Medicine (Graduate Entry)  (MDS9)

Our mission is to improve patient health by developing competent, caring doctors who are life-long learners, driven by scientific enquiry and the desire to serve our society’s evolving healthcare needs. We aim to develop in our medical students an in-depth knowledge of the fundamentals of health and disease and an understanding of modern medicine including its applications and limitations. We teach our students to be self-directed learners and as graduates to be life-long participants in education and research. Our objective is to build strong professional, inter-personal and decision-making skills that are key to success in their careers. We develop in our students an innate sense of responsibility, commitment to social and cultural diversity, equity and ethical standards. We strive for a supportive, dynamic learning environment where each student in the Medicine Programme will have been supported in reaching their individual potential.

We use innovative and creative evidence based educational approaches to develop in our students a repertoire of analytical, cognitive and examination skills and teach them key procedural techniques which become essential to their work as doctors.  A patient centred reflective approach is key to all our teaching methods. Our assessment strategy is driven by the necessity to translate knowledge, skills and attitudes to face- to- face patient care.

1 - Be able to maintain and enhance professional activities through lifelong learning.
2 - Critically evaluate information and its sources and apply this appropriately in their decision making.
3 - Facilitate the learning of patients, families, junior colleagues, other health professionals, the public, and others, as appropriate.
4 - Contribute to the creation, dissemination, application, and translation of new medical knowledge and practices through research and audit.
5 - Recognise personal and professional limits of knowledge and competence and consult appropriately.
6 - Establish and maintain the clinical skills to perform a complete and appropriate patient centred assessment of a patient and to use therapeutic interventions effectively.
7 - Have acquired proficient practical skills for diagnostic and therapeutic use as required of an intern in practice.
8 - Understand and accept the roles and responsibilities of the doctor as defined by the Medical Council or other professional regulatory body.
9 - Be committed to the professional ethical and legal codes of practice.
10 - Be committed to physician health and wellbeing including self.
11 - Possess team working skills to promote and maintain the effectiveness of the multidisciplinary team in healthcare provision.
12 - Develop and maintain communication skills to support all roles.
13 - Possess the capacity to develop management and leadership skills over time in the knowledge of the principles of the Irish healthcare system, the fundamentals of management science and personal professional development.

Students progression and continuation in the programme is subject to the requirements of the School of Medicine’s Fitness to Practice Statement.

The medical degree programme is an exciting pathway to becoming a doctor.

One of the strengths of the undergraduate medical degree programme is patient-based teaching in small groups where our students learn the necessary skills under the tuition of highly qualified clinical tutors. We aim to enhance your experience by attention to student welfare and by adopting innovative teaching strategies and assessment methods.

The UCD teaching hospitals are leading, modern national medical centres that deliver the highest quality in patient care. The major general teaching hospitals are the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital and St Vincent's University Hospital, based in Dublin.

UCD Medicine programmes are accredited by the Irish Medical Council (IMC). The School is listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools.

UCD's Health Sciences centre, opened in September 2005, is a state-of-the-art facility for medical education and research and brings the research and teaching activities of physicians, nurses, physiotherapists and radiographers together under one roof.

STAGE 1
In Stage 1, you will take modules in the basic sciences including Physics, Chemistry, Cell Biology and Genetics. Modules in Healthcare Informatics will equip you with the appropriate information technology.

STAGE 2
Stage 2 modules examine the anatomy, physiology and biochemistry of healthy cells, tissues and organ systems. Both semesters contain clinical modules that introduce students to patient care in community and hospital settings.

STAGES 3 & 4
Stage 3 modules begin to review the pathology, microbiology and pharmacology of organ systems in a clinically integrated approach. Modules in Stage 4 complete the study of the diseased organ systems with continued clinical integration.

STAGE 5/YEARS 5 & 6
In the final two stages, modular programmes in Medicine, Surgery, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Paediatrics and Psychiatry are studied. This involves periods of clinical attachments in the general and specialist hospitals, attachment to a general practice and systematic instruction in the various medical specialties. Clinical tuition is patient-based and is largely carried out through small group sessions at the bedside.

Our international network offers students exciting opportunities to gain experience overseas. Scholarships are available to support elective periods in clinical and academic centres all over the world.

Graduates of the School have achieved worldwide recognition in clinical practice, research and healthcare leadership. Upon graduation, you must complete one year as an intern to gain full registration with the Irish Medical Council. You may then pursue training towards a career in a wide variety of specialties, in diverse settings, including hospitals and primary care facilities, or laboratory-based diagnosis and research.

Opportunities for Research 

Each year, approximately 100 Medicine students undertake an eight-week supervised laboratory, clinical or medical education project in Ireland or at one of our partner institutions in the Student Summer Research (SSRA) programme. The programme brings to life our commitment to foster in our students a passion for enquiry, discovery and investigative research.

UCD School of Medicine Office C134,
1st Floor Health Sciences Centre
Belfield,
Dublin 4

Tel: +353 1 716 6686
Contact: ucd.ie/medicine/contactus/

Stage 2

Students in Stage 2 of the programme carrying more than 10 credits (includes all remediations) following the
Autumn Examination Board, held in January/February each year, will not ordinarily participate in clinical
placements in the Spring Trimester. A bespoke academic plan will be developed by the School to support the
student.

Stage 3

Students will not progress to Stage 3 of the programme if they have not completed all previous stages in their entireity - see major derogations for MDS9 Medicine DR005.

See the UCD Assessment website for further details

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