Curriculum

The curriculum combines study toward the Ph.D. and M.D. degrees with integration and flexibility, usually requiring 7 to 8 years to complete.

A typical pathway through the program is outlined as follows:

Summer Year 1 - Optional Research Rotation

Fall, Winter, Spring Year 1 - First year medical school with graduate classes substituting for some medical school classes. Medical School classes run approximately from the first week of August until the beginning of May. Graduate Level Biochemistry (Biological Chem 550) is taken during the fall term. Continuation of research is optional.

Summer Year 2 - Research Rotation #1 (~10 weeks)

Fall, Winter, Spring Year 2 - Second year medical school runs approximately from the beginning of August until the end of April; this includes taking USMLE Step 1 in April. Continuation of research is optional.

Spring Year 2 through Summer Year 3 - Research Rotations #2 and #3, ~10 weeks each (or begin thesis laboratory research after Rotation #2).

Fall Year 3 through Summer Year 7 - Graduate classes; Ph.D. thesis research and defense (the length varies depending on the Ph.D. research); optional outpatient clinic opportunities.

Summer Year 7 through Winter Year 8 - Third and fourth years of medical school (18 months total; month of entry is flexible - see below) and USMLE Step 2

The University of Michigan MSTP has many special academic features, including:

• The MSTP curriculum is integrated. Graduate level Biological Chemistry 550 replaces part of the medical school classes and counts toward the Ph.D. degree. Medical school classes substitute for equivalent graduate level classes, too. This integration hastens the time to degree.
• Each MSTP fellow has a Research Rotation Advisory Committee that helps the fellow select research rotation mentors.
• Luncheons are held with new faculty to provide an opportunity for the MSTP fellows to meet those faculty and learn about their research interests.
• During the Ph.D. years, fellows have the option of maintaining clinical exposure by attending outpatient clinics.
• At the end of the Ph.D. years, all fellows participate in a clinical refresher tutorial prior to entering the third year of medical school.
• Fellows can enter the third year of medical school any month during roughly the first half of the academic year. This flexibility helps fellows complete the program in a timely and efficient manner, as the month of completion of the Ph.D. thesis varies.
• A Career Advisory Panel, consisting of about 80 University of Michigan faculty who hold both the M.D. and Ph.D. degrees, provides career guidance and counseling.
• The MSTP has a group event every month, including seminars, social events, and our annual retreat. These are described in Events and Seminars.