Curriculum & Timeline
PREHEALTH MEDICAL INNOVATION PROGRAM at CI MED
Curriculum & Timeline
The Carle Illinois College of Medicine PreHealth Medical Innovation Program delivers preparation plus academic support, mentorship, and professional readiness, while introducing a healthcare innovation mindset.
The Carle Illinois College of Medicine PreHealth Medical Innovation Program is a transformative post‑baccalaureate pathway designed to prepare students for medical and other health professional schools through integrated courses in medical knowledge, innovation, and professional development.
The program emphasizes student-centered support, mastery of foundational biomedical sciences, and guided preparation for the health professions application process. Innovation and creative problem-solving are integrated as added strengths — expanding students’ perspectives and differentiating them as future leaders who can thoughtfully advance patient care and health systems.
Curricular structure that meets your needs
Four enrollment options – all include Kaplan MCAT Prep.
Option 1
PreHealth Medical Innovation Program
The complete experience.
36 credit hours
1 Year
Full Program
- Medical Knowledge
- Health Innovation
- Professional Development
- Elective Courses
- Personalized Advising
- MCAT Preparation
- Linkage Eligibility*
Option 2
Medical Knowledge Certificate
Focused academic preparation.
12 credit hours
Two semesters
Summer & Fall
- Medical Knowledge
- Health Innovation –
- Professional Development –
- Elective Courses –
- Personalized Advising –
- MCAT Preparation
- Linkage Eligibility* –
Option 3
Health Innovation Certificate
Focused innovation preparation.
9 credit hours
Two semesters
Summer & Spring
- Medical Knowledge –
- Health Innovation
- Professional Development –
- Elective Courses –
- Personalized Advising –
- MCAT Preparation
- Linkage Eligibility* –
Options 2 & 3
Medical Knowledge + Health Innovation Certificate
Broader academic and innovation preparation.
21 credit hours
One year
Summer - Spring
- Medical Knowledge
- Health Innovation
- Professional Development –
- Elective Courses –
- Personalized Advising –
- MCAT Preparation
- Linkage Eligibility* –
*Multiple linkages within three career pathways: Clinical Professions, Biomedical Research, and Healthcare Innovation and Technology
Courses
View a snapshot of our core courses. A more detailed description of the curriculum and courses can be found on the Healthcare, Biomedical Science and Engineering courses page.
Summer A
- Medical Knowledge I (6 weeks)
Anatomy, Embryology, & Histology - Professional Development I (6 weeks)
Building the application foundation
Summer B
- Medical Knowledge II (6 weeks)
Physiology, Cell Biology, & Metabolism
- Health Innovation I (6 weeks)
Identify & frame meaningful healthcare problems
- Professional Development
Designed around student needs
Fall A
- Medical Knowledge III (8 weeks)
Pathology & Immunology
- Professional Development
Designed around student needs
Fall B
- Medical Knowledge IV (8 weeks)
Pharmacology & Microbiology
- Professional Development
Designed around student needs
Spring A
- Health Innovation II (8 weeks)
Design, evaluate, & communicate feasible healthcare solutions
- Professional Development
Designed around student needs
Spring B
- Professional Development
Designed around student needs
Option 2: Medical Knowledge Certificate
Summer A
- Medical Knowledge I (6 weeks)
Anatomy, Embryology, & Histology
Summer B
- Medical Knowledge II (6 weeks)
Physiology, Cell Biology, & Metabolism
Fall A
- Medical Knowledge III (8 weeks)
Pathology & Immunology
Fall B
- Medical Knowledge IV (8 weeks)
Pharmacology & Microbiology
Option 3: Health Innovation Certificate
Summer B
- Health Innovation I (6 weeks)
Identify & frame meaningful healthcare problems
Fall
- Bioengineering Elective (16 weeks)
Spring A
- Health Innovation II (8 weeks)
Design, evaluate, & communicate feasible healthcare solutions
Option 2 & 3: Medical Knowledge & Health Innovation Certificate
Summer A
- Medical Knowledge I (6 weeks)
Anatomy, Embryology, & Histology
Summer B
- Medical Knowledge II (6 weeks)
Physiology, Cell Biology, & Metabolism
- Health Innovation I (6 weeks)
Identify & frame meaningful healthcare problems
Fall A
- Medical Knowledge III (8 weeks)
Pathology & Immunology
- Bioengineering Elective (16 weeks)
Fall B
- Medical Knowledge IV (8 weeks)
Pharmacology & Microbiology
Spring A
- Health Innovation II (8 weeks)
Design, evaluate, & communicate feasible healthcare solutions
Molecular & Cellular Biology
School of Molecular & Cellular Biology, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
- MCB 402 - Systems & Integrative Physiology
- MCB 408 - Immunology
- MCB 450 - Introductory Biochemistry
- MCB 466 - Neuro & Molecular Pharmacology
Bioengineering
Department of Bioengineering, The Grainger College of Engineering
- BIOE 476 – Tissue Engineering
- BIOE 424 – Preclinical Molecular Imaging
- BIOE 430 – Introduction to Synthetic Biology
- BIOE 498 / BIOE 598, Section STO – Surgical Technologies
- BIOE 432 – Systems Biology: Uncovering Design Principles of Biological Networks
- BIOE 479 / BIOE 598, Section NIO – Cancer Nanotechnology
- BIOE 487 – Stem Cell Bioengineering
- BIOE 470 – Regulatory and Quality Issues in Bioengineering
Contact Us
Wessam Ibrahim, MD, PhD, MEHP
Postbaccalaureate Program Director
Roberto Galvez, PhD
Director of Graduate Studies
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Connect With Us.
Whether you're preparing for medical school, strengthening your academic profile, or looking for a unique advantage in healthcare admissions, PMI provides the support, preparation, and innovation-focused experience to help you move forward.
Email: pmi@medicine.illinois.edu