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Academics /
Basic Science Program

The Basic Science Program 

The Basic Science Program is completed during semesters one through four on our state-of-the-art campus, located on the exotic Caribbean island of St. Kitts. The curriculum utilizes problem-based learning, emphasizes clinical correlations, and provides a thorough understanding of the basic biomedical sciences. Starting in the first semester, students are introduced to history-taking, physical exam skills, and problem-solving techniques.

Small by design

We  purposefully maintain small class sizes so students are never lost in the crowd. With an 8:1 student-to-faculty ratio, and a 6:1 student-to-cadaver ratio, our students get ample time for personal, hands-on learning throughout the Basic Science Program. 

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Our traditional medical school curriculum compares with what you’d find at most U.S. medical schools. Pre-clinical exposure begins in the first semester and continues throughout the Basic Science Program. 

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Clinical settings

A compelling differentiator at UMHS is our students’ access to a variety of clinical settings. Not only are students involved at community health centers, local hospitals, and with professional patients, but they also learn in our 24-bed virtual hospital ward on the St. Kitts campus, which features cutting-edge human simulators. This simulation lab is incorporated into a variety of courses throughout the Basic Science Program, including Physical Diagnosis, Physiology, and Introduction to Clinical Medicine. Very few schools in the United States or the Caribbean have simulation centers that can compare.

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Examinations

During the Basic Science Program, students take comprehensive block examinations at various points throughout each semester. Like U.S. medical schools, UMHS has also incorporated the NBME shelf examinations into the academic program. Shelf examinations are made up of questions that are similar in style and content to those questions on the United States Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE). As a result, throughout the Basic Science Program, students are preparing for Step 1 of the USMLE.

NBME shelf examinations are typically given at the end of each semester as finals. Students will be provided with a complete analysis of each exam, which shows both their strengths and weaknesses, as well as how they compare to students in the U.S. UMHS also uses ExamSoft for examinations. Please visit this link https://ei.examsoft.com/GKWeb/login/umhssk for ExamSoft requirements.

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Laptop computers/wireless campus

High-speed wireless internet is present throughout the entire campus and all students are required to bring a laptop computer to class. Our cloud-based learning management system  enables students to access faculty PowerPoint presentations, class notes, course objectives, and curriculum from anywhere on campus or around the world. Following the U.S. standard, UMHS also provides students with a digitally enhanced database of histological images to be used throughout the program.

View laptop and tablet requirements.

Basic Science Curriculum

Semester 1
Course Credits
Gross and Developmental Anatomy 11 Credits
Histology 5 Credits
Medical Cell Biology 6 Credits
Physical Diagnosis 2 Credits
Total Credits
Semester 2
Course Credits
Physiology 10 Credits
Biochemistry 7 Credits
Genetics 3 Credits
Biostatistics and Epidemiology 2 Credits
Immunology 3 Credits
Total Credits
Semester 3
Course Credits
Pathology I 9 Credits
Neuroscience/Neuroanatomy 7 Credits
Clinical Skills (Neurology and Behavioral) 1 Credits
Behavioral Sciences and Medical Ethics 6 Credits
Microbiology 5 Credits
Total Credits
Semester 4
Course Credits
Pathology II 12 Credits
Pharmacology and Therapeutics 7 Credits
Introduction to Clinical Medicine I 6 Credits
Total Credits

Semester 1

MANT 0603
Gross and Developmental Anatomy
11 credits
MANT 0620
Histology
5 credits
MBIO 0652  
Medical Cell Biology
6 credits
MICM 0660
Introduction to Physical Diagnosis
2 credits

Semester 2

MPHY 0711
Physiology
10 credits
MBIO 0760
Biochemistry
7 credits
MBIO 0770
Genetics
3 credits
MBEH 0920
Biostatistics and Epidemiology
2 credits
MMCR 0823
Immunology
3 credits

Semester 3

MPAT 0800
Pathology I
9 credits
MNEU 0810
Neuroscience/Neuroanatomy
7 credits
MNEU 0814
Clinical Skills (Neurology and Behavioral)
1 credits
MMCR 0820
Microbiology
5 credits
MBEH 0830
Behavioral Science and Medical Ethics
6 credits

Semester 4

MPAT 0900
Pathology II
12 credits
MPHM 0910
Pharmacology & Therapeutics
7 credits
MICM 0930
Introduction to Clinical Medicine
6 credits