The goal of the University of Michigan Medical Scientist Training Program is to train physician scientists primarily for careers in academic medicine with a focus on basic biomedical research. The U of Michigan Medical Center is one of the world's largest one-site complexes devoted to health education, research and patient care. There are over 1.8 million sq ft of space dedicated to education and laboratory research. In addition, a new research building is just starting to be occupied, and another new research building will begin occupancy in 2005. The Michigan MSTP provides an integrated curriculum of M.D./Ph.D. training. Matriculants have a strong history of academic success and research experience, and are graduates of outstanding colleges from all parts of the U.S. There are currently 84 trainees and 97 graduates. The curriculum begins with the two basic science years of medical school. A graduate level biochemistry course is taken as part of the 1st year of medical school. Trainees undertake a research rotation after the 1st year of medical school and one or two rotations after the 2nd year. Trainees select a Ph.D. field during the 2nd year of medical school;core participating departments include bioinformatics, biological chemistry, biophysics, cell &developmental biology, cellular &molecular biology, chemical biology, human genetics, immunology, medicinal chemistry, microbiology &immunology, molecular &integrative physiology, neuroscience, pathology, and pharmacology. Other fields are possible, e.g., biomedical engineering. Trainees take a leave of absence from medical school typically after the 2nd year to continue graduate studies full time. Upon successful completion of the thesis defense, trainees complete their clinical training. The 3rd year of medical school can be entered any month within the first half of the academic year to accommodate variations in thesis defense dates, and the 4th year of medical school is truncated to 6 months. Total training is typically 7 to 8 years. There are monthly program activities including seminars, social events and an annual scientific retreat.
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