Curriculum Overview
The School of Medicine launches its new curriculum, Translational Education at Carolina 2.0 (TEC 2.0), in August 2023. TEC 2.0 engages students in the art and science of medicine through integrated basic science and clinical skills content and longitudinal patient care experiences. The educational experience is designed to
- train physicians who are team players who can navigate change and innovation fluently;
- foster the development of students as adaptive learners who will continue to be life-long, self-directed learners; and
- promote belonging and engagement through small learning groups that foster trust, inquiry, and the development of clinical reasoning and metacognitive skills.
This redesigned curriculum reflects the ever-changing practice of medicine, maintains opportunities for early career exploration, and incorporates the learning preferences of today’s medical students.
Hear More About the TEC 2.0 Curriculum
Three Distinct Phases
Foundation Phase
The Foundation Phase is an 18-month experience that integrates the basic, clinical, and social sciences. Medical students take a variety of courses including Patient Centered Care, Social and Health Systems, and Medical Science. Foundation Phase students learn via multiple modes including small-group learning, seminars, workshops, clinical week experiences, and lecture.
More About the Foundation PhaseApplication Phase
During the Application Phase, students spend 12 months completing core clinical clerkships in psychiatry, surgery, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, internal medicine, and family medicine. Students can complete the Application Phase in one of four campus programs: Charlotte, Asheville, Wilmington and Central (Chapel Hill and surrounding areas). All Campuses have the same course objectives and assessments, but each site is characterized by a unique curricular structure incorporating varying amounts of integration, self-directed learning and longitudinal emphasis. Regardless of the campus assignment, all students will be prepared for Individualization Phase and future career endeavors.
More About the Application PhaseIndividualization Phase
The Individualization Phase of the TEC Curriculum is the third and final phase of Medical School education. During these 14 months, students will develop individual core clinical interests and skills with a focus on future career plans. Students have many options to individualize their learning experience based on their Individualized Learning Plan, their career goal interests and their unique needs for clinical skills development.
More About the Individualization Phase