, and population health. This year blends classroom learning, small group activities, labs, and simulation experiences to help you grow as a future physician.  

OMS-II FALL		OMS-II SPRING
Clinical Reasoning-II	WINTER BREAK	Clinical Reasoning-III
Clinical & Communication Skills-III		Clinical & Communication Skills-IV
Physician, Patients & Community-III		Physician, Patients & Community-IV

Clinical Reasoning II & III  

You’ll dive deeper into diagnosing and managing patient cases. Sessions mix large group discussions and small group problem-solving. In the fall, you’ll move from system-based to symptom-based presentations, and in the spring, you’ll focus on integrating biomedical knowledge with clinical reasoning. 

Clinical and Communication Skills III & IV 

These courses cover osteopathic principles, clinical skills labs, OSCEs, and simulation experiences. You’ll also practice communication and physical exam skills through hands-on exercises and feedback. 

Physicians, Patients, and Community III & IV  

Explore professional identity, health disparities, social determinants of health, epidemiology, population health, health policy, and the business of medicine. Learn how these areas affect patient care and your role as a physician. 

Electives 

Use electives to explore your interests and expand your knowledge. These experiences allow you to focus on areas that support your career goals and personal growth.