MD-­PhD BME Curriculum and Plan of Study Information

Typical MD-PhD Curriculum

The MD-­PhD BME degree follows a “2-4-2” curriculum and takes 7 or 8 years to complete.

1. Medical School Preclinical Training—Years 1­-2

2. PhD BME Graduate Training —Years 3-6

3. Medical School Clinical Training—Years 7-8

With the goal of identifying a research mentor(s), entering students may perform rotations within faculty laboratories during the summer before their first year of medical school and the summer between years 1 and 2 of medical school. During years 3-6 of the program, students focus on completing their required graduate school courses, PhD research and defense, and ongoing clinical activities that allow for the integration of both research and clinical care. During years 7-8, students return to medical school for clinical rotations to complete the MD portion of the program. In some cases, students may only require 3 years to complete their graduate training.

Participation in the MD-­PhD BME program also includes attending seminars and networking events, oral and poster presentations, and the opportunity to travel to regional and national conferences.

MD­-PhD BME Plan of Study Academic Requirements and Research Milestones

PhD BME Degree (directly proceeding BS degree)

90 Total Credit Hours of Coursework and Research:

  • 24 credits: coursework
    • 6 credits: BME core competency area
    • 6 credits: quantitative/analytical core competency area (3 credits waived for MD-­PhD students)
    • 6 credits: life science core competency area (6 credits waived for MD­-PhD students)
    • 6 credits: other engineering core competency area (3 credits waived for MD­-PhD students)
  • 64 credits: PhD Thesis research
    • 1 credit: graduate­-level ethics
    • 4 semesters: Combined critical literature analysis (CLA) and BME graduate seminar

Expected Research Milestones:

  • Technical presentation at end of first year of graduate training
  • Three publications or patents, with at least one first-author publication prior to returning for year 3 of medical school
  • Qualifying literature analysis
  • Preliminary examination
  • Written dissertation and oral defense 
  • Application for internal and external fellowships (e.g., NIH F30)