Curriculum

Students study basic medical sciences subjects in addition to mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, foreign languages (English, German, French), and humanities and social sciences.

In 1994, this was launched as a pioneering nationwide program for students to experience medical settings early after entering the School of Medicine.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, EEP1 has been revamped to focus on deep learning about "aging" and "care," incorporating activities such as listening to the life histories of elderly people nearby, simulated experiences of being elderly, and experiences using VR (Virtual Reality).

Before beginning full-scale medical sciences studies, students learn about death—which no one can avoid—through simulation learning using VR.

The main campus for first-year students is the Hiyoshi Campus, but they attend lectures at the Shinanomachi Campus only on Wednesday afternoons. They study Molecular Biology I, Anatomy and Embryology, and Introduction to Medical Sciences.

There are opportunities to hear from doctors and researchers active as top runners in medical sciences and healthcare, as well as opportunities for students to choose themes they want to study and learn in small study groups.

Students learn about cultural diversity regarding health, illness, and healthcare from the perspective of medical anthropology, and communication techniques from the perspective of psychology.

Specialized medical sciences education begins in earnest at the Shinanomachi Campus, where students study basic medical sciences.

Students study basic and social medical sciences subjects. From the second semester, they also study clinical medicine such as internal medicine and surgery.

This has been implemented since 1989 as a curriculum where medical students themselves engage in research actively and proactively. It is Japan's first unique initiative where medical students and faculty conduct research one-on-one, and it is a major feature of education at this School of Medicine. Since this is research rather than a practical training exercise, it is not predicated on everything going well. Preparing by oneself. Failing. Finding ways to improve. Consulting others. Through such a process, it serves as an opportunity to touch upon the complexity and mystery of life and to experience Keio University's philosophy of jitsugaku (science).

For students who entered in 2021, they are assigned to laboratories in July, September, and October of their third year to conduct research activities one-on-one with faculty members.

Including the summer vacation, students can immerse themselves in research for four months. Research stays are possible not only in on-campus laboratories but also at external facilities in Japan and overseas.

As a follow-up to EEP-1, since 2018 students have experienced medical settings at clinics and hospitals around the Kanto region to learn perspectives on viewing residents, patients, and the community.

Students learn about the diverse cultural backgrounds and human behavioral characteristics required in medical settings, and study approaches to behavior change.

Students study clinical medicine and social medical sciences subjects to prepare for clinical clerkships.

In the second semester of the 4th year, students finally acquire the skills and attitudes and integrate their knowledge to perform clinical clerkships through the Introduction to Clinical Clerkship.

Students solve multiple-choice questions randomly selected for each examinee from a pool of over 30,000 questions to evaluate whether they have sufficient knowledge before clinical clerkships.

This is a practical examination that evaluates basic clinical competencies such as medical interviewing, physical examination, and procedures to assess whether students have sufficient skills and attitudes before clinical clerkships.

At the Keio University School of Medicine, the White Coat Ceremony is held in the third semester of the 4th year, when clinical clerkships begin.

Clinical clerkships begin at Keio University Hospital and other affiliated teaching hospitals.

Clinical clerkships are conducted from the third semester of the 4th year through the second semester of the 6th year. In these clerkships, students are divided into small groups to rotate through various departments and interact directly with patients.

Students continue to learn through clinical clerkships following the 5th year.

Clinical clerkships are conducted from the third semester of the 4th year through the second semester of the 6th year. In these clerkships, students are divided into small groups to rotate through various departments and interact directly with patients.

This is a practical examination that comprehensively evaluates the examination, diagnosis, and presentation skills learned during clinical clerkships to assess whether students possess sufficient knowledge, skills, and attitudes at the time of graduation.

Students take the National Examination for Medical Practitioners in February of their 6th year.