Graduate Student Handbook
V. Other Programs at the Health Center
A. Medical Scientist Training Program / Combined
M.D./Ph.D. Program
The Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) is supported in
part by the National Institutes of Health and is designed for
highly qualified students interested in careers in medical
research and academic medicine. The MSTP enables students to
acquire competence in both the basic science and clinical
aspects of the chosen fields of medicine. The Program combines
the curricula of the Graduate School and School of Medicine in a
way that meets the specific degree requirements of each, and yet
allows the completion of both in a period less than that needed
if the two curricula were taken in sequence. Students normally
spend the first two years completing Phase 1 of the medical
school portion of the MSTP; this includes mastering the basic
sciences, the graduate seminar series, correlated medical
problem solving, the foundations of clinical medicine and
participation in the student continuity practice. Phase 1
culminates with Step 1 of the United States Medical Licensing
Examination (USMLE). During the next three years (years three,
four and five), students pursue their graduate studies and Ph.D.
dissertation in one of seven areas of concentration of the
biomedical sciences graduate program – cell biology, cellular
and molecular pharmacology, developmental biology, immunology,
genetics, molecular biology and biochemistry, neuroscience and
skeletal, craniofacial and oral biology. The students then
return to the medical school curriculum to complete Phases 2 and
3 their clinical training (years six and seven). Thus, both
degrees requirements are usually completed in seven years.
All applicants accepted into the combined degree program (MSTP)
are awarded financial support that includes full tuition, fees,
and health insurance as well as a stipend (currently $20,000 per
year). Financial support is provided by several sources
including a training grant from the National Institutes of
Health, funds from the University of Connecticut Health Center
and individual faculty research grants.
B. M.D./M.P.H. Program
A joint degree program leading to the Master of Public
Health, in addition to the Doctor of Medicine, is offered in
conjunction with the University of Connecticut. The dual program
has been developed to better prepare future physician to deal
effectively and creatively with the rapidly changing environment
of medicine and health care. It is possible to complete the
degree requirements for both programs during the four years of
medical school.
Conducted by the Department of Community Medicine and Health
Care, the public health program is one of six nationally
accredited M.P.H. programs that is sponsored by a medical
school. Its curriculum covers the basic public health
disciplines (social and behavioral sciences, health care
administration, health law and regulation, environmental health,
epidemiology and biostatistics) and includes electives in health
organization and policy, health research methods and a number of
topical areas. Course instructors include full-time faculty from
the School of Medicine, other University of Connecticut Faculty
and public health practitioners.
C. D.M.D./Ph.D. Program
The combined D.M.D./Ph.D. program is designed for students
interested in careers in research and academic dentistry. It is
designed to enable the student to acquire competence in both the
basic science and clinical aspects of dental medicine. The
program allows a student to combine the curricula of two schools
in a way that meets the specific degree requirements of each and
yet allows the completion of both in a period of less than that
needed if the two curricula were taken in sequence. Entry into
this program is limited to a small number of unusually well
qualified students who are either currently enrolled in dental
school or who have been accepted into the first year class.
During the first two years, students complete the basic
medical sciences portion of the dental school curriculum. They
then enter the University of Connecticut Graduate School to
complete their graduate studies and doctoral dissertation in one
of the areas of concentration at the Health Center. The student
then returns to the dental school to complete the necessary
clinical training after which both degrees are awarded
concurrently. Further information may be obtained from Dr. Alan
Lurie, School of Dental Medicine.
D. D.M.D./M.P.H. Program
A degree program leading to the Master of Public Health in
addition to the Doctor of Dental Medicine is offered in
conjunction with the Graduate Program in Public Health, a part
of the Graduate School of the University of Connecticut. The
dual degree program has been developed to better prepare future
dentists to deal effectively and creatively with the rapidly
changing environment of dental medicine and health care. It is
possible to complete the degree requirements for both programs
during the four years of dental school.
The M.P.H. curriculum covers the basic public health
disciplines (social and behavioral sciences, health care
administration, health law and regulation, environmental health,
epidemiology and biostatistics) and includes electives in health
services organization and policy, health research methods and a
number of topical areas. Course instructors include full-time
faculty from the School of Medicine, the School of Dental
Medicine, other University of Connecticut faculty, and public
health practitioners.
Candidates must apply to both schools and meet the graduation
requirements of both programs. Further information may be
obtained from the Associate Dean for Student Affairs or the
Graduate Program in Public Health.
< Previous |
Next > |
