When I first came to UCSF, I barely know their research background, so my professor in UCSF suggested that I should take basic pharmacokinetic course with their PH.D students, and then he put my name on the students’ list who will take the examination. UCSF is a leader in health sciences curriculum innovation.

    At first, I could not adapt myself to their way of teaching and studying. I had pharmacokinetic background in China, but it seemed like no helpful to the study in US. In UCSF, professors gave you a presentation first, which usually lasted for 3-4 hours, and then they assigned homework. In the following lesson, students must finished it and presented by themselves, and via this way, professors will know which point they need to be elaborated more. In the class, students approach pharmacokinetic challenges with critical thinking and a spirit of inquiry. They also have mid-term examination and final examination. In addition to paperwork, students had to elucidate questions orally, like in an interview, and two professors would ask any questions related to pharmacokinetics.

    According to the performance, professors will give students a grade. If a student fails the examination or original performance was unsatisfactory, the committee must make a recommendation for or against a second examination. If a second examination is allowed, the members of the reviewing committee must be the same as for the original exam. It was so stressful while learning and taking oral exam, but after I achieved it, I feel so proud of myself.

By  Kou Wen/ Lin Juanzhen

Edited by Office of International Cooperation and Communication