MD/PhD students at the University of Cincinnati typically complete their first two years of medical school and then shift their study to graduate school training in one of the College of Medicine graduate programs. Upon successful completion of a Ph.D. thesis, students then return to medical school and complete their final two years of clinical training. With approval of the program director, this path may be modified under special circumstances.
Preclinical Years
The MD/PhD program begins with the first two years of medical school, during which the student join the medical students in the core basic science courses of Gross Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, Microscopic Anatomy, Brain & Behavior, Microbiology, Pathology, Pharmacology, and Clinical Foundations of Medical Practice. After the second year, having successfully completed the basic science course work, students devote themselves to preparation for the first step of the United States Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE Step 1).
The summer before entering the medical school and the summer between the first two years are devoted to laboratory research rotations. These rotations are designed to help students chose a research mentor for their future PhD work. Also during the first two years, students are expected to participate in basic science journal club, and are exposed to the research of various College of Medicine faculty through bi-weekly lunch time research talks.
Research Years
The next three to four years are devoted to coursework and research towards the PhD degree. Candidates for the MD/PhD degree may pursue laboratory research in any of the College of Medicine's 10 degree granting departments, as well as in many other science departments at the University of Cincinnati. Students first chose a mentor, and then join the appropriate graduate program, subsequently following the guidelines of study of that program. The PSTP and the various graduate programs display considerable flexibility in devising a program of study suited to each individual student’s interests.
During the last year PhD training, with the approval of the thesis advisor, students may elect to pursue the Longitudinal Family Medicine Clerkship. This involves one half day of clinic each week for 32 weeks with an assigned Family Medicine faculty member, as well as four full Fridays of didactics during one month of that year.
Clinical Biennium
After successful defense of the PhD thesis, students rejoin the medical school as third-year medical students. During these two years, students complete five required core clinical clerkships: Internal Medicine, Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Psychiatry, and Pediatrics; two Acting Internships, and several primary care or specialty electives.
During the final year, students are required to complete a senior research project that may be in the field of medicine that the student has chosen to pursue in the future, or may be a continuation of the student’s thesis work.
Upon graduation, students receive both an MD and a PhD, and most go on to pursue academic careers around the country.