Oxford University Science courses (medicine)

Medicine at Oxford

It is a special and important feature of the Oxford course that you must take an honours degree In theory this may be taken in any subject, but in practice the subject that fits in most conveniently with medical studies is Physiological Sciences By pursuing Physiology and related subjects to Honours level, you gain an insight into the scientific study of bodily functions in health and disease, and become familiar with techniques used in medical research Exceptionally, you may choose another Honour School instead, such as PPP (Psychology, Philosophy .Physiology - of which Psychology and Physiology are usually taken) If you elect to take an Honour School other than Physiological Sciences, you will usually be required to devote an extra year to your preclinical work The usual length of the medical course for then who do both their preclinical and clinical training at Oxford is five years and ten months

Before starting the course, a student must have a good knowledge of science. The University provides Qualifying Examinations in Zoology and in Chemistry and Physics for exceptional candidates accepted with incomplete qualifications in these subjects These examinations are taken, if necessary, during the first term of the preclinical course.

The Medical School is required by the Higher Education Funding Council to limit tin number of overseas medical students to seven each year Overseas candidates must be available for interview in the December preceding the proposed year of entry All medical students are required to undertake BCG. Rubella and Hepatitis В vaccination prior to entry. In the case of Hepatitis В freedom from carrier status must be demonstrated; failing that, the course cannot be entered.

The Course

The preclinical course begins in October and normally lasts for three yean (nine terms) It consists during the first three terms of courses of study leading to examinations in Part I of the first BM Examination in (a) "Morphology, Reproduction and Development" which covers the gross and microscopical anatomy of the human body and the reproductive and developmental processes, (b) "Physiology and Pharmacology" which deals with the basic physiology of the human body, and (c) "Biochemistry¹' which covers the bask biochemistry, structure and function of ceils and micro-organisms and includes an introduction to genetics You follow a couse Elementary Statistics in the first year

During the fourth and fifth terms you take integrated courses m (a) "Systems of the Body" concentrating on the overall physiological, pharmacological, and endocrinological control of the body processes, (b) "Neural, Behavioural, and Neuroendocrine Systems" which includes neuroanatomy, neurophysjotogy, neuropharmacology, neuroeodocrinology, and physiology, and (c) "Pathology and Medical Genetics" which explores the basic mechanisms underlying disease processes, microbial pathogenicity and body defence, and the application of genetic anasysis to human disease. You should be aware that some practical studies involving living animal tissue are an obligatory component of the course At the end of this tune Part II of the First BM Examination is taken You may also take a course and Qualifying Examination in Medical Sociology. Thisis compulsory if you wish to go to other medical schools for your clinical training, most (e.g Cambridge and London, but not Oxford) require this qualification. Throughout the course the syllabus is based on a new, clinically related core defining essential knowledge

After the First BM four further terms are usually spent in study at a more advanced level leading to the Honour School of Physiological Sciences During this period there is opportunity to specialize, since you may choose a combination of subjects which particularly interest you. You will be required to take a general paper in Physiological Sciences You may also present a dissertation based on either experimental work or library studyof one written paper m the Final Examination. A wide range of dissertation subjects is offered in many University and hospital departments.

All students apply to the clinical school of their choice during their final preclinical year The Oxford Clinical School selects its annual intake of 104 students by open competition amongst applicants with Honours degrees from Oxford and other preclinical schools

Typically, just over half of our students remain in Oxford, and there are sufficient places for the remainder in clinical schools elsewhere The few students who are not successful in their initial clinical applications are considered in a "clearing" exercise by Oxford. Cambridge, and the London schools. Although the Oxford Clinicaldoes not guarantee admission to Oxford preclinical students, the selection procedure normally ensures that all find clinical places somewhere and the Medical School makes every effort to achieve this aim

The Clinical School is centred on the John Radcliffe Hospital, with teaching and research also carried out in general and specialist units at the other Oxford hospitals Opportunities are also provided for clinical experience to be obtained in district general hospitals within and outside the Oxford region. On the successful completion of the course you qualify for the degrees of Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (BM BCh) and. when the degrees have been conferred, you are eligible for provisional registration by the General Medical Council as a medical practitioner

ENGLISH PEOPLE AS THEY ARE

Travelling to all comers of the world gas easier and easier We live in a global village, but how well do we know and understand each other?

When the European Community began to increase in size, several guidebooks appeared giving advice on international etiquette At first many people trough this was a joke, especially the British, who seemed to assume that the widespread understanding of their language meant a corresponding understanding of English customs. Very soon they had to change their ideas, as they realized that they had a lot to learn about how to behave with their foreign friends

One of the most striking features of English life is the self-discipline and courtesy of people of аи classes. There is little noisy behaviour, and practically no loud disputing in the street. People do not rush excitedly for seats is buses or trains, but take their seats in queues at bus stops in a quiet and orderly manner.

Englishmen are naturally polite and never tired of saying "Thank you," I’m sorry, "Beg your pardon." If you follow anyone who is entering a building or a room, he will hold a door open for you. Many foreigners have commented on the remarkable politeness of the English people.

English people don't like displaying their emotions even in dangerous and tragic situations, and ordinary people seem to remain good-tempered and cheerful under difficulties.

The Englishman does not like any boasting or showing off in manners, dress and speech. Sometimes he conceals his knowledge, a linguist, for example, may not mention his undemanding of a foreign language

The Englishman prefers his own house to an apartment in a block of flats, because he doesn’t wish his doing to be overlooked by his neighbours "An Englishman's house is his castle"

Many Englishmen are very good to their wives at home. They help their wives in many ways They clean the windows when they are at home on Saturday afternoon. They often wash up the dishes after supper in the evening.

Sunday is a very quiet day in London. All the shops are dosed, and so are the theatres and most of the cinemas. Londoners like to get out of town on Sundays. The sea is not far -only fifty or sixty miles away and people like to go down to the sea in summer or somewhere to the country for skiing in water

VOCABULARY

courtesy [kə:təsi] вежливость

rush спешка

queue [kju ] очередь

jump the queue проходить без очереди

good-tempered добродушный, уравновешенный

boast | хвастаться

conceal [kən si:l] скрывать

etiquette ['etiket] этикет

assume [ə sju: m] допускать, предполагать