Welcome to the Advanced Science Courses!

The SOM (School of Medicine) Advanced Science Courses (ASCs) include four courses which span across a 14-week timeframe (August 21, 2023-November 22, 2023) during the 2023-2024 academic year.

The four advanced Sciences Courses are:

• Advanced Immunology
• Advanced Neurosciences
• Cardiology Connections
• Global Health and Underserved Populations

These are required courses and students must complete the ASCs at one of the three campuses: Anschutz Medical Campus, Colorado Springs Branch, or Fort Collins Branch.

The ASCs clinical AND didactic portion of the courses will be entirely in person. Refer to the CU Anschutz Campus Protocols webpage for more information about current protocols related to masks, physical distancing, vaccination requirements, events, testing, and other protocols.  

The Advanced Science Courses are pass/fail. Students must meet passing expectations in each clinical outcome, on the Mid-Term and Final exam that will mainly focus on the didactic component of the course, passing the capstone project requirement, and not having any major lapses in professionalism. These items will be reviewed in detail during the day-one orientation.

Clinical Rotations: 

As in the third year, attendance on clinical rotations during the fourth year is required, too. Absences are generally not permitted, but unique circumstances may be considered.  

Specific Attendance Expectations: 

• Four-week courses: > 2 days of excused absences must be made up.  
• To request an excused absence, please contact Dean Jeff Druck in Office of Student Life and follow the procedures from the School of Medicine Policies and Procedures, also referenced below. 

Didactic Classroom Sessions: 

Attendance is mandatory for all ASC didactic sessions, including lectures, small groups, large groups, etc. Unless otherwise posted on Canvas as “optional.” 

For attendance and absence policies, refer to the MD Policies and Procedures.

A student should always follow the policies and procedures of the facility or site that they are reporting to on a given day. Please contact the affiliate/primary faculty whose facility you will be working in that day for clarification on their policies or procedures. Please contact the ASC Coordinator Nomi Poprish and the course appropriate Course Director if you are having any issues with your clinical site. 

No. The ASCs contain USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 content and offer some test preparation items. After the ASCs, students will have a dedicated study period to prepare and complete Step 1. 

Yes. Students may take both Step 1 and Step 2 exams before their Trail Immersion which begins on January 22, 2024. Please note, students must have their Step 1 exam results before taking Step 2. The CU deadline to complete Step 1 is by January 7, 2024.

• Clinical Experiences: Students will participate in advanced clinical experiences from each course every week. Students may have immersion weeks where they spend a whole week in the same clinical experience and will have integrated weeks where they spend different days at varied clinical experiences.
• Didactics: Students will attend in-person didactic sessions on Wednesdays. Students will be responsible for pre-work, Capstone project work, and other self-directed learning activities.