Education Curriculum | Neurological Surgery Residency | UC Davis Health

Education Curriculum

We participate in the National Resident Matching Program, with two new interns matched to the program each year. The training curriculum is designed to provide our residents with a comprehensive experience in all aspects of neurosurgery, including rotations in neurocritical care, neuroradiology, neurology and otolaryngology (ENT). Below is the current template for the 7-year training program:

program overview

  • PGY 1-3:
    • Tuesday afternoon protected time 
      • During daylight, ~1-6pm 
      • Can physically attend a lab 
      • Lab meetings (residents can attend) 
    • PGY1s encouraged to visit labs and meet with various PIs (August-September) 
    • Must choose a primary research mentor (typically 6-12 month period, can be renewed) 
    • At end of PGY3, choose research vs. clinical stream 
  • PGY4:  
    • 1 year dedicated research time 
    • Average of 2 calls/month (vacation coverage) 
    • Funding to attend RUNN meeting, conferences, courses 
JULY / AUG / SEP OCT / NOV / DEC JAN / FEB / MAR APR / MAY / JUN
PGY-1 NSG - Intern Neurocritical Care ENT / Neuroradiology / Neurology NSG - Intern
PGY-2 NSG - Cranial / Peds Junior NSG - Spine Junior NSG - Cranial / Peds Junior NSG - Spine Junior
PGY-3 NSG - Cranial / Peds Junior NSG - Spine Junior NSG - Cranial / Peds Junior NSG - Spine Junior
PGY-4 Research and Clinical Electives
PGY-5 NSG - Cranial / Peds Senior NSG - Spine Senior NSG - Cranial / Peds or Spine Senior NSG - Community Hospital [ Kaiser ]
PGY-6 NSG - Chief NSG - Cranial / Peds or Spine Senior NSG - Chief NSG - Community Hospital [ Kaiser ]
PGY-7 Enfolded Fellowship / Research (UE5) / Electives

Academic Day Curriculum

Our academic day curriculum features a weekly full day of education. The day begins with academic sessions, including grand rounds, journal club, lectures and case conferences. The afternoon provides weekly dedicated research time for junior residents. Fifth Tuesdays feature cadaver labs in our new, state-of-the-art surgical skills facility at Aggie Square as well as time for wellness and teambuilding activities. 

Sample Academic Tuesday Schedule

Neurosurgery Tuesday Meetings
First Second Third Fourth Quarterly Fifth
5:45-7:00 Rounds Rounds Rounds Rounds Rounds
7:00-7:30 Grand Rounds (External) Grand Rounds (Internal) Full/ Clinical Faculty Meeting Non-NSG Lecture M and M Cadaver Lab
7:30-8:00
8:00-8:30 Visiting Professor with Residents Brain Tumor Board Cranial/Peds/PN Journal Club
8:30-9:00 Spine Case Conference
9:00-9:30 Neuroradiology Lecture Peds/PN Mock Boards
9:30-10:00 Cranial Case Conference
10:00-10:30 Resident Only Meeting Spine Journal Club Spine Mock Boards Peds/PN Mock Boards
10:30-11:00 Resident/PD Meeting
11:00-11:30 Cranial Mock Boards Research Workshop NS Faculty Lecture - Spine, NCCU, Scientists Leadership Development
11:30-12:00 Special Conference: Resident Research (4), CQI Projects (2), wellness (2), ABNS Prep (2)
12:00-12:30 NS Faculty Lecture - Cranial, Peds, Scientists M and M Preview Flex Time Neurovascular Conference Resident Wellness
12:30-1:00
1:00-1:30 Flex Time Flex Time Flex Time Flex Time
1:30-2:00
2:00-2:30 Protected Research Time (PGY 1-4) Clinical Duties (PGY 4-7) Protected Research Time (PGY 1-4) Clinical Duties (PGY 4-7) Protected Research Time (PGY 1-4) Clinical Duties (PGY 4-7) Protected Research Time (PGY 1-4) Clinical Duties (PGY 4-7)
2:30-3:00
3:00-3:30
3:30-4:00
4:00-4:30
4:30-5:00
5:00-5:30
5:30-6:00