About this course
This course offers an introduction to the most important human diseases, their diagnoses and treatments, and the clinical practice of local Danish physicians from Danish university hospitals. There are also opportunities to practice writing patient cases and learn introductory skills in, for example, suturing, intravenous catheter insertion, and basic and advanced life support.
Syllabus
Prerequisites
One year each of biology and chemistry at university level.
Course note
This course does not include shadowing of doctors or physical examination of patients.
“Many students tell me that by the end of the semester this experiential learning experience, they become certain whether or not to attend medical school. One of my goals is to facilitate this thought process, helping them each to discover whether medical school is right for them.”
Faculty
Josephine Nolte
M.D. from University of Copenhagen (2020). Currently first year resident at the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Herlev and Gentofte University Hospital. Previous experience in General practice and Internal Medicine at Gentofte Hospital. Previous research in Immunology. Born in Denmark, raised in both DK and the United States. Bachelor of Science in Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT (2012). Previous Course Assistant for Human Health and Disease. With DIS since 2017.
Niels West
PhD and M.D. (University of Copenhagen, 2014). ENT Surgery Consultant, Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Rigshospitalet. With DIS since 2016.
Caroline Garred
M.D. from the University of Copenhagen, 2023. Currently working at Department of Cardiology, Nordsjaellands Hospital. With DIS Human Health & Disease since 2019.
Filip Søskov Davidovski
M.D. (University of Copenhagen, 2022). PhD student at the Department of Cardiology, Herlev and Gentofte Hospital (2022-present). MPH student at Imperial College London (2023-present). Awarded Master’s Thesis of the Year, University of Copenhagen (2021). Erasmus Student at University of Vienna, Department of Psychiatry and Neurology (2020). Teaching Clinical Skills Session, Emergency Medicine, and Communication Course at DIS. Previous experience in Emergency Medicine and Internal Medicine with clerkships at Soochow University (China) and Dronning Ingrid Hospital Nuuk (Greenland). Student-athlete and Division 1 Soccer in USA (2016). Previous Course Assistant for Human Health & Disease. With DIS since 2017.
Sara Woldu
M.D. (University of Copenhagen, 2020). Resident, Department of Internal Medicine, Glostrup Hospital, 2020. Resident, General practitioners at Hvidovrevej 100, 2020-2022 (including maternal leave). Resident, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Bispebjerg Hospital, 2022-present. With DIS since 2024.
Rikke Hermund
Medical Doctor (University of Copenhagen, 2026). Former Student Assistant at Strandvejens Eye Clinic, vaccinator at Bella Center and volunteer teacher at Kræftens Bekæmpelse (Danish Cancer Foundation). With DIS since 2021.
Patrick Terrence Brooks
PhD, Department of Clinical Immunology, Rigshospitalet (2026). Residency/specialization in Clinical Immunology at the Department of Clinical Immunology, Rigshospitalet (2021). Clinical Basic Training (KBU) at the Department of Urology, Zealand University Hospital, Roskilde (2017). Emergency Department, Zealand University Hospital, Køge (2016). Research interests: immunology, stem cells and regenerative medicine. M.D. University of Copenhagen, 2016). BSc in Biology (University of Copenhagen, 2010). With DIS since 2018.
Anne Brinck
Cand.med, University of Copenhagen, January 2021. Resident doctor, Emergency Department, Nykøbing Falster Hospital April 2021 – September 2021. Resident doctor, Psychiatrich Hospital, Vordingborg Oktober 2021 – March 2022. Resident doctor, Orthopedic Department, Bispebjerg Hospital April 2022 – December 2022. Consultant MD, Orthopedic Emergency Clinic, Roskilde Hospital November 2022 – now. Resident doctor, Orthopedic Department, Hvidovre Hospital April 2023 – now. With DIS since 2023.
Morten Grundahl
Cand.med (MD), (Copenhagen University, 2022). Junior surgeon in an introductory position of Urology at Roskilde Hospital 2023-present. Previously KBU in Emergency Medicine and General Practise 2023. With DIS since 2023.
Kristoffer Michael Seem
M.D. (University of Copenhagen, 2019), B.S. (Biology major with a mathematics minor, University of Wisconsin Eau Claire, 2014). Physician, Hvidovre Orthopedic Department (2019-2021), General Practice at Lisbeth Bonde (2020), Holbæk Orthopedic Department (2021-2023), Rigshospitalet Tumor section (2023-). With DIS since 2024.
Anton Peterlin
Ph.D, University of Copenhagen in the field of Osteomyelitis and bone disease (2026). M.D. (University of Copenhagen 2019). Resident at the Department of Orthopedics, Herlev and Gentofte University Hospital. Previous experience in general practice and Emergency Department, Slagelse Hospital. Previous research in Pathology and Orthopedics. Born and raised in San Francisco, CA. Previously professional footballer in England. Biology Major, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, 2009. With DIS since 2022.
Jessica Juntermanns
Medical Doctor (KBU) at the Department of Neurology, Bispebjerg Hospital. Previously worked as a locum doctor in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Glostrup Hospital and Roskilde Hospital, and as a medical student in a General Practice, and at the Rigshospitalet Oncology Outpatient Clinic (FADL – Team leader role). Teaching experience includes teaching 1st-semester medical school at Panum, University of Copenhagen, and Course Assistant at DIS since 2021. Research experience spans the Biomedical Institute (cardio-hepatic development in children with obesity), including cardiac and liver MRI studies at Rigshospitalet, as well as dermatology research at Gentofte Hospital. With DIS since 2021.
Magnus Ebbesen
M.D. (University of Copenhagen, Denmark, 2021). B.Sc. pre-medical studies, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia PA. USA (class of 2014). With DIS since 2018.
Umair Atif
B.M. (Medicine, University of Copenhagen (UCPH), 2025). Anatomy demonstrator, Institute of Cellular and Molecular Medicine (ICMM), 2023. Cardiac CT Reader, Rigshospitalet, 2024. Orthopedic Surgical Assistant, Adeas Private Hospital, 2024. Respiratory Care Assistant, ICU, Rigshospitalet, 2023–2024. Clinical assistant, Frederiksberg Private Heart Clinic, 2023–2024. Nursing substitute, FADL 2022. With DIS since 2026.
David Rasmussen
6th Semester medical student, University of Copenhagen. Board member of Students Anesthesiological and Traumatological Societies(SATS) since 2022. Board member of Students Association for Emergency Medicine(FAM) since 2023. With DIS since 2024
Shan Elahi Goandal
Received a Bachelor in medicine and is starting Candidate in medicine at Copenhagen University since 2020. Current and previous roles are student helper at transcultural psychiatry 2022-present, former research assistant at Danish Headache center 2022-2023, and research assistant at Rigshospitalet Heart center 2023-present.
Anton Stanchev
B.M. (Medicine, University of Copenhagen (UCPH), 2024). Health care profile as clinical tester for COVID-19 in Næstved, 2020-2021.Nursing substitute, FADL (Union for medical students), 2021. DAP data entry personnel (Danish Stroke Register), neurological department, Herlev Hospital, 2022-2023. Employed at the Ear, Nose, and Throat Clinic in Frederiksberg by Andreas Thomaas Ravn, 2023-present. With DIS since 2023.
Mathilde Munksby Jørgensen
Medical student at the University of Copenhagen (UCPH). Student assistant at a general practitioner in Nørrebro. Nurse’s assistant with FADL (The Association of Danish Medical Students) and phlebotomist at Rigshospitalet. Previously, a student assistant at the Danish Cancer Foundation (Kræftens Bekæmpelse) within the Analysis and Strategy team, a volunteer and board member for Social Sundhed, and an educator at the Danish Science Center, Experimentarium. At DIS since August 2024.
Linea Vega Seemann Jacobsen
Bsc. Med., (Medicine, University of Copenhagen, 2026). Clinical Assistant, Steno Diabetes Center Copenhagen, 2026-present. Medical Student, Strøgets Øre-, Næse- og Halsklinik, 2025-Present. With DIS since 2026.
Sofie Manich
Medical student, (4th year, University of Copenhagen). Student assistant at Copenhagen Academy for Medical Education and Simulation since 2020. With DIS since 2023.
Forkan Ali Hussein Al-Fares
Bsc. Med., (Medicine, University of Copenhagen, 2026). Nurse assistant at FADL, 2023-present. Assistant at the Department of Pathology, Rigshospitalet, 2023-2024. Phlebotomist summer 2024. Research assistant, Hvidovre Hospital, 2024-2025. Clinical Assistant at a general practice, 2024-2025. Secretary at a rheumatology clinic, 2026-present. Data entry assistant, Phase I Unit, Department of Oncology, Rigshospitalet, 2026–present. With DIS since 2026.
Long Study Tour
Short Study Tour
About this tour
Core Course Week, including short Study Tour, provides you with the opportunity to explore the clinical aspect of Sweden’s healthcare system, one of the world’s most universally accessible healthcare models. Renowned for its commitment to equity, innovation, and patient-centered care, Sweden’s healthcare system offers a compelling case study in how a high-income Nordic nation balances quality, accessibility, and sustainability in medical delivery.
To supplement the academic visits, the Study Tour program includes cultural visits to relevant sites, where you will learn about Swedish history and culture, and experience life in another Scandinavian city.
Learning outcomes
- Get to know some of the ‘hot issues’ regarding health care in Sweden
- Broaden your view of the challenges that health care providers face
- Examine the clinical role, function, and organization of the Swedish health care system through exposure to primary care, clinical settings, and research institutions
Possible activities
- Listen to a presentation and take a tour of an office with a general practitioner
- Visit a department within a Regional Hospital, such as the Telemedicine Department, Pediatric Department, Oncology Department, or the Emergency Department
- Visit a medical research center at the local university hospital
About this tour
Core Course Week, including short Study Tour, provides you with the opportunity to explore the clinical aspect of Denmark’s healthcare system, while furthering your understanding of the role of a general practitioner in Denmark. You will also be able to investigate cutting-edge medical research by leaders in the field and gain first-hand experience with basic clinical skills. By meeting with general practitioners, visiting with various hospital departments, and discussing medical research projects with Danish university researchers, you will see how theories presented in the classroom connect with practices in the field.
To supplement the academic visits, the Study Tour program includes cultural visits to relevant sites, where you will learn about Danish history and culture, and experience life outside of the capital city.
Learning outcomes
- Get to know some of the ‘hot issues’ regarding health care in Denmark
- Broaden your view of the challenges that health care providers face
- Examine the clinical role, function, and organization of the Danish health care system through exposure to primary care, clinical settings, and research institutions
Possible activities
- Listen to a presentation and take a tour of an office with a general practitioner
- Visit a department within a regional hospital, such as the Telemedicine Department, Pediatric Department, Oncology Department, or the Emergency Department
- Visit a medical research center at the local university hospital