Clinical Science

The Clinical Science Program is designed to give students a broad spectrum of medical practice, training in clinical skills, and patient contact. The program consists of fifth semester, and core and elective rotations that are completed at U.S. teaching hospitals affiliated with the University of Medicine and Health Sciences.

UMHS students complete their fifth semester studies at the UMHS campus in Portland, Maine. The fifth semester consists of the following required courses, Introduction to Clinical Medicine II and Biological Basis of Clinical Medicine.

The UMHS facilities in Portland, Maine include the latest in simulation and technology resources. Virtual clinics utilizing human simulators are a regular student experience.

All student clinical experiences will be conducted by a team of experienced Maine physicians, many of whom have decades of both medical practice and teaching experience. Students will be assigned to physicians in actual patient care settings at several hospitals, clinics, and office health centers in and around Portland. The opportunity to work beside renowned Maine physicians is designed to build student clinical capabilities, increase student confidence, and enhance student performance on United States Licensing Examinations (USMLE).

Fifth semester students will have an opportunity to enjoy all that Portland, Maine has to offer, including succulent lobster, beautiful lighthouses, and scenic views. Portland offers all the amenities of a city such as museums, parks, and great shopping. Maine offers the mountains for skiing and hiking, rivers for canoeing, and of course, the incredible ocean coastline.

After passing Step I of the USMLE, students will be placed in clinical rotations at one or more affiliated teaching hospitals throughout the United States. This occurs under the guidance of clinical faculty, and under the supervision of the Dean of Clinical Sciences.
These clinical clerkships include 48 weeks of mandatory course clinical rotations, as well as 34 weeks of elective clinical rotations. The core rotations represent the primary areas of medical practice and the elective rotations provide students with an understanding of the various specialties in medicine.