Curriculum

HMS is a wonderful place to learn medicine, not only because of our amazing faculty, students, staff, and alumni, our unparalleled research program, and our incredible affiliated teaching hospitals, but because of the many pathways students can take during their educational journeys with us.

Bernard Chang, MD

Dean for Medical Education

Curriculum Overview

The MD Program at Harvard Medical School comprises two curricular tracks, Pathways and Health Sciences & Technology (HST).

Pathways incorporates pedagogical approaches that foster active learning and critical thinking, earlier clinical experience, advanced clinical and basic/population science experiences, and a scholarly project that enables every student to plan an individual pathway to the MD degree.

HST is offered jointly by HMS and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and is oriented toward students with a declared interest in a career in biomedical research or a strong interest and background in physical or molecular science. The HST curriculum is designed to emphasize basic and quantitative understanding of modern biomedical sciences and pathophysiologic processes and a fundamental approach to important concepts in modern biology and biotechnology.

Watch: Bernard Chang, Dean for Medical Education, shares a brief overview of the many routes through Harvard Medical School's MD Program. Video: HMS Media Services

More about the Curriculum

An MD student practices with a stethoscope on a pediatric patient in the Clinical Skills Center.
Learn about Pathways
Four students engaged in learning in an HST classroom.
Learn about HST
Students and faculty round together, donning medical gowns and face masks.
Academic Calendars

Dates & curriculum maps

Course and Examination Requirements for the MD Degree