Medical Student Opportunities

This class is a prerequisite for advanced dermatological study. It provides fundamental education of skin diseases and skin cancers during clinical study. Students see patients and make diagnoses at one of three affiliated hospitals, as well as participate in weekly didactic conferences in the department. Working directly in a clinical setting allows students to gain first-hand knowledge in appropriate dermatological terminology and descriptions; diagnoses and laboratory diagnostic procedures; therapeutic management for common skin disorders; surgical techniques; and the relationship of skin disease and systematic illness.

Similar to its required preceptorship course, this class is a course offered in a clinical setting for medical students interested in pursuing dermatology as a career. This class provides students the opportunity to generate differential diagnoses, diagnostic tests, and management plans for common dermatological conditions to gain exposure to subspecialties in dermatology. Students will participate in patient discussions, clinical presentations, and resident didactic sessions. During the course, students meet with the residency program director(s) and/or department chair to discuss the residency application process. Students will be required to give an oral presentation of a research interest or dermatologic condition of interest.

Research in Dermatology is an individually formulated course with a University of Minnesota dermatology faculty member. Students pursue a research project through clinical or laboratory research to become acquainted with a problem currently needing investigation in dermatology, particularly in fields relating to immunology, pathology, inflammation, or clinical disease. Students will develop skills in investigative techniques and problem solving.