Rocket Medicine
Launching into the future of medical education
The University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences implemented a major curriculum change with emphasis on competency-based curriculum with early clinical experience and seamless integration of foundational and clinical sciences to support our students development as life long master adaptive learners who will be ready to navigate a rapidly changing healthcare landscape.
KEY ASPECTS OF THE NEW CURRICULUM
- Systems-based foundational sciences with clinical integration
- Greater emphasis on clinical reasoning and clinical skills in all four years
- Utilization of more innovative educational methods/approaches
- Focus on interprofessional education, patient safety and career development
Sections: Integrated Curriculum | E-Learning | Important Dates | Contact Us
Integrated Curriculum
- System based learning
- Systems grouped into “Threads” to facilitate progressive learning
- Incorporation of different educational methods (E-Modules; Active learning sessions; Team Based Learning; Simulation; etc.)
- Focus on clinically relevant material and application with collaboration between clinicians and foundational science faculty
- More emphasis on clinical medicine preparation & skills
- Early clinical experience
e-Learning
Watch a video montage of the e-learning modules available to students, as part of the new curriculum:
Important Dates*
2024-2025 School Year
*Subject to change.
Rising M2 – Class of 2027
- Thread 3: CVRP Begins: Wednesday, July 17, 2024
Building Foundations (BFUN): July 17 - August 22
CardioRenal (CARN): August 26 - September 26
CardioPulmonary (CARP): September 30 - October 21
Thread 3: Exam Week / Thread 3 Ends: Tuesday, October 22 – Thursday, October 24, 2024 - Thread 4: Cycles and Vices Begins: Tuesday, October 29, 2024
Gastrointestinal: October 29 - December 13
Reproductive: December 16 - December 20
Repro/Endo: January 8 - February 12
Thread 4: Exam Week/ Thread 4 Ends: Thursday, February 13 – Friday, February 14, 2025 - **M2 Winter Break: December 21, 2024 – January 7, 2025
- USMLE STEP 1 Prep: Monday, February 17 – Friday, April 11
Two Qualifier NBME Opportunities: February 21, 2025 and March 7, 2025
M2s chose 1 required in-person qualifying exam
USMLE Step 1 Exam Deadline: Friday, April 11, 2025 - Bridge-to-Clerkships: Monday, April 14 – Friday, April 25, 2025
Rising M1 – Class of 2028
- Orientation: Wednesday, July 24 – Friday, July 26, 2024 (more information)
Classes Begin: Monday, July 29, 2024 - Thread 1: Cellular Disease Begins: Monday, July 29, 2024
Human Blueprint: July 29 – September 6
Immunity: September 9 – September 27
Infectious Disease: September 30 – November 1
Hematology/Oncology: November 4 – December 9
Thread 1: Exam Week/ Thread 1 Ends: Tuesday, December 10 – Friday, December 13, 2024 - **M1 Winter Break: December 17, 2024 – January 5, 2025
- Thread 2: Bones/Neuro/Behavior Begins: Monday, January 6, 2025
Neurology: January 6 – February 24
Musculoskeletal: February 26 – April 11
Behavioral Science and Psychiatric Medicine: April 14 – May 13
Thread 2: Exam Week/ Thread 2 Ends: Wednesday, May 14 – Friday, May 16, 2025 - Summer Break: Saturday, May 17 - Tuesday, July 15, 2025
Wellness/Holidays
Labor Day: Monday, September 2, 2024
Veterans Day: Friday, November 11, 2024
Thanksgiving / Fall Break: Monday, November 25 – Friday, November 29, 2024
Martin Luther King Jr. Day: Monday, January 20, 2025
**M1 and M2 students have staggered 2024 Winter Breaks
***Please note there may be additional breaks between systems or threads***
Veterans Day: Friday, November 11, 2024
Thanksgiving / Fall Break: Monday, November 25 – Friday, November 29, 2024
Martin Luther King Jr. Day: Monday, January 20, 2025
**M1 and M2 students have staggered 2024 Winter Breaks
***Please note there may be additional breaks between systems or threads***
2025-2026 School Year
*Subject to change.
Rising M2 – Class of 2028
- Thread 3: CVRP Begins: Wednesday, July 16, 2025
Building Foundations (BFUN): July 16 - August 22
CardioRenal (CARN): August 25 - September 26
CardioPulmonary (CARP): September 29 - October 24
Thread 3: Exam Week / Thread 3 Ends: Monday, October 20 - Friday, October 24, 2025 - Thread 4: Cycles and Vices Begins: Monday, October 27, 2025
Gastrointestinal: October 27 - December 11
Reproductive Anatomy: December 12 - December 19
Repro/Endo: January 5 - February 20
Thread 4: Exam Week/ Thread 4 Ends: Monday, February 16 - Friday, February 20, 2026 - **M2 Winter Break: December 20, 2025 - January 4, 2026
- USMLE STEP 1 Prep: Monday, February 23 - Friday, April 10, 2026
Two Qualifier NBME Opportunities: TBD
M2s chose 1 required in-person qualifying exam
USMLE Step 1 Exam Deadline to start clerkship on 5/4/2026: Friday, April 10, 2026 - Bridge-to-Clerkships: Monday, April 20 – Friday, May 1, 2026
Rising M1 – Class of 2029
- Orientation: Wednesday, July 23– Friday, July 25, 2025 (more information)
Classes Begin: Monday, July 28, 2025 - Thread 1: Cellular Disease Begins: Monday, July 28, 2025
Human Blueprint: July 28 – September 12
Immunity: September 15 – October 3
Infectious Disease: October 6 – November 7
Hematology/Oncology: November 10 – December 19
Thread 1: Exam Week/ Thread 1 Ends: Monday, December 15 – Friday, December 19, 2025 - **M1 Winter Break: December 20, 2025 – January 4, 2026
- Thread 2: Bones/Neuro/Behavior Begins: Monday, January 5, 2026
Neuroscience in Health and Disease: January 5 – February 20
Musculoskeletal: February 23 – April 10
Behavioral Science and Psychiatric Medicine: April 13 – May 15
Thread 2: Exam Week/ Thread 2 Ends: Monday, May 11 – Friday May 15, 2026 - Summer Break: TBD
Wellness/Holidays
Labor Day: Monday, September 1, 2025
Veterans Day: Tuesday, November 11, 2025
Thanksgiving / Fall Break: Wednesday, November 26 – Friday, November 28, 2025
Martin Luther King Jr. Day: Monday, January 19, 2026
***Please note there may be additional breaks between systems or threads***
Veterans Day: Tuesday, November 11, 2025
Thanksgiving / Fall Break: Wednesday, November 26 – Friday, November 28, 2025
Martin Luther King Jr. Day: Monday, January 19, 2026
***Please note there may be additional breaks between systems or threads***
Last updated 04/03/2025
Contact Us
Catherine Van Hook, M.D.
Associate Dean for Foundational Sciences
Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
catherine.vanhook@utoledo.edu
Jamie Daughton
Director of Undergraduate Medical Education
419.383.4458 | Jamie.Daughton@utoledo.edu
Kristin McKeown, B.A.
Education Coordinator, Class of 2027
419.383.4429| Kristin.McKeown@utoledo.edu
Lindsay Ferguson, B.S.
Education Coordinator, Class of 2029
419.383.4407| Lindsay.Ferguson@utoledo.edu
Erin Muenter
Education Coordinator, Class of 2028
419.383.6452| erin.muenter@utoledo.edu