University of Louisville Schools of Medicine and Dentistry
Louisville, Kentucky

Overview

Be part of an academic learning community that is at the center of a diverse biomedical research and healthcare complex in downtown Louisville, Kentucky. The University of Louisville's Summer Medical & Dental Education Program (SMDEP) offers daily opportunities for rural, minority and disadvantaged undergraduates to experience how math and science are integrated into medical and dental school studies and careers. This six-week summer residential program offers participants three hours of academic credit along with free housing, meals, stipend and limited partial travel reimbursement.

The core academic activity is a three credit-hour course, Introduction to Fundamentals of Biomedical Sciences. Scholars are assigned to one of eight clusters that experience a new way of integrating and applying the basic sciences utilizing team-based medical/dental applications. Team-Based Learning focuses on providing high quality educational experiences for health sciences students to promote individualized learning within a group to maximize efficient use of instructional resources. Our professors (content experts) serve as facilitators as class time is shifted from memorizing toward applying and integrating information. Weekly academic themes are reinforced by clinical correlations as dentists and physicians demonstrate the links between basic science understanding and clinical situations. A Health Disparities Symposium will raise scholars' awareness of issues confronting medically underserved populations. Classroom activities in our Standardized Patient Center and Simulation Labs provide hands-on learning opportunities. Oral and written communication strategies are emphasized in special sessions and in all classroom and team-based learning activities.

Share a university dorm room with another student of the same gender and enjoy meals six days a week at our award-winning University Club. Experience the unique offerings of Louisville as we visit such sites as Waterfront Park and the Muhammad Ali Center. Sessions with practicing physicians, dentists, professional school admissions officers and counselors will guide each student's creation of a customized academic and career plan. SMDEP students have the option of applying (via a separate application packet available through our office) for consideration to stay an additional four weeks for our intense MCAT/DAT prep following completion of the six-week summer academic program.

Finances

• Meals: 3 meals a day, Monday-Friday, with 2 meals on Saturday at our prestigious University Club located near residence hall.

• Travel Assistance: Will be provided on a need basis with a maximum of $200 per eligible student. Eligible students must live more than 300 miles from the SMDEP site for air travel assistance and more than 100 miles away for partial reimbursement for car travel.

• Stipend: Disbursed in 3 installments (weeks 1, 3 and 6 of the program)

Living

• Housing: University of Louisville dormitory (double occupancy)

• Health Insurance: Partial health plan provided for students without health insurance

• Social Activities: Fourth of July picnic, talent show and luncheon on riverboat cruise, Muhammad Ali Center, and Waterfront Park

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