Areas of Concentration
The Area of Concentration program at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine offers the opportunity for students to pursue, in depth, an area of personal interest over their four years of medical school. This is accomplished with a series of longitudinal, elective experiences which supplement the required core curriculum. These para-curricular education tracks provide an opportunity for interested students to explore a potential career plan and uniquely enhance their medical education. The knowledge, skills, and attitudes gained from participating in an AOC will allow students to participate in the education of fellow classmates and develop a specialized expertise. Because of the intensity of study, the School of Medicine recognizes successful completion of the program by granting a certificate. In addition, an AOC may be used to meet the Scholarly Project graduation requirement.
Each AOC draws from the following core elements:
Content and didactic material, including journal clubs, literature review, national meeting participation, syllabus, and reading lists, etc.
Faculty mentorship.
Experimental component.
Preparation of a scholarly project, often including presentation at a local or national forum.
Evaluation of student participants
