Required Coursework

California Northstate University College of Medicine prefers a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited, four-year institution within the United States or a non-U.S. equivalent institution. Required minimum coursework:

• 2 semesters, 3 quarters, or 1 year of college level English (IB or AP credits may be considered if they are accepted by the undergraduate program)

IB or AP credits not accepted for the following:

• 2 semesters, or 3 quarters, or 1 year of Biology with Laboratory
• 2 semesters, or 2 quarters of Inorganic (General) Chemistry with a minimum of 8 units with Laboratory
• 2 semesters, or 2 quarters of Organic Chemistry with a minimum of 8 units with Laboratory
• 2 semesters, or 3 quarters, or 1 year of Physics
• 2 semesters, or 3 quarters of college level Math (Statistics and/or Calculus preferred)
• 1 semester, 1 quarter, or 3 units of Biochemistry

**All pre-requisite coursework must be fulfilled within 9 years.

Recommended Courses

• Social sciences
• Behavioral sciences
• Foreign Languages
• Anatomy
• Physiology
• Microbiology
• Immunology
• Music

Technical Standards

The Technical Standards describe the essential abilities required of all candidates. Reasonable accommodation in achievement of the standards is defined under U.S. federal statutes applied to individuals with disabilities. Such accommodations are intended to support the successful completion of all components of the MD degree.

Standards in five areas must be met by all candidates: Observation, Communication, Motor Function, Cognitive, and Professional.

• Observation. Candidates are reasonably expected to:
• Observe demonstrations and participate in experiments in the basic sciences.
• Observe patients at a distance and close at hand.
• Demonstrate sufficient use of the senses of vision, hearing, and smell and the somatic sensation necessary to perform a physical examination.
• Integrate findings based on these observations and to develop an appropriate diagnostic and treatment plan.
• Communication
• Communicate in verbal and written form with health care professionals and patients, including eliciting a complete medical history and recording information regarding patients’ conditions.
• Perceive relevant non-verbal communications such as changes in mood, activity, and posture as part of a physical examination of a patient.
• Establish therapeutic relationships with patients.
• Demonstrate reading skills at a level sufficient to individually accomplish curricular requirements and provide clinical care for patients using written information.
• Motor Function
• Perform physical examinations and diagnostic procedures, using such techniques as inspection, percussion, palpation, and auscultation.
• Complete routine invasive procedures as part of training, under supervision, using universal precautions without substantial risk of infection to patients. Perform basic laboratory tests and evaluate routine diagnostic tools such as EKGs and xrays.
• Respond in emergency situations to provide the level of care reasonably required of physicians.
• Participate effectively in physically taxing duties over long hours and complete timed demonstrations of skills.
• Cognitive
• Measure, calculate, analyze, synthesize, extrapolate, and reach diagnostic and therapeutic judgments.
• Recognize and draw conclusions about three-dimensional spatial relationships and logical sequential relationships among events.
• Formulate and test hypotheses that enable effective and timely problem-solving in diagnosis and treatment of patients in a variety of clinical modalities.
• Understand the legal and ethical aspects of the practice of medicine.
• Remain fully alert and attentive at all times in clinical settings.
• Professionalism
• Demonstrate the judgment and emotional stability required for full use of their intellectual abilities.
• Possess the perseverance, diligence, and consistency to complete the College of Medicine curriculum and prepare to enter the independent practice of medicine.
• Exercise good judgment in the diagnosis and treatment of patients.
• Complete all responsibilities attendant to the diagnosis and care of patients within established timelines.
• Function within both the law and ethical standards of the medical profession.
• Work effectively and professionally as part of the health care team.
• Relate to patients, their families, and health care personnel in a sensitive and professional manner.
• Participate effectively in physically taxing duties over long work hours, function effectively under stress, and display flexibility and adaptability to changing and uncertain environments.
• Maintain regular, reliable, and punctual attendance for classes and clinical responsibilities.
• Contribute to collaborative, constructive learning environments, accept constructive feedback from others, and respond with appropriate modification.