Curriculum

The MD/PhD program offers a unique opportunity for the highly qualified student to prepare for a career in academic medicine. The integrated training for both degrees makes it possible to compress the total academic effort since some coursework can be applied to both degrees. The breadth and depth of the training obtained is invaluable to those pursuing a career in medical research and teaching.

Currently, the training program begins upon entrance into the first year of medical school. Within a few weeks after beginning medical school, the student meets with the MD/PhD Executive Committee; this committee outlines the integration of the graduate program with the medical school coursework and expectations of the MD/PhD student. In addition to the coursework of a first-year medical student, the MD/PhD student participates in two courses designed specifically for them, 1) Medicine at the Bench-top and Bedside and 2) Research in Molecular Medicine. In addition, the MD/PhD student is required to take the graduate course, BIOC 543 Human Molecular Genetics in the fall semester of either the first or the second year medical school and INTD 500 Ethics and Accountability during the summer between Year I and II of the medical curriculum. Students are expected to attend the monthly MD/PhD seminar series, departmental and interdisciplinary research seminars, as well as interact with faculty at informal research presentation/discussion sessions.

Students are encouraged to rotate in two or more laboratories and are given the opportunity to do so in the summer between the first and second year of medical school, during Year II as part of the their required student project and the summer prior to the start of their PhD studies. Although not required, incoming students may elect to rotate in laboratory before beginning the first year of medical school. Generally by the spring semester of the second year of medical school, the student decides on an area of research interest and applies to the graduate program of choice. At the end of the second year, the graduate training effort is focused on the chosen area of research and specific departmental and programmatic educational activities.

After completing the second year of the medical curriculum and passing Part I of the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE), the student enters the selected program as a full-time graduate student. Three to four years are required to complete additional coursework in the discipline, the qualifying examination, and independent research leading to a dissertation and research publications.

During the PhD training, students are expected to fulfill the requirements of the individual graduate program. Each program varies in requirements so student programs differ. To allow students to transition to the clinical years more easily and to sustain clinical skills while pursuing the PhD training, participation in the clinical shadowing program is required. The shadowing experience, which gives students a hands-on experience in general medicine and/or in specialty training, is arranged by either the student or the program administrator and is flexible to accommodate both the student and physician schedules. After completion of the dissertation, the student rejoins the medical class as a third-year medical student and completes the last two years of clinical training. The combined program involves, on average, a total of eight years.

Schedule

Year 1 - 2 Continuum

• Medical School Curriculum
• Summer Laboratory Rotation (8 weeks)
• M.D./Ph.D. Courses
  • M.D./Ph.D. Seminar Series
  • Medicine at the Benchtop and Bedside Course
  • Research in Molecular Medicine Journal Club
• Graduate Courses
  • BIOC 543 Human Molecular Genetics
  • INTD 500 Ethics and Accountability in Biomedical Research
• USMLE, Part I

Graduate Years

• Begin Thesis Research
• Take Graduate Courses as Dictated by Academic Program and Interest
• Complete Qualification Exam
• Write and Defend Research Thesis

Years 3 - 4 Continuum

Policies and Guidelines

New students can refer to the M.D./Ph.D. Guidebook regarding the policies and guidelines of the dual program along with pertinent information such as social and financial issues. The Guidebook will be distributed to the incoming students at the M.D./Ph.D. Orientation at the beginning of the year.