Curriculum and plan of studies
This is an overview of the curriculum and general plan of studies for the scholarship program at the Latin American School of Medicine in Havana, Cuba.
Pre-med preparatory semester(s)
- Placement exams in basic sciences (biology, chemistry, organic chemistry, physics) and Spanish language
- One or two semesters of preparatory classes in basic sciences and Spanish language, according to individual students’ needs and placement levels
- 12-week intensive course in Spanish language for students who need it
Years I and II: Basic medical sciences
(students are in residence on the campus of the Latin American School of Medicine)
1st and 2nd Semesters
Morphophysiology -- an integrative first-year basic sciences curriculum which includes:
- Anatomy I and II
- Histology I and II
- The Human Body
- Cellular and Molecular Biology
- The Nervous System
- The Endocrine and Reproductive Systems
- Physiology I
- Embryology I
History and Medicine I and II
Physical Education I and II
Medical Information Sciences/Computing I
Practicum placements in a regional policlinic and a family doctor's neighborhood clinic
3rd Semester
- Metabolism, Nutrition, and Excretion
- The Circulatory and Respiratory Systems
- The Urinary and Digestive Systems, Nutrition and Caloric Consumption
- Anatomy III
- Histology III
- Embryology II
- Physiology II
- Pharmacology I
- Legal Medicine and Medical Ethics
- Behavioral Sciences I
- Physical Education III
- Tissues/Nutrition/Biochemistry (two-week intensive course)
4th Semester
- Pathological Anatomy
- Biological Agents
- Medical Psychology I
- Introduction to Clinical Practice
- Behavioral Sciences II
- Physical Education IV
- Medical Information Sciences/Computing II
Years III - VI: Clinical studies
(students are in residence at one of Cuba’s 21 accredited medical schools, in Havana City or in other provinces; starting in the fifth semester, they begin to follow patients on the hospital ward where they are assigned.)
5th Semester
- Clinical Methods
- Techniques of Clinical Diagnosis/Signs and Symptoms (Clinical Laboratory and Diagnostic Imagery)
- Medical Psychology II
6th Semester
- Internal Medicine
- Clinical Pharmacology
- Medical Information Sciences/Computing II
7th Semester
Clinical practicum rotations in
- Comprehensive General Medicine
- General Surgery
- Gynecology and Obstetrics
8th Semester
Clinical practicum rotations in
- Sanology
- Pediatrics
9th Semester
Clinical practicum rotations in
- Public Health
- Comprehensive General Medicine
- Psychiatry
- Update in Therapeutic Techniques
10th Semester
Clinical practicum rotations in
- Orthopedics and Traumatology
- Urology
- Otorhinolaryngology (ENT)
- Ophthalmology
- Dermatology
- Legal Medicine and Medical Ethics
11th and 12th Semesters
Pre-professional clinical internship, with rotations in
- Internal Medicine
- Pediatrics
- Gynecology and Obstetrics
- Surgery
- Comprehensive General Medicine
Please contact IFCO for application forms or additional information
- For an overview of the program, please click here >
- To request an application or additional information, please use the Medical School Program's contact form >
