M.D.
/Ph.D. Program
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Description
The M.D. / Ph.D. program is designed for a limited number of students who are strongly motivated towards a career in academic medicine and medically oriented research. The program trains individuals in the fundamental clinical aspects of medicine and offers advanced training in a specific field of research. Physicians with extensive research training are uniquely positioned to advance medical care and to teach at the cutting edge of medical discovery.
Students in the M.D./Ph.D program receive a full tuition waiver, a competitive stipend and medical insurance allowance throughout the course of study.
MD/PhD
Program Application Procedure
Applications are submitted initially to the medical school through AMCAS. If approved by the medical school initial review, a secondary application will be sent. On the secondary application, there is a box that can be checked to indicate interest in the MD/PhD Program. Checking this box places the application in a separate review group. The applicant should include a personal statement, with a description of research experience and interest, with the secondary application. The applicant should also provide a recommendation letter from at least one individual who is able to assess their research capabilities and potential.
Interview Process
The MD/PhD program selects three dates to interview MD/PhD applicants. On these designated dates, no other medical school interviews are conducted.
Interviews for the MD/PhD program span two days and include an orientation to the program, interviews with biomedical graduate faculty and MD/PhD Advisory Committee members, tours of the campuses and research facilities and interaction with current MD/PhD students. Accommodations are complementary and will be arranged by the MD/PhD program.
Selection Process
The MD/PhD Committee conducts the initial review of all M.D./Ph.D. applications. If an applicant is accepted into the MD/PhD program, he/she will automatically be accepted into medical school; no further review by medical school admissions is required. If the applicant is judged as non-competitive for the MD/PhD Program, the application will be reviewed by the Medical School Admissions Committee. An applicant can be accepted by the College of Medicine and not by the MD/PhD Program; applying to the MD/PhD Program cannot jeopardize an applicant’s chances of being accepted to the Medical School.
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Program
Requirements
The M.D./ Ph.D. program offers an exciting and intellectually challenging course of study that students can generally complete in seven or eight years.
During the first two years, students follow the basic medical preclinical curriculum, which includes an expanded Introduction to Clinical Medicine Course. They rotate through a number of research laboratories and in consultation with members of the M.D. /Ph.D. Advisory Committee, select a mentor for research training in any of the disciplines offering the Ph.D. degree. Available research options are:
• Biochemistry
• Microbiology and Immunology
• Molecular and Cell Biology and Genetics
• Molecular Pathobiology
• Neuroscience
• Pharmacology and Physiology
Bioengineering . Drexel University also has very strong research programs in bioengineering at its main campus. Many of these programs involve collaborations with faculty in the College of Medicine. The option of completing a PhD in Biomedical Engineering is available.
Fox Chase Cancer Center: Several investigators at Fox Chase Cancer Center, which is a renowned NCI designated comprehensive cancer center located in Northeast Philadelphia, participate in the graduate programs in Molecular and Cell Biology and/or Biochemistry. MD/PhD students will have the opportunity to work with these faculty who are listed on the program websites.
The next three to four years focus on individualized advanced coursework, dissertation research and seminars. They culminate in the dissertation defense. Students also attend clinical seminars and presentations to maintain their clinical acuity. The final two years involve clinical rotations and electives, sometimes including additional research .
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Program
Guidelines
The
following guideline describes the academic policies
and procedures pertaining to graduate study in the
M.D./Ph.D programs. The booklet contains current
standards that are revised periodically by faculty
in the M.D./Ph.D program, procedures and general
rules of the Office of Biomedical Graduate Studies.
The booklet can be downloaded either in PDF format
or Word Format.
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Contact
Information
Jane
Azizkhan-Clifford,
Ph.D
Professor and Chair, Department of Biochemistry
Director, M.D./Ph.D. Program
Drexel University College of Medicine
245 N. 15th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19102
Tel: 215-762-4446
Fax: 215-762-4452
E-mail: Jane.Clifford@drexel.edu
OR
Michele
Morales, MPH
Biomedical Graduate Studies Programs
Drexel University College of Medicine
2900 Queen Lane
Philadelphia, PA 19129
Tel: Toll Free (within US): 1-866-6BIOMED (1-866-624-6633)
Tel: (outside US): 215-991-8571
Fax: 215-843-5810
E-mail: Michele.Morales@drexel.edu
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