GEMS Program Curriculum

Georgetown University School of Medicine offers an Integrated, 18-Month Medical Journeys’ Curriculum, creating enhanced interdisciplinary learning of the basic sciences (anatomy, biochemistry, physiology, pathology, pharmacology and microbiology) and application to the clinical sciences and doctoring skills competencies.

The GEMS curriculum provides students an opportunity to demonstrate competency in selected portions of the medical school curriculum while simultaneously enriching academic skills and learning strategies essential to success in medical education. GEMS students who competitive complete the post-baccalaureate program may be considered for interview at Georgetown School of Medicine, and if admitted, will complete the entire Journey’s curriculum without exemption from any course or elective.

INTERDISCIPLINARY MEDICAL SCIENCE I (GEMS 402-06, 2CR)

In this required elective, students will demonstrate competency in critical thinking and problem-solving skills through use of collaborative learning strategies in mastery of basic science content in Histology, Embryology, and Biochemistry.  

INTERDISCIPLINARY MEDICAL SCIENCE II (GEMS 407-06, 2CR)

In this required elective, students will demonstrate competency in critical thinking and problem-solving skills through use of collaborative learning strategies in mastery of basic science content in Gross Anatomy and Physiology.

FUNDAMENTALS OF BIOCHEMISTRY (GEMS 408-06, 4 CR)

In this graduate course, students will describe biologic action by learning the logic of chemistry with respect to biomolecular structure, function and regulation, and the fundamental concepts of pH, biological buffers, bioenergetics, nucleotides, amino acids, proteins, enzymes, carbohydrates, lipids, intermediary metabolism and the central dogma of the human genome.

SELECTED TOPICS IN PHYSIOLOGY (GEMS 403-06, 2CR)

In this required elective, students will demonstrate competency in foundational concepts in systems physiology through self-directed learning resources and quiz assessments via the Canvas technology platform, and “flipped learning” activities (student directed versus faculty directed classroom sessions).

INTERDISCIPLINARY MEDICAL SCIENCE III (GEMS 416-11, 2CR)

In this required elective, students will demonstrate competency in critical thinking and problem-solving skills through use of collaborative learning strategies in mastery of basic science content in Pathophysiology.

EXPLORATION OF ISSUES IN HEALTH CARE I (GEMS 405-06, 2CR)

In this required elective, students will demonstrate knowledge of current issues in health care, domestic and global, through a 2-Hour professional presentation to faculty and peers from an approved list of topics.  

MEDICAL CARDIOVASCULAR BIOLOGY (GEMS-506, 3CR)

This medical course provides students with a comprehensive view of cardiovascular physiology, anatomy, histology, embryology, including hemodynamic function, and electrophysiology of the normal cardiovascular system, and in-depth study of the pathophysiology of cardiovascular diseases including cardiomyopathies, valvular heart disease, ischemic heart disease, vascular diseases, and congenital heart disease in addition to an understanding of basic respiratory pathophysiology and its application to patient care. This course combines, lectures with problem-solving workshops, clinical correlations, student-directed learning, gross anatomy non-cadaveric labs, and small group sessions.

MEDICAL RESPIRATORY AND RENAL BIOLOGY (GEMS-507, 3CR)

This medical course provides students with a comprehensive view of the physiology, anatomy, histology and embryology of the normal respiratory and renal systems, and study of the pathophysiology of respiratory and renal diseases including obstructive disease, lung cancer, glomerular, interstitial and vascular renal disease, in addition to an understanding of basic respiratory pathophysiology and its application to patient care. This course combines, lectures with problem-solving workshops, clinical correlations, student-directed learning, gross anatomy non-cadaveric labs, and small group sessions.

MEDICAL GASTROINTESTINAL BIOLOGY (GEMS-508, 3CR)

This medical course will help students identify how GI structure (Embryology, Microscopic Anatomy and Gross Anatomy) integrates with function (physiologic mechanisms of GI motility, digestion and absorption, and liver and pancreatic function). Students will describe the mechanisms contributing to absorption of nutrients into the body and apply their basic medical science knowledge to clinical problem-solving. This course combines lectures with problem-solving workshops, clinical correlations, student-directed learning, and gross anatomy non-cadaveric labs.

FUNDAMENTALS OF PATHOLOGY & PHARMACOLOGY (GEMS-568, 4CR) 

This graduate course will cover the fundamental mechanisms of disease, immune response, and the science of how drugs act on biological systems. Topic domains will complement the basic science principles (Anatomy, Biochemistry and Physiology) taught in the Medical Cardiovascular, Respiratory, Renal and Gastrointestinal modules.

EXPLORATION OF ISSUES IN HEALTH CARE II (GEMS 414-11, 2CR)

In this required elective, students will demonstrate knowledge of current issues in health care, domestic and global, through a 2-Hour professional presentation to faculty and peers from an approved list of topics.

GEMS is an experimental program and is subject to change at the discretion of the Committee on Medical Education and Dean of School of Medicine. Application and program requirements may change from year to year.

Although the majority of students who have successfully completed the GEMS Program have been offered an acceptance to Georgetown University School of Medicine (GUSOM), GEMS students are not guaranteed an opportunity to interview or an acceptance offer if interviewed. 

Students admitted in the GEMS Class of 2024-2025 are not required to apply to or matriculate into  Georgetown University School of Medicine.

Georgetown University admits qualified students of any age, sex, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, and national and ethnic origin to all rights and privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, sexual orientation, race, handicap, color, religion or national or ethnic origin in administration of educational policies, admissions, policies, scholarship and loan programs and athletic and other school administered programs.

Inquiries about Affirmative Action-Equal Opportunity may be addressed to Affirmative Action Programs, 3800 Reservoir Rd., NW, Room M36 Darnall Hall, Georgetown University, Washington, DC 20007. (202-687-4798) Georgetown University is also an Affirmative Action – Equal Opportunity employer.

Note: An application to Georgetown School of Medicine is not required for an application to the GEMS Program. The admissions committees and procedures are completely separate, and admissions records cannot be transferred between programs.