MMUlr Jul 22, 2009:

Physik vs. Physikum Hi Johanna, right (see also my comment to Susan): This is a "mandatory course to be completed" *before* the Physikum; if you call it "Physikum-Praktikum" (an unfamiliar term to me!), it means that you need it for the Physikum = Vorprüfung after 4 terms of medical studies which terminates the vorklinische Studium.

Beside physics you need such a (combined theoretical and practical course) in chemistry, biology, biochemistry ...

So IMO this is not an alternative expression for Physikum-Praktikum, but is the course of *physics* / Physik - with 'k' - (for medical students im Vorklinikum or Vorphysikum).

Johanna Timm, PhD Jul 22, 2009:

Physikum? Maybe this refers to the "Physikum-Praktikum", a mandatory module to be completed by German med students in their first pre-clinical semester?

http://www.uniklinik-freiburg.de/studiendekanat-zmk/live/stu...

Susan Welsh Jul 22, 2009:

to Heart If you are an expert in the subject, I defer to you--I'm going by dictionaries. But all those I consulted give various meanings -- internship, practical training, work experience, practical course, traineeship, etc. It seemed odd to me for physicians to be doing an internship in physics--they already have a career, how can they take time off to go work as an intern for zero or low wages? That's why I figured it had to be a course. Googling for "internship," "physics," and "physicians" gives mostly results for physics students who are interested in going in to the field of "medical physics" -- which is quite different than a physician interning in physics. So, I'm not sure.