📘 Course Materials Across Academic Years (Egyptian Medicine – MBBCh)
| Year | Main Themes | Key Subjects / Modules | Skills & Competencies |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | Foundations of Basic Science | Anatomy, Histology, Physiology, Biochemistry, Intro to Genetics, Intro to Immunology, Microbiology (basics), Early System Blocks (e.g., Circulation & Breathing, Infection & Immunity, Metabolism & Nutrition) | Study skills, Medical ethics, Communication skills, Basic clinical exposure, Research intro, Medical informatics |
| Year 2 | System-Based Basic Sciences + Introduction to Disease | System blocks (GI, Endocrine, Reproductive, Musculoskeletal, Nervous), General Pathology, Pharmacology (intro), Microbiology & Parasitology (extended) | History taking (beginner), Clinical skills (basic examination), Research & Biostatistics, Public & Community Health |
| Year 3 | Transitional Year (Pre-clinical → Clinical) | Systemic Pathology, Systemic Pharmacology, Advanced Microbiology & Parasitology, Epidemiology, Research design, Environmental & Occupational Health | Full physical examination, Clinical reasoning, Short hospital attachments (Medicine, Surgery, Pediatrics, OB/GYN), Research project |
| Year 4 | Major Clinical Clerkships | Internal Medicine, Surgery, Pediatrics, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Emergency Medicine, Anesthesia & ICU, Psychiatry, Family & Community Medicine | Bedside clinical skills, Case presentation, Outpatient clinics, Ward rounds, Basic procedures, Patient safety |
| Year 5 | Specialty Clinical Rotations + Advanced Practice | Orthopedics, ENT, Ophthalmology, Dermatology, Neurology, Neurosurgery, Oncology, Infectious Diseases/Tropical Medicine, Geriatrics (varies by university), Revision modules | Advanced clinical decision-making, Clinical portfolio, OSCE/clinical exams, Community health field work, Graduation project |
📍 After Year 5
| Phase | Description |
|---|---|
| Internship (House Officer) | 2 years rotating through major specialties (Medicine, Surgery, Pediatrics, OB/GYN, Emergency, etc.) |
In Egyptian medical faculties, the “Human Medicine” / MBBCh program now follows a nationally unified structure:
- 5 academic years of study
- + 2 years compulsory internship (House Officer)
Almost all universities (Cairo, Ain Shams, Mansoura, Tanta, NGU, etc.) now use integrated, system-based moduleswith vertical integration between basic and clinical sciences.
Below is a generic schedule of course content by academic year that fits most Egyptian faculties of medicine. Names of modules differ from one university to another, but the themes and timing are very similar.
Overall phases
Phase 1 – Pre-clerkship (≈ Years 1–2.5)
- Foundations in basic biomedical sciences
- Early clinical skills + professionalism + research + community health
- System-based modules (e.g., circulation & breathing, infection & immunity, etc.) (
Phase 2 – Clerkship / Clinical (≈ Years 2.5–5)
- Full-time clinical rotations in hospitals and primary care
- Major and minor specialties (medicine, surgery, pediatrics, OB/GYN, etc.)
Phase 3 – Internship (2 years after graduation)
- Rotations across main specialties according to national internship framework.
Year-by-year schedule of typical course content
Year 1 – Foundations & Basic Systems
Main aims:
Understand normal human structure and function, get basic research and communication skills, and start early clinical exposure.
Typical modules / subjects
- Basic Biomedical Sciences (integrated):
- Early concepts in:
- System-based blocks often include:
- Introductory module (orientation, study skills, medical ethics)
- Infection & defence (basic immune + micro + host response)
- Circulation & breathing (CVS + respiratory structure & function)
- Fluids, nutrition & metabolism
- Non-cognitive / skills modules:
- Communication skills & professionalism
- Medical informatics / computer skills
- Academic English
- Research methodology (intro)
- Community & population health (intro)
Year 2 – Remaining Systems & Early Pathology
Main aims:
Finish “normal” systems, start clear linkage to disease, and strengthen clinical & research skills.
Typical modules / subjects
- System-based biomedical modules, for example:
- Musculoskeletal system
- Gastrointestinal & hepatobiliary systems
- Endocrine system
- Reproductive system
- Nervous system & special senses
- More explicit pathology / disease mechanisms:
- Horizontal modules continuing from Year 1:
- Clinical and communication skills (history taking, basic examination)
- Ethics, professionalism & patient safety
- Research methodology & biostatistics (often with a small project)
- Community medicine & health promotion (risk factors, screening, etc.)
By the end of Year 2, students are usually ready for stronger clinical exposure.
Year 3 – Transitional / Early Clinical Year
Main aims:
Bridge from basic science to full clinical work; focus on mechanisms of disease and intro to clinical specialties.
Typical content
- Pathology (system-based):
- General & systemic pathology (inflammation, neoplasia, vascular pathology, organ-specific lesions)
- Pharmacology (system-based):
- Drugs for cardiovascular, respiratory, GI, endocrine, CNS, etc.
- Microbiology & Parasitology:
- Bacteriology, virology, mycology, parasitology, infection control
- Public & Community Medicine (expanded):
- Epidemiology
- Biostatistics & research design
- Environmental & occupational health
- Introductory clinical modules:
- “Introduction to Clinical Medicine” / “Foundations of Clinical Practice”:
- Full history taking
- General & systemic physical examination
- Clinical reasoning basics
- Short early clinical attachments in:
- “Introduction to Clinical Medicine” / “Foundations of Clinical Practice”:
- Professional & research competencies:
- Small research project or audit
- Critical appraisal of literature
Year 4 – Major Clinical Rotations (Core Clerkships)
Main aims:
Work as junior members of the clinical team, applying knowledge to real patients, and mastering core disciplines.
Typical main rotations
- Internal medicine (often 10–12 weeks split among subspecialties)
- General surgery
- Pediatrics
- Obstetrics & gynecology
- Emergency medicine / critical care / anesthesia (shorter blocks)
- Psychiatry & behavioral medicine
- Family & community medicine (primary care exposure)
Clinical teaching is usually full-time at university and affiliated hospitals: ward rounds, outpatient clinics, on-calls, seminars, skills labs, and case-based discussions.
Year 5 – Specialty & Advanced Clinical Rotations
Main aims:
Consolidate skills in core specialties, cover the smaller specialties, and prepare for national licensing and internship.
Typical clinical blocks
- Specialties / sub-specialties:
- Orthopedics & trauma
- Ophthalmology
- ENT
- Dermatology & venereology
- Neurology & neurosurgery
- Oncology, radiotherapy & palliative care
- Tropical / infectious diseases (in some universities)
- Geriatric medicine & rehabilitation (in some universities)
- Reinforcement / advanced rotations in:
- Community & public health rotation:
- Field visits, primary health care units, health education projects
- Capstone components:
- Research / graduation project or portfolio
- OSCE/OSPE-based comprehensive clinical exams
- Revision modules for national knowledge outcomes
Study load and semester structure (typical pattern)
While details vary by university, some common structural points:
- The program is organized as semesters and credit points; for example, at Cairo University:
- Around 1800–2000 contact hours per year, with 30 hours ≈ 1 credit point.
- Many faculties use 15-week teaching semesters (plus 2 weeks exams) in both clinical and pre-clinical phases.
- Each module has:
- Defined ILOs (intended learning outcomes),
- Mix of lectures, PBL / TBL, skills labs, and clinical exposure.
How much does it differ between universities?
- Core content is standardized nationally by the Supreme Council of Universities and NAQAAE; all graduates must meet the same national competency framework.
- But:
- Module names, order, and teaching methods (traditional vs PBL, Manchester-style, etc.) can differ (e.g. Mansoura-Manchester program vs Cairo vs Ain Shams).
Explore available Egyptian medical universities
