International Foundation Programme for Medicine IFP course

Students take modules in Chemistry and Biology or Psychology. They are shown the process of how to prepare for lectures and write up lecture notes, and how to prepare for seminars and tutorials. All students have dedicated tutorial support in understanding the course content from specialist tutors in Chemistry and Biology or Psychology. In addition, there are practical laboratory sessions.

Students must take the following compulsory modules in Semester 1:

Compulsory modules

• Foundations for Medicine 1: This module focuses on academic research and writing skills along with seminar and project skills. Students also have sessions on effective communication and attend workshops with simulated and real patients in the School of Medicine.

• Introductory Inorganic and Physical Chemistry: This module covers the origin of the elements, atoms and the Periodic Table, shapes and properties of molecules, chemistry of the elements, properties of solutions, thermochemistry, thermodynamics and kinetics.

Students must also take one of the following two optional modules:

Other modules

Alongside the compulsory modules, students further develop their science knowledge by studying one of the following modules. What they study will depend on whether or not they have studied on the Pathway to Medicine programme before joining the IFPM:

• Biology 1: introduces students to molecular and cellular biology. It covers cell diversity and the origins of life, cellular structures and fundamental processes.

• Psychology 1: introduces students to the theoretical foundations, historical perspectives and modern developments of psychology; provides an introduction to the variety of subjects which make up contemporary psychology; provides a thorough grounding in the empirical basis of psychology.

In Semester 2, students prepare for their move on to the Medicine degree.

Compulsory modules

• Foundations for Medicine 2: builds on the skills studied in Semester 1 to enhance confidence and competence in communication. In semester 2, students will also have a series of lectures introducing them to important themes in Medicine. These are delivered by staff from the School of Medicine.

• Human Biology: This module takes a ‘systems approach’, similar to the School of Medicine. Students will study all the key physiological systems within the topic areas, with an overarching focus on how disease affects these systems.

Other modules

Alongside the compulsory modules, students further develop their science knowledge by studying one of the following optional modules. What they study will depend on whether or not they have studied on the Pathway to Medicine programme before joining the IFPM:

• Organic and Biological Chemistry 1: includes lectures on the structure, stereochemistry and nomenclature of simple organic compounds, fundamental organic reaction mechanisms, organic functional groups and their reactions, introductory bioorganic chemistry, and organic spectroscopy.

• Psychology 2: provides an introduction to the theoretical foundations, historical perspectives and modern developments of psychology; provides an introduction to the variety of subjects which make up contemporary psychology; provides a thorough grounding in the empirical basis of psychology.

To prepare for the multiple mini interviews (MMIs) held by the School of Medicine in Semester 2, there will be workshops on the various interview stations so that students can develop their interview skills and MMI performance. Students also study medical ethics in order to transition into first-year medicine with an understanding of how medical ethics link to clinical practice and medical professionalism.