I think the immunology section of the Microbiology course could be shifted to occur in the second semester of First Year. This shift would greatly ease the burden of second year and give more time to devote to bacteriology (highly important for Step I). It would make First year more stenuous--but let's be serious, second semester first year could accept a little padding and still be manageable. Also, immunology seems to be more similar to phys and neuro than path or pharm, in that it deals with how the body functions under normal circumstances, rather than just during disease processes.
Thoughts?