on haematology and a week on respiratory pathology. During this time there are weekly visits to either a G.P. or hospital. This is combined with more in-depth teaching on the principles of medicine and surgery, the pathological basis of disease, and clinical investigation and laboratory analysis, including radiology, clinical biochemistry, pathology and microbiology. During the summer vacations after third and fourth years the student undertakes two four-week periods of elective study. These are in subjects and locations of choice and are designed to develop individual interests and to experience medical environments other than those provided on the programme. The top 20% of students after year three have the option of completing an additional intercalated degree before entering year four. Phase 4 Phase 4 comprises the second half of year three and years four and five. This is the final part of the programme during which the student is attached to clinical specialities, including obstetrics and gynaecology, child health, psychological medicine, general practice, and more specialised aspects of medicine and surgery. During this phase most of the time is spent in hospital attachments in Glasgow and in the wider West of Scotland, and learning the clinical and practical skills necessary to work as a junior doctor. Clinical skills and vocational studies Medical students have contact with patients from early on in the medical degree programme. Training in communication and clinical skills starts in Year 1, while vocational studies assist students in the acquisition of professional skills and attributes, standards and behaviour. Wolfson Medical School Building The Wolfson Medical School Building opened in September 2002, designed by Reiach and Hall Architects at a cost of £9m. It was designed to accommodate the problem-based learning curriculum. As well as three small lecture rooms (with capacity for around eighty people in each) and ten PBL Rooms, facilities include: School library The Walton Foundation Library and Resource Area occupies three levels of the building and is open to medical students 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. As well as 120 study carrels (booths), some with flat-screen computers, students have access video recorders and DVD players for watching clinical skills materials, over 3000 books (including multiple copies of core texts), CD-ROMs and computer-aided learning packages. There are six project rooms. Clinical skills Clinical skills is made up from a fully equipped ward and side rooms complete with audio visual equipment, allowing students to document,