VCU M.D./Ph.D.: Program Description

Program Description

The M.D./Ph.D. Program seeks to prepare physician-scientists for careers that encompass aspects of health care ranging from the discipline of basic investigation to patient care. The program begins two months prior to the first year of medical school. The students arrive on campus for orientation and complete two laboratory rotations before the start of medical school classes.

New Student Orientation: Held in third week of June

Research Rotations: Each research rotation is 3 to 4 weeks long

Two rotations the summer before medical school (supported by a $3000 stipend)
Two rotations the summer between M1 and M2 medical school years.
One rotation following M2 year (If necessary)., after the Step I boards.

Thus, students can take as many as 5 separate lab rotations. The purpose of these rotations is not to complete a research project but to acquaint the students with the lab environment; allow them to sample the techniques being used and learn what questions are being asked; and provide opportunities to interact with investigators. The ultimate goal is to expose students to a broad range of the research being conducted at VCU in order to allow them to make an informed decision about their choice of thesis advisor. Potential thesis advisors have been carefully chosen so that only the most successful can serve as mentors for MD/PhD students (see Faculty List)

Program Organization

First two years of medical school (M1 and M2) with the other medical students
Curriculum Year. The first year of the graduate phase is devoted to graduate-level classwork chosen from a menu of available courses, arranged by program. Students also prepare for written and oral exams, the latter based on a grant proposal, and begin research projects.
Graduate phase: Complete and defend thesis projects. Average time for entire graduate phase -- 3.5 years.
Rotate back into the M3 class. Students can rotate back into M3 at any time between August when the M3 medical students begin and March of the following spring.
Students are required to take only 2 to 4 months of their M4 year, allowing them to graduate 8 to 10 months sooner than in most programs.

MD/PhD-Specific Activities

The Program provides a number of activities specific to MD/PhD students. These activities provide integration of the two phases of the Program and emphasize the unique nature of their group, encouraging an “esprit de corps” and promoting Program cohesion. These activities are outlined below and described in greater detail under Curriculum/MD/PhD - Specific Activities.

Seminars: There are two seminars per month that all students attend, one by faculty and one by students.

Invited faculty members present their research talk with students about research careers and, if applicable, the challenges facing physician-scientists.
Students present their own research and face the critique of their peers, often having to field unique and probing questions. These seminars bring or reintroduce research to students in their medical phase.

Retreat: Once a year all students and Steering Committee faculty come together at the historic Tuckahoe Plantation for a short meeting, food, sports activities and interactions. The meeting is organized by the students and is an opportunity to invite outside guests for discussions of such things as the training and life of a physician-scientist, grant writing, conflict of interest and medical ethics. Guests have included past graduates of the Program, scientists at other institutions and VCU faculty. It is also an opportunity to discuss the Program and suggest improvements.

Clinical Rotations for the Graduate Phase: Students are assigned to a clinical research faculty member for one-half day per month and meet throughout the graduate phase. The clinical activity is designed to complement the student’s research project, providing a glimpse of into the way in which basic science intersects with clinical practice. Most clinical experiences will be in outpatient clinics or in the General Clinical Research Center but vould be inpatient. Students are encouraged to take an online course in clinical research, to be completed in stages throughout their graduate phase.

Journal Club: Approximately once per semester, all students will meet with a faculty member to discuss an article of general interest. The discussion is in a relaxed, social atmosphere.

Meetings: Students have the opportunity while in their graduate phase to attend one of two meeting designed specifically for MD/PhD students.

In Colorado in the summer and is held together with the annual meeting of MD/PhD Directors.
In Chicago, held together with the annual meeting of physician-scientists.

At both meetings students from MD/PhD programs throughout the country present research posters and interact, sharing experiences. It is an invaluable opportunity for students to talk about the future, to hear presentations from the nation’s leading physician-scientists and to find out what happens in other programs.


About the Program Program Description Why choose VCU? Program Administration and Steering Committee Research Programs History Admissions Curriculum Faculty Students Recent Alumni News and Upcoming Events Contact Us Home M.D./Ph.D. VCU People	Program Description The M.D./Ph.D. Program seeks to prepare physician-scientists for careers that encompass aspects of health care ranging from the discipline of basic investigation to patient care. The program begins two months prior to the first year of medical school. The students arrive on campus for orientation and complete two laboratory rotations before the start of medical school classes. New Student Orientation: Held in third week of June Research Rotations: Each research rotation is 3 to 4 weeks long Two rotations the summer before medical school (supported by a $3000 stipend) Two rotations the summer between M1 and M2 medical school years. One rotation following M2 year (If necessary)., after the Step I boards. Thus, students can take as many as 5 separate lab rotations. The purpose of these rotations is not to complete a research project but to acquaint the students with the lab environment; allow them to sample the techniques being used and learn what questions are being asked; and provide opportunities to interact with investigators. The ultimate goal is to expose students to a broad range of the research being conducted at VCU in order to allow them to make an informed decision about their choice of thesis advisor. Potential thesis advisors have been carefully chosen so that only the most successful can serve as mentors for MD/PhD students (see Faculty List) Program Organization First two years of medical school (M1 and M2) with the other medical students Curriculum Year. The first year of the graduate phase is devoted to graduate-level classwork chosen from a menu of available courses, arranged by program. Students also prepare for written and oral exams, the latter based on a grant proposal, and begin research projects. Graduate phase: Complete and defend thesis projects. Average time for entire graduate phase -- 3.5 years. Rotate back into the M3 class. Students can rotate back into M3 at any time between August when the M3 medical students begin and March of the following spring. Students are required to take only 2 to 4 months of their M4 year, allowing them to graduate 8 to 10 months sooner than in most programs. MD/PhD-Specific Activities The Program provides a number of activities specific to MD/PhD students. These activities provide integration of the two phases of the Program and emphasize the unique nature of their group, encouraging an “esprit de corps” and promoting Program cohesion. These activities are outlined below and described in greater detail under Curriculum/MD/PhD - Specific Activities. Seminars: There are two seminars per month that all students attend, one by faculty and one by students. Invited faculty members present their research talk with students about research careers and, if applicable, the challenges facing physician-scientists. Students present their own research and face the critique of their peers, often having to field unique and probing questions. These seminars bring or reintroduce research to students in their medical phase. Retreat: Once a year all students and Steering Committee faculty come together at the historic Tuckahoe Plantation for a short meeting, food, sports activities and interactions. The meeting is organized by the students and is an opportunity to invite outside guests for discussions of such things as the training and life of a physician-scientist, grant writing, conflict of interest and medical ethics. Guests have included past graduates of the Program, scientists at other institutions and VCU faculty. It is also an opportunity to discuss the Program and suggest improvements. Clinical Rotations for the Graduate Phase: Students are assigned to a clinical research faculty member for one-half day per month and meet throughout the graduate phase. The clinical activity is designed to complement the student’s research project, providing a glimpse of into the way in which basic science intersects with clinical practice. Most clinical experiences will be in outpatient clinics or in the General Clinical Research Center but vould be inpatient. Students are encouraged to take an online course in clinical research, to be completed in stages throughout their graduate phase. Journal Club: Approximately once per semester, all students will meet with a faculty member to discuss an article of general interest. The discussion is in a relaxed, social atmosphere. Meetings: Students have the opportunity while in their graduate phase to attend one of two meeting designed specifically for MD/PhD students. In Colorado in the summer and is held together with the annual meeting of MD/PhD Directors. In Chicago, held together with the annual meeting of physician-scientists. At both meetings students from MD/PhD programs throughout the country present research posters and interact, sharing experiences. It is an invaluable opportunity for students to talk about the future, to hear presentations from the nation’s leading physician-scientists and to find out what happens in other programs.