Rocket Medicine
Launching into the future of medical education
The University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences provides a competency-based curriculum with early clinical experience and seamless integration of foundational and clinical sciences to support the development of lifelong master adaptive learners who will be ready to navigate a rapidly and everchanging healthcare landscape.
KEY ASPECTS OF THE CURRICULUM
- Systems-based foundational sciences with clinical integration
- Early introduction to clinical care through the Integrated Clinical Experience (ICE)
- Greater emphasis on clinical reasoning and clinical skills in all four years
- Utilization of innovative educational methods
- Focus on interprofessional education, patient safety and career development
- Continued assessment and improvement of the curriculum
Sections: Integrated Curriculum | Important Dates | Contact Us
Integrated Curriculum
- System based learning
- Systems grouped into “Threads” to facilitate progressive learning
- Incorporation of different educational methods (Active learning; Team Based Learning; Case-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
Important Dates*
2026-2027 School Year
*Subject to change.
Rising M2 – Class of 2029
- Thread 3: ECOS Begins: Monday, July 13, 2026
Building Foundations (BFUN): July 13 – August 20
CardioRenal (CARN): August 24 - September 24
CardioPulmonary (CARP): September 28 - October 19
Thread 3: Exam Week / Thread 3 Ends: Monday, October 19 - Friday, October 23, 2026 - Thread 4: Cycles and Vices Begins: Monday, October 26, 2026
Gastrointestinal: October 26 - December 11
Reproductive Anatomy: Monday, December 14 - Friday, December 19, 2026 (There will be required in-person sessions the duration of this week, culiminating with an exam on Friday, December 19, 2026).
Repro/Endo: January 4 – February 19
Thread 4: Exam Week / Thread 4 Ends: Monday, February 15 – Friday, February 19, 2027 - **M2 Winter Break: December 21, 2026 - January 3, 2027
- USMLE STEP 1 Prep: Monday, February 22 - Friday, April 9, 2027
Two Qualifier NBME Opportunities: TBD
M2s chose 1 required in-person qualifying exam
USMLE Step 1 Exam Deadline to start clerkship on time: Friday, April 9, 2027 - Spring Break: April 12 - April 18, 2027
- Bridge-to-Clerkships: Monday, April 19– Friday, April 30, 2027
Rising M1 – Class of 2030
- Orientation: Wednesday, July 22– Friday, July 24, 2026 (more information)
Classes Begin: Monday, July 27, 2026 - Thread 1: Cellular Disease Begins: Monday, July 27, 2026
Human Blueprint: July 27 – September 9
Research/Biostatistics: September 10 – September 18
Immunity: September 21 – October 9
Infectious Disease: October 13 – November 12
Hematology/Oncology: November 13 – December 11
Thread 1: Exam Week / Thread 1 Ends: Monday, December 14 – Friday, December 18, 2026 - **M1 Winter Break: December 21, 2026 – January 3, 2027
- Thread 2: Bones/Neuro/Behavior Begins: Monday, January 4, 2027
Neuroscience in Health and Disease: January 4 - February 19
Musculoskeletal: February 22 - April 9
Behavioral Science and Psychiatric Medicine: April 12 - May 7
Thread 2: Exam Week / Thread 2 Ends: Monday, May 10 – Friday May 14, 2027 - Summer Break: TBD
Wellness/Holidays
Labor Day: Monday, September 7, 2026
Veterans Day: Wednesday, November 11, 2026
Thanksgiving / Fall Break: Thursday, November 26 – Friday, November 27, 2026
Martin Luther King Jr. Day: Monday, January 18, 2027
***Please note there may be additional breaks between systems or threads***
Last updated 02/27/2026
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, Scholarly Pathways of Excellence
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