COURSE CURRICULUM

The UCD Medicine program is structured over six years, gradually building students’ scientific knowledge, clinical skills, and professional competence. In first year, students focus on core sciences such as chemistry, biology, physics, genetics, healthcare imaging, human ethics, and the relationship between science, medicine, and society. In second year, the emphasis shifts to understanding the structure and function of healthy organ systems, with highlights including anatomy dissection and patient interviews in the community. The third and fourth years complete the study of organ systems, focusing on health and disease while introducing clinical attachments. Subjects include pathology, microbiology, pharmacology, neurosciences, respiratory diseases, and clinical diagnosis and therapeutics, as well as rotations in ENT, ophthalmology, and general practice. The fifth and sixth years are dedicated to immersive clinical attachments across various medical specialties, including medicine, surgery, obstetrics and gynaecology, paediatrics, psychiatry, general practice, legal medicine, and public health medicine. Students also complete a clinical elective and undertake professional preparation for future medical practice. Throughout the course, teaching is delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars, simulations, small group tutorials, patient educator sessions, and bedside clinical learning, providing students with a comprehensive and integrated medical education.