The Sophie Davis School of Biomedical Education Curriculum: A Comprehensive Overview

The CUNY School of Medicine/Sophie Davis Biomedical Education Program is committed to admitting qualified students without regard to race, color, age, national or ethnic origin, disability, gender, sexual orientation, marital status or religion. The curriculum is designed to provide a broad-based education that will prepare students to meet the constantly changing demands of the medical profession in accordance with the highest ethical standards and the goals of the CUNY School of Medicine. This article delves into the various aspects of the Sophie Davis School of Biomedical Education curriculum, including its structure, requirements, and unique features.

Historical Context and Mission

The CUNY School of Medicine has its roots in 1973 when the Sophie Davis School of Biomedical Education was founded. This institution was named in honor of Sophie Davis (née Kesner), the wife of Colonial Penn founder Leonard Davis, a graduate of CCNY and a major benefactor. Its purpose was to address the increasing demand for primary care physicians in the United States, particularly in urban areas. The Sophie Davis School admits students primarily from high schools all across New York State and attracts talented graduates from diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds in New York City, with a focus on minority students, including those of African-American and Hispanic descent.

The CUNY School of Medicine has a clear mission: to increase the number of underrepresented minorities in the field of medicine, encourage its students to pursue post-graduate training in primary care, and ultimately practice medicine in areas of New York State facing healthcare shortages. The school stands out in several key areas. It holds the top rank in New York State and the third rank in the entire United States for the enrollment of female medical students. Moreover, it holds the first rank in New York State and the fifth rank in the United States for the number of underrepresented minorities graduating with an M.D. The statistics from the CUNY School of Medicine demonstrate that 65% of its graduates choose to practice medicine in New York State, surpassing any other medical school in the state in terms of producing primary care physicians.

Program Structure and Degrees

The Educational Program at the CUNY School of Medicine/Sophie Davis Biomedical Education is designed as an integrated curriculum in medical studies. The major pathway of admission to the CUNY School of Medicine for the Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) degree is through an accelerated, seven-year B.S./M.D. curriculum offered through the highly selective Sophie Davis Biomedical Education Program. As of September 2024, Brooklyn College's eight-year coordinated B.A./M.D. program has become another admission pathway into the CUNY School of Medicine. The program currently accepts 15 students per year.

During the Program’s first three years, students fulfill all requirements for the BS degree in Biomedical Sciences. After receiving the BS degree and with approval by the Student Academic Progress Committee (SAPC), students will be eligible for admission to the MD program. Upon successful completion of the MD program and with approval by the SAPC, students will be granted the MD degree. The City College of New York confers both degrees. After finishing the traditional four-year medical school curriculum, students are awarded the Doctor of Medicine degree.

Read also: Discover Sophie Cunningham's story

Curriculum Details

The CUNY School of Medicine curriculum is structured to provide a comprehensive education in medical studies. Students are expected to satisfy not only the academic requirements of the Medical School Program but also the City College of New York requirements. CCNY regulations apply to registration for all courses in the BS portion of the curriculum. Students must register on time for all courses required under the prescribed curriculum to maintain their enrollment in the Sophie Davis Biomedical Education Program. Students must follow the prescribed Sophie Davis Biomedical Education Program curriculum as scheduled, taking each course (including electives) no later than the semester and year in which it is scheduled to be taken. It is especially important that students take MED courses at the prescribed time, completing each one in sequence as scheduled.

BS Program (Years U1-U3)

During the first three years of the Program, students fulfill all requirements for the BS degree in Biomedical Sciences. The curriculum for these years is as follows:

U1 (Year 1)

Fall:
- BIO 10100 Biological Foundation (4 credits)
- MED 10200 Principles of General Chemistry (5 credits)
- FIQWS 10013/10113 Freshman Inquiry Writing Seminar (6 credits)
- MED 11209 Introduction to Population Health and Community-Oriented Primary Care (3 credits)
- WCIV 10100 World Civilizations (3 credits)
- MED 10100 Professional Foundations (0 credits)
- NSS 10000 New Freshman Seminar (0 credits)
Spring:
- ENGL 21003 Writing for the Sciences (3 credits)
- Elective (3 credits)
- PHYS 10300 Physics for the Health Sciences (4 credits)
- USSO10100 Development of the US and its People (3 credits)
- Elective (3 credits)

U2 (Year 2)

Fall:
- MED 20300 Bio-Organic Chemistry (5 credits) - prerequisite MED 10200
- MED 22310 Introduction to Epidemiology & Biostatistics (4 credits)
- PSY 10200 Application of Psychology in Modern World (3 credits)
- Elective (6 credits)
Spring:
- MED 20000 Intro to Human Genetics (3 credits) - prerequisite MED 20300
- MED 20400 Molecules to Cells (4 credits) - prerequisite MED 20300
- MED 29309 Practice of Medicine 1A (2 credits)
- MED 29409 Practice of Medicine 1B (2 credits)
- MED 22409 Pop Health & Community Health Assessment (3 credits)
- MED 24409 Evaluation in Healthcare Settings (6 credits) - class runs from May to July
- MED 22311 Introduction to Biostatistics (4 credits) - TBD
- Elective (3 credits)

U3 (Year 3)

Fall:
- MED 30501 Molecules to Cells II (4 credits) - prerequisite MED 20400
- MED 32509 US healthcare System and Policy (3 credits)
- MED 33609 Clinical Anatomy (5 credits)
- MED 39509 Practice of Medicine 2A (2 credits)
- Electives (6 credits)
Spring:
- MED 30000 Introduction to Biomedical Ethics (3 credits)
- MED 37601 Fundamentals of Organ Systems (4 credits)
- MED 37602 Fundamentals of Organ Systems II (9 credits)
- MED 39609 Practice of Medicine 2B (2 credits)

MD Program (Years M1-M4)

After receiving the BS degree, fulfilling all grade requirements and with approval by the SAPC, students will be eligible for admission to the MD program. The curriculum for these years is as follows:

M1 (Year 4)

Fall:
- MED 40709 - Selectives in Population Health l
- MED 43709 - Evidence-Based Medicine
- MED 47719 - OS Musculoskeletal
- MED 47729 - OS Cardiovascular
- MED 47739 - OS Pulmonary
- MED 49709 - Practice of Medicine III M1 FAM
Spring:
- MED 40899 - Selectives in Population Health ll
- MED 43809 - Evidence-Based Medicine
- MED 47829 - OS Gastroenterology
- MED 47839 - OS Endocrine
- MED 47849 - OS Renal
- MED 49809 - Practice of Medicine III M1 SPM

M2 (Year 5)

Fall:
- MED 57919 - OS Reproductive
- MED 58909 - Practice of Medicine III M2 FAM
- MED 57939 - OS Neurology & Psychology
Spring:
- MED 50000 - Clerkship Orientation
- MED 59009 - Practice of Medicine III M2 SPM
- MED 50100 - M2 Clinical Skills Assessment
- MED 53909 - Evidence-Based Medicine
- MED 57929 - OS Hematology/Oncology

M3 (Year 6)

M3 clerkships in each of 6 blocks
Students must take MED 60049 - OB/GYN and MED 60079
In blocks with OB/GYN and Surgery Clerkships students register for MED 60209 - Clinical Skills Assessment.
M3 intersession

M4 (Year 7)

Complete the three (3) Core Clerkships during the M4 year and the Intro to Internship Course
Complete four (4) Electives during the M4 year with no more than three (3) electives in the same specialty
Introduction to Internship

Electives and General Education Requirements

Students are required to successfully complete a total of 21 credits in free elective courses for the BS program. Of these, at least 2 credits must be fulfilled with courses designated as Regular Liberal Arts and Sciences courses in order to complete the Liberal Arts and Sciences requirement. Eligibility as Regular Liberal Arts and Sciences courses is determined in accordance with the NYS Education Department definition: “The Liberal Arts and Sciences comprise the disciplines of the humanities, natural sciences and mathematics, and social sciences. History or Government & Politics US (or any other elective credit designated as fulfilling the World Culture & Global Issue or US Experience in Its Diversity requirements) fulfill general education curriculum requirements. Transfer college credit may be used to fulfill the electives requirement and general education curriculum requirements.

Independent Study

To set up an Independent Study project, a student should first meet with the faculty member who teaches or conducts research in the area of the student’s interest to discuss the project. The student must submit this information on the Independent Study Form to the CUNY School of Medicine/SBE Program Associate Dean for Student Affairs for final approval. On occasion, a student may have an opportunity to conduct an Independent Study project with a physician or scientist from another institution, such as a teaching hospital.

Read also: Davis v. Monroe: Key Takeaways

Advanced Placement (AP) and Transfer Credits

Students who completed Advanced Placement (AP) programs in high school and took Advanced Placement examinations may receive college credit. Generally, for scores 3, 4, or 5, City College will award course credit. A student who plans to take college courses at a CUNY college other than City College after enrolling in CUNY School of Medicine/SBE must apply for an e-Permit. E-Permit facilitates the process of obtaining permission to register at other CUNY colleges.

Full-time Status and Registration

Students in the MD program are required to be enrolled fulltime each semester. Fulltime status requires a minimum of 9 credits in each of the fall and spring semesters. Students must register on time for all courses required under the prescribed curriculum to maintain their enrollment in the CUNY School of Medicine. A student who fails to register during the registration period allowed by the College will be considered to have resigned from the MD Program.

Course Drops and Withdrawals

A student will generally not be permitted to drop a course which the student is repeating, except under unusual circumstances and only after consultation with the Associate Dean for Student Affairs. A student who drops any required course (including a course needed to fulfill the electives requirement) or who does not take a course by the time it is scheduled to be taken, risks jeopardizing his or her academic progress and standing. If a student does not take a course at the proper time, it is usually difficult, and sometimes impossible, to schedule the course later in the curriculum. Except in the case of the M4 year, students are not permitted to drop courses after the registration period. Dropping courses in the M1, M2 and M3 years will result in removal from the MD program. Students will be required to meet with their advisor to discuss any need to modify their registration.

After the registration period, a student may drop a course during the time allowed by the City College. To drop a course without an academic penalty, the student must drop the course early in the semester. A student who drops a course during the fourth through approximately the tenth week of the semester and obtains the written approval of both the course instructor and the CUNY School of Medicine/SBE Associate Dean for Student Affairs will receive the non-penalty grade of “W” [withdrawal without penalty] in the course; although this grade will appear on the student’s transcript, it will not be counted when the student’s GPA is calculated. Instructors cannot assign the grade of “W” [withdrawal without penalty]. A student who does not complete the formal drop procedure and stops attending the course without notifying their instructor will be assigned a grade of “WU” [withdrew unofficially - withdrawal without approval], which will appear on the student’s transcript. Dropping courses-even if the non-penalty grade of “W” is assigned-can have serious negative consequences. City College regulations stipulate that a student who drops 12 credits or more within two academic years, be placed on academic warning. A student who drops 18 or more credits may be subject to dismissal.

Technical Standards

Every student admitted to the program is asked to affirm their compliance with Technical Standards on admission and every year thereafter. The CUNY School of Medicine/ Sophie Davis Biomedical Education Program is committed to admitting qualified students without regard to race, color, age, national or ethnic origin, disability, gender, sexual orientation, marital status or religion. Qualified applicants are individuals who demonstrate the academic abilities, intelligence, physical, professional, and communication skills required to complete a rigorous curriculum and meet certain technical standards for medical students, physician assistant students, physician assistants, and physicians.

Both MD and PA degrees signify the acquisition of general knowledge in the fields necessary for the practice of medicine. A graduate of the CUNY School of Medicine/Sophie Davis Biomedical Education Program must have the knowledge and skills to function in various clinical settings and to provide a wide spectrum of care. To acquire the requisite knowledge and skills, students must possess both sensory and motor abilities that permit them to accomplish the activities described in these standards. A student must be able to take in information received by whatever sensory function is employed, consistently, rapidly, and accurately. Students must be able to learn, integrate, analyze and synthesize data. Providing care for patients’ needs is essential to the role of a physician and physician assistant and comprises a significant component of training. A student must be able to tolerate physically challenging workloads and function under stress. A student who experiences difficulty with the workload such as experiencing excess anxiety or depression is strongly advised to meet with student affairs. The responsibilities of medical students may require their presence and attention during daytime and nighttime hours.

Specific Skills and Abilities

A student in the CUNY School of Medicine/Sophie Davis Biomedical Education Program must be capable of demonstrating observation, communication, motor, and intellectual-conceptual, integrative, quantitative, attitudinal, behavioral interpersonal, social, and emotional skills.

Observation: Students must have sufficient visual ability to be able to observe patients accurately from a distance and close at hand. They must be able to observe laboratory exercises and demonstrations. They must be capable of viewing and developing the skills needed to interpret diagnostic modalities. Students must be capable of observing, detecting, and interpreting non-verbal communication such as change in posture, body language mood, and facial expressions demonstrated by patients.
Communication: Students must be able to communicate effectively, in both written and oral English and must be able to speak with and comprehend patients and other members of the health care team. Students must be capable of establishing rapport with patients and families. Students must be able to compose and record information accurately and clearly.
Motor: Students must have sufficient motor and sensory function necessary to conduct a routine history and physical examination, differentiate normal from abnormal findings and document the findings. Students must have sufficient motor function in order to conduct movements required to provide general care and emergency treatment to patients according to acceptable medical practices. Students must have sufficient motor ability to access and perform at clinical sites required for mandatory experiences.
Intellectual, Conceptual, Integrative and Quantitative Ability: Students must have sufficient cognitive abilities to master the body of knowledge comprising the curriculum of the CUNY School of Medicine/Sophie Davis Biomedical Education Program. Students must be able to recall large amounts of information, perform scientific measurements and calculations, and understand and learn through a variety of instructional modalities including but not limited to: classroom instruction, small group discussion, individual and self-directed study of materials, preparation, and presentation of written and oral reports, peer review, and assessment, as well as use of computer-based technologies. Students must demonstrate reasoning abilities necessary to analyze and synthesize information from varying sources. Students must learn, retrieve, analyze, sequence, organize, synthesize and integrate information efficiently and reason effectively. Students must be able to measure and calculate accurately.
Attitudinal, Behavioral, Interpersonal, and Emotional Characteristics: Students must have the capacity to learn and understand ethical principles, as well as those state and federal statutes governing the practice of medicine. Students must be able to relate with patients, faculty, staff, colleagues, and all members of the health care team with honesty, integrity, nondiscrimination, self-sacrifice, and dedication. Students must demonstrate the maturity, emotional stability, and sensitivity required to form effective relationships with patients. Students must have the capacity to develop the requisite skills needed to identify personal biases, reactions, and responses as well as recognize differing points of view and to integrate these into appropriate clinical decision-making. Students must have the capacity to effectively communicate and provide care for, in a non-judgmental manner, individuals whose culture, spiritual beliefs, sexual orientation, or gender expression differs from their own. Students must be able to examine the entire patient, male and female, regardless of the social, cultural, or religious beliefs of the students. Students must be of sufficient emotional and mental health to utilize fully their abilities, exercise sound judgment, and complete educational and patient care responsibilities with courtesy, compassion, maturity, and respect. Students must be capable of modifying their behavior in response to feedback and evaluation. Students must be able to demonstrate a nonjudgmental demeanor when caring for a patient and not allow personal attitudes, perceptions, or stereotypes to compromise patient care. Students must exhibit adaptability and be able to work effectively under stress and tolerate an often physically taxing workload.

Accommodations for Disabilities

In the consideration of students for admission and in the training of students for the medical education degree, it is essential that the integrity of the curriculum be maintained, that elements of the curriculum considered necessary for the education of a physician be preserved, and that the health and safety of patients be considered vital. While reasonable accommodation is possible for certain disabilities, students must be able to perform in an independent manner with such accommodations. The use of a trained intermediary is not acceptable in many clinical situations as judgment is mediated by someone else’s power of selection, observation, and interpretation.

The CUNY School of Medicine/Sophie Davis Biomedical Education Program will consider any candidate who demonstrates the ability to perform the skills specified in these technical standards with or without reasonable accommodation, consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Candidates for the degree will be assessed on a regular basis according to the Academic and Technical Standards of the CUNY School of Medicine/Sophie Davis Biomedical Education Program on their abilities to meet the curricular requirements. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 address the provision of services and accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities. Services for students with disabilities are provided to qualified students to ensure equal access to educational opportunities, programs, and activities in the most integrated setting possible.

Students requesting accommodations must contact CCNY AccessAbility Center (AAC), located in the North Academic Center Room 1/218. The student may be required to provide additional evaluation materials. The CUNY School of Medicine/Sophie Davis Biomedical Education Program reserves the right to provide services only to students who complete and provide results of evaluations within the specified time frame and who follow the instructions provided by the CUNY School of Medicine/Sophie Davis Biomedical Education Program.

Facilities

Townsend Harris Hall houses the CUNY School of Medicine. Designed by famed New York architect George B. Post and completed in 1908, the Collegiate Gothic-style building is named for Townsend Harris, the founder of City College, and was dedicated in a ceremony at which Mark Twain was the featured speaker.

Leadership

Jonathan Woodson, M.D.
Helen Burstin, M.D.
Laurie Zephyrin, M.D.

tags: #Sophie #Davis #School #of #Biomedical #Education