Curriculum Requirements

Pre-Clinical Curriculum: Years 1–2

Academics > Degrees > Pre-Clinical Curriculum: Years 1–2 > Curriculum

Major Requirements

YEAR ONE Credits:
COM XXX Science of Learning 1
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COM 510 Medical Gross Anatomy 5
The Medical Gross Anatomy Course (hereafter, ‘Anatomy’) will provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the gross anatomy of the human body. Students will encounter and master the form and makeup of all regions of the body, including skeletal, muscular, neural, vascular, and organ systems. Students will learn the interaction and interrelationships among these systems. Students will learn general embryology of the body and most major organ systems of the body. Throughout this course, students will become familiar with basic radiological imaging modalities (X-ray, CT, MRI) and use these imaging modalities to interpret normal human anatomy. Although this course does not cover specific pathological anatomy, students will be led through a variety of clinical correlates and case studies that demonstrate normal form and function of the body so that students can recognize how abnormal functions may present in a clinical setting. This course takes a regional approach to the study of anatomy. This approach emphasizes anatomy not as a series of discrete facts, but as the interrelationship of multiple structures and systems. The course is designed to cover human clinical anatomy to the level of detail required by first-year medical students, consistent with recommendations and guidance published by the American Association of Anatomists (Balta et al. 2019, Gross Anatomy Learning Objectives for Competency-based Undergraduate Medical Education). By the end of the course, students will demonstrate their mastery of the material through their ability to identify anatomical structures, and answer questions concerning functional anatomy, developmental anatomy, anatomical relationships, and other dimensions of anatomical knowledge.
COM 511 Building Blocks of Medicine 3
The Building Blocks of Medicine course presents, reviews, and reinforces essential biomedical and clinical science concepts that underlie the practice of Osteopathic Medicine. This course covers the cognitive and conceptual knowledge for which mastery is essential for the practice of Osteopathic Medicine so that the student develops understanding and sound clinical reasoning. This content knowledge is integrated throughout the academic year and incorporates concepts and information from multiple scientific and clinical disciplines such as Osteopathic Principles and Practice (OPP), biochemistry, genetics, pharmacology, physiology, microbiology, immunology, histology, pathology, anatomy and health promotion/disease prevention.
COM 512 Musculoskeletal and Integumentary Systems 3
The Musculoskeletal and Integumentary Systems course presents, reviews, and reinforces their structural organization, fundamental physiological principles, and broad clinical significance that underlie the practice of Osteopathic Medicine. This course covers the cognitive and conceptual knowledge for which mastery is essential for the practice of Osteopathic Medicine so that the student develops understanding and sound clinical reasoning. This content knowledge is integrated throughout the academic year and incorporates concepts and information from multiple scientific and clinical disciplines such as Osteopathic Principles and Practice (OPP), histology, physiology, pathology, microbiology, imaging, pharmacology and health promotion/disease prevention.
COM 5XX Immunology and Hematology
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COM 5XX Neuro-Foundations
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COM 5XX Nervous System and Mental Health I
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COM 5XX Nervous System and Mental Health II
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COM 517 Doctor-Patient Relationship 1 3.5
This course emphasizes the acquisition and development of proficiency in skills essential for practice as an Osteopathic Physician. Skills that will be covered include professionalism and communication, data-gathering such as patient interviewing and physical examination of the different body regions/organ systems, osteopathic structural exams, developing a differential diagnosis, diagnostic testing, osteopathic manipulative treatment, record-keeping, and developing basic plans of care for patients. Students will learn about the importance of empathy, trust, cultural humility, and shared decision-making. Additionally, the course will explore the skills necessary for caring for special patient populations such as pediatric and geriatric patients.
COM 518 Osteopathic Principles and Practice 1 3.5
Osteopathic Principles and Practice 1 introduces first-year osteopathic medical students to the philosophy, principles, and clinical application of osteopathic medicine. The course provides the foundational knowledge and hands-on skills necessary for the practice of osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM), emphasizing the relationship between structure and function and the body’s inherent capacity for self-regulation and healing. Students will learn the core osteopathic tenets, develop palpatory skills, and begin training in osteopathic structural examination and treatment. Instruction focuses on the osteopathic assessment and treatment of the major body regions,including the spine, pelvis, sacrum, ribs, and extremities. Through a combination of didactic instruction, laboratory training, and clinical reasoning exercises, students will develop the ability to integrate osteopathic principles into patient care. The course introduces fundamental osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) approaches and techniques, including soft tissue, counterstrain, muscle energy, myofascial release, articulatory techniques, and additional indirect and direct methods. Students will also learn proper physician posture, ergonomics, and safe patient positioning to support effective and professional hands-on care. Additional topics include anatomy, physiology, clinical documentation of somatic dysfunction using osteopathic terminology, indications and contraindications for OMT, basic integration of OMM into common clinical presentations, and professionalism in patient interaction during hands-on care. Emphasis is placed on patient safety,respectful touch, and the integration of osteopathic thinking with the broader biomedical sciences taught during the first year of medical school. By the end of the course, students will be able to perform a basic osteopathic structural exam, identify common somatic dysfunctions, and apply OMT techniques in a safe and appropriate manner while demonstrating an understanding of how osteopathic principles support whole-person patient care.
CCC 500 Core Clinical Competencies Seminar I 0
This seminar will provide instruction and practice to develop those core competencies, namely data- gathering (history-taking, physical examination), doctor-patient interpersonal skills, and OMM/OMT through the Institute for Clinical Competence (ICC) patient simulation program. All students must successfully complete this course and pass the end-of-year Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) in order to be promoted to year two.
 
YEAR TWO Credits:
COM 601 Principles and Practice of Osteopathic Medicine II 21
Includes basic science principles, as applied and relevant to the physiology, pathophysiology, and clinical presentations primarily with a focus of the Cardiovascular, Respiratory, and Renal systems.
COM 602 Principles and Practice of Osteopathic Medicine III 17.5
Includes basic science principles, as applied and relevant to the physiology, pathophysiology, and clinical presentations primarily with a focus of the Gastrointestinal, Endocrine and Reproductive systems.
BLS 601 Basic Life Support Seminar 0
This American Heart Association approved seminar in Basic Life Support includes one-and two-man and infant cardiopulmonary resuscitation, adult and infant choking victims, and mannequins. AHA CPR certification is issued upon passing practical and written exam.
SEM 601 Child Abuse Prevention Seminar 0
This workshop focuses on the recognition of physical and psychological signs of child abuse as manifested in medical practice. Legal issues and reporting, mechanisms of suspected and/or identified child abuse are incorporated. This workshop satisfies the child abuse curriculum requirements for New York State medical licensure.
SEM 603 Infection Control Seminar 0
This seminar acquaints students with necessary precautions to be taken in dealing with blood-borne pathogens and other infectious material in hospital and clinic settings. It satisfies the NYS and OSHA mandates for student education prior to enrollment in clinical clerkships.
SEM 605 Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Seminar 0
This seminar presents the essential elements of this legislation as it applies to the health providers and medical students in a clinical setting. It addresses both major components of HIPAA - insurance reform, and administrative simplification.
CCC 600 Core Clinical Competencies Seminar II 0
This seminar will prepare students and assess their readiness to begin their clinical rotations. Students will receive instruction and patient simulation practice in performing advanced clinical skills, namely data-gathering (history-taking, physical examination), doctor-patient interpersonal skills, OMM/OMT, note-writing, and patient management through learning and assessment activities in the Institute for Clinical Competence (ICC). All students must successfully complete this course and pass the end-of-year Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) in order to be promoted to year three.
 
YEAR 1–2 ELECTIVE COURSES Credits:
LANG 601 Medical Spanish I 1
The elective course consists of lectures and discussions dealing with Spanish in a medical setting. The student will learn the basic structure of the Spanish language and be able to utilize it these language skills in the patient interview and case management.
LANG 602 Medical Spanish II 1
Medical Spanish II is designed for the student who is an experienced Spanish speaker whose native language is Spanish or who has a greater depth of experience, advanced practice, or education in the Spanish language.
SEM 610 Longitudinal Clinical Research Elective Seminar 0
This zero-credit elective provides NYITCOM second-year students with a longitudinal opportunity to gain hands-on experience in clinical research through affiliated hospitals. Students work with faculty on ongoing or new projects, participating in design, data collection, analysis, and dissemination activities. The time commitment averages 1–2 hours per week over 6–12 months, with flexibility based on academic workload and project needs.