Studying
Instruction in medicine started in Olomouc as early as in 1778 and in spite of some restriction in the late 19th century, the continuity of medicine at university level was kept in this old university town. After the Second World War, the university was re-established and the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry became one of its foundation stones.
Medical studies at Palacký University have attracted students from around the world for decades. In the forty-year period from 1957 to 1996, 450 students from many countries such as Germany, Greece, Israel, Jordan, Korea, Kuwait and Poland have earned medical degrees here. In 1993, the faculty introduced a program of medical studies in English where, at present, about 250 students, mostly from the UK, Malaysia and Taiwan are enrolled.
Now the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry consists of 44 departments with more than 750 teachers. They make high-quality studies possible for nearly 2,500 students in medical fields. The faculty has been participating in the European Community Course Credit Transfer System (ECTS) which enables Olomouc students to benefit frommutual exchange with students fromother countries of the European Union.
The study of General Medicine is concluded when students take final state examinations and are awarded the degree Doctor of General Medicine (Medicinae Universae Doctor, abbreviation MUDr.), equivalent to M.D. The graduates of Dentistry are awarded the degree Doctor of Dentistry (Medicinae Dentium Doctor, abbreviation MDDr.).
The degrees are recognized in most countries for a limited registration and for locally required licensing examinations such as the USMLE for the United States. EU nationals will obtain registration in the UK and Ireland (or in any other EU country) without the need for a separate assessment of their medical knowledge and skills. However, students from outside the EU, US and Canada should ask the authorities or professional bodies in their country for specific information about the current registration and licensing conditions.
Undergraduate studies (General Medicine and Dentistry)
Except for the fact that practicals, seminars and lectures are conducted in English, the curricula of the 2 study programmes, General Medicine and Dentistry, are identical to the coursework pursued by Czech medical students.
They conform to the European Union standards. The six-year General Medicine program has been also accredited by US, Canada and Malaysia, to name only the countries most students come from. The five-year Dentistry course is offered to applicants since the academic year 2010/2011.
The teaching method is traditional and most medical schools in Central Europe are conducted the same way.
The first four semesters of the General Medicine study programme encompass mostly theoretical subjects (anatomy, biology, biochemistry, biophysics, histology, physiology). Preclinical subjects (pathology, microbiology, pharmacology) are taught in semesters 5-7. Instruction in clinical subjects begins in the following semesters (internal medicine,surgery, pediatrics, obstetric and gynecology, neurology) together with subjects connected with public health care (social medicine, medical law). The whole sixth year is devoted to bedside training in internal medicine, surgery, gynaecology and obstetrics. The study is concluded in the 11th and 12th semester with final state examinations in internal medicine, surgery, obstetrics and gynecology, preventive medicine and pediatrics.
Similarly, the study of Dentistry is divided into three basic parts: theoretical subjects (anatomy, physiology, histology and embryology, chemistry, biochemistry, biophysics), preclinical and clinical subjects (microbiology, pharmacology, pathological physiology, surgery, internal medicine, neurology, psychiatry). Main emphasis is placed on special subjects such as preventive dentistry and cariology, preclinical dentistry, prosthetic technology, dental radiology, orthodontics, endodontics, periodontics, preservative dentistry or oral surgery. A crucial part of the study is devoted to practical trainings. The study plan also includes courses of management, ethics, legislation and social aspects of dentistry. The Dentistry study program is concluded with final state examinations in preservative dentistry, orthodontics and prosthetics, and oral surgery.
All theoretical and preclinical disciplines are taught in the Theoretical Institutes building located on the University Hospital campus. Clinical disciplines are taught in the University Hospital. Equipment of the Hospital meets all contemporary standards required for quality medical education.
