Combining physician training with experience in advanced, independent research, the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California and the California Institute of Technology offers a M.D./Ph.D. program designed for those pursuing careers in academic or industrial biomedical research.

Pre-clinical and clinical work is completed at the Keck School of Medicine, Ph.D. training may be obtained from any participating academic program at the University of Southern California under the administration of the USC Graduate School or the California Institute of Technology. Students select the basic science, engineering or interdisciplinary program of their choice during the first two years of the medical curriculum. Ph.D. mentors may be selected from a variety of research programs and academic disciplines. These distinguished research scientists are supported by more than a $200 million in research funding, offering flexibility of choice in mentor, technical expertise, and academic philosophy.

Intellectual and research distinction is offered in a spectrum of biomedical disciplines which include the following:

USC
Biochemistry »
Biomedical Engineering »
Cell and Neurobiology »
Electrical Engineering »
Epidemiology »
Genetic Medicine »
Genetic, Molecular and Cellular Biology »
Immunology »
Microbiology »
Molecular Biology »
Molecular Epidemiology »
Neuroscience »
Pathology »
Physiology & Biophysics »
Systems Biology Disease »

CALTECH
Biology »
Chemistry and Chemical Engineering »
Engineering & Applied Science »
Geological & Planetary Sciences »
Physics, Mathematics & Astronomy »
Interdisciplinary Programs »

The current co-directors of the joint program are Brian E. Henderson, M.D., Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California and Paul H. Patterson, Ph.D., California Institute of Technology.