Electives for Medical Students

The Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science places a strong emphasis on education and mentoring at every level.

The One-month Basic Medical Student Clinical Elective has been the most popular elective in the School Of Medicine for 10 years, and introduces students to Imaging both as potential future consultants and as potential future residents. The required textbook is provided as a loaner and the students have a dedicated educational space and access to computers. Students spend one or two half-days a week out in the various Divisions seeing how studies are obtained, how patient care is delivered, and attending read-outs and teaching sessions. The Basic Elective course emphasizes not only the usual basics of interpretation and identifying urgent or life-threatening findings, but also emphasizes appropriate medical language and comportment, interview skills, reviews for the US Medical Licensing Exams (USMLEs), and advice on the National Residency Match process. Approximately 30-40 faculty and residents participate in teaching monthly. Students also get instruction in the essentials of organizing and presenting educational information, giving a brief PowerPoint presentation near the end of the course.

Students wishing a more advanced or subspecialized experience often elect a Radiology Sub-specialty Observership, a second month on Interventional Radiology, Pediatrics, MSK, or with a specific mentor/faculty. Second months usually involve research opportunities.