The purpose of Pillar 1 is to provide a strong foundational knowledge base prior to entering the clerkship phase of training. 

Pillar 1 includes 10 integrated science blocks spread across 3 semesters, with each semester including 2-4 science block running concurrently with one clinical foundations course. 

Scheduled class time may occur from 8AM to 5PM, Monday through Friday. 
Each week contains built-in unscheduled time for students to engage in independent study, self-directed learning or review. 
The hour between 12PM and 1PM generally is reserved for lunch, but some advising or career-counseling activities may occasionally be scheduled during that time. 
Overall, an average week may include lectures, active learning activities, clinical foundations activities and one or more in-person assessments.
All preclinical course quizzes and examinations, as well as the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) customized assessments and Clinical Foundations written exams are conducted in Vermillion and in-person attendance at these assessments is required. Typically, quizzes are conducted weekly on Monday mornings, whereas Final Examinations and NBME assessments are scheduled at the end of each course. 
Other required-attendance events in Lee Medical Building include all active-learning sessions throughout Pillar 1. Examples of these required activities may include:

• Patient-Based Learning sessions (PBLs, 1-2 per course)
• Clinical Correlations/Case Studies sessions (varies by course)
• Team-Based Learning sessions (TBLs)

Other required-attendance activities occurring in Sioux Falls (at the Parry Center, within the Sanford School of Medicine Health Science Center) include:

• High-Fidelity Simulations (during Fall semester courses of Year 2)
• Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCE, 6 throughout Pillar 1)

It is estimated that at least half of student learning time during Phase 1 will take place via lectures (synchronous or asynchronous) and with the remaining time dedicated to active learning in small or large groups and during individualized sessions. 

Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory is the grading scale for all Pillar 1 courses.

Over the next 12 months, students participate in seven core clerkships through longitudinal integrated ambulatory experiences interleaved with hospital-based education, formal didactics and a focused rural family medicine block experience. Students are located on one of three clinical campuses – Rapid City, Sioux Falls and Yankton- and in rural communities across the state through the Frontier And Rural Medicine (FARM) Program. The first semester of Pillar 2 is graded pass-fail, while the second semester of Pillar 2 introduces letter grades to allow students to begin to distinguish themselves.

• Sample Pillar 2 Calendar

Over the last 16 months, all students complete selected required rotations including two surgery sub-specialty experiences, an emergency medicine rotation, and an acting internship (sub-internship). Students will also participate in a capstone rural family medicine experience during this phase of the curriculum. The remainder of this time students have the flexibility to pursue elective rotations, research, away rotations, and global health experiences. Students can also select from a variety of courses on medical ethics, medical humanities, and health policy. Grading in this phase of the curriculum is based on letter grades. A transition to residency course and a professional development course serves as the final requirements in the M.D. program.

Pillar 3 schedules vary per student. Students can make their own schedule but attached are two different draft Pillar 3 schedules.

• Sample Pillar 3 Calendar