Overview
Qi Cui
The students at U of R are some of the friendliest I’ve come across. In addition to the collegial atmosphere, the faculty are extremely knowledgeable and accessible; as long as you are willing to learn, there is never a shortage of mentors/teachers. The students are respected as individual thinkers.
The University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry has a long and enduring history of training physician-scientists interested in academic careers that combine teaching, clinical medicine, and research. As part of a broad initiative to establish an Academic Research Track (ART) within the medical school curriculum, the Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy offers an Academic Honors Program in Medical Neurobiology. This five-year Program adds an additional year of study, research and teaching experience to the medical curriculum, culminating in a Master of Science Degree (MS) in Neurobiology and Anatomy that is conferred along with the MD degree upon graduation.
The overall goal of the Program is to engage students in academically oriented training early in their medical education. This in turn will prepare them for comparably oriented residencies and fellowships that will ultimately lead toward faculty positions in US medical schools as physician-scientist-educators of the future.
Introduction to the Department
The Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy is strongly committed to its major academic missions of research and education. Over thirty-five faculty (primary and joint) are available as mentors, and all are actively engaged in teaching and/or neurobiology research across a broad spectrum of interests, including sensory, motor and integrative systems, cell signaling and transmission, development and aging, neurobiology of disease, learning and plasticity, cognition and perception, neuro-engineering, and computational neurobiology. For students joining the Program, this translates into a highly attractive environment leading toward careers as clinician/scientists of the future.
Current Students
| Student | Advisor(s) | Area of Study |
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Biology of psychiatric illnesses |
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Moving On
| Student | Current Program | Advisor(s) | Area of Study |
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Auditory and Visual Integration and Plasticity |
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Curriculum
The Program builds upon two major science-oriented courses taken during the first two years: Mind, Brain, and Behavior (MBB-ANA 525) and Human Structure and Function (HSF-ANA 526). Additional requirements will be acquired during a fifth year of training beginning typically in July of Y2 or Y3 of the medical curriculum. Research during the summer after Y1 is strongly encouraged, though not necessarily in direct relation to the thesis project. Options for summer support are available through the Office of Medical Education. One of them is directly related to neuroscience, and operates within the Schmitt Program on Integrative Brain Research.
Prior to matriculating, students entering the Program must:
- Select either Plan A (Lab Research Track) or Plan B (Education/Academic Track)
- Identify an acceptable Mentor/Advisor
- Identify a Co-Advisor, if the Mentor is not a member of the NBA department
- Obtain financial commitment from Mentor towards health insurance and 25% of stipend
- Review Work Study Program application (Nancy Jansen & Ellen Poole)
- Complete GEBS office startup paperwork (Linda Lipani)
Two tracks are available in this Program:
- Plan A: Laboratory research training
- Requires the writing of a dissertation and the passing of an oral examination
- Course Requirements: totaling at least 32 credits
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- 10 credits from prior MD curriculum (HSF:ANA 526 & MBB: ANA 525)
- 1 credit (IND 501: Ethics)
- 2 credits for journal club (ANA 521), 1 per semester
- 1 credit for student seminar (ANA 522), 1 semester
- 12 credits for MS research (ANA 495)
- 2 (or 3) credits for teaching e.g. HSF (ANA 581)
- 4+ credits (electives) NOTE: combined teaching + electives >= 6 credits
- Timeline & Landmarks
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- June: begin summer research
- September: identify thesis committee members
- January 1: identify thesis project
- Jun-Nov: defend thesis and return to Med School
- Plan B: Education/Academic Track
- Includes a scholarly project and essay in advanced anatomy and/or in education (6 credits maximum), and a greater emphasis on teaching and electives.
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- 10 credits from prior MD curriculum (HSF:ANA 526 & MBB: ANA 525)
- 1 credit (IND 501: Ethics)
- 2 credits for journal club (ANA 521), 1 per semester
- 1 credit for student seminar (ANA 522), 1 semester
- 6 credits for MS research and essay (ANA 495)
- 4 credits for teaching e.g. HSF (ANA 581)
- 8+ credits (electives) NOTE: combined teaching + electives >= 12 credits
- Both cases
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- A Program Advisor from among the Department's faculty will be identified by the student with support by the faculty member and the Program Directors. For Plan A, a Thesis Committee will be selected by the student and their Advisor.
- Students will be eligible for an 'MD with Distinction' upon completion of studies, along with the MS, pending review.
- The HSF and MBB courses, as well as others within the MD-MS Program, are also part of the Department's PhD program. It is possible to extend this Program into a PhD for students sufficiently engaged as to desire the additional commitment.
Application and Admission
The Department anticipates that 2-4 first and/or second year medical students will be selected each year for this competitive program.
Selection attributes:
- Satisfactory performance in the first and second year medical school curriculum.
- Letters of support; one from a previous research mentor and the other from a medical school faculty member familiar with the candidate.
Please use the M.D.-M.S. Reference Form (PDF), to be sent to those supplying letters.
- A CV and a personal statement (one page) outlining career goals and the role of the MD-MS Program.
Please use the M.D.-M.S. Application Form (PDF) and return it by email as noted on the form.
- Interviews with at least two members of the Department's Education Committee.
- Strong interest and aptitude for academic medicine and an interest in neurobiology in particular. It is expected that most applicants for this program have had significant undergraduate research experience, although not necessarily in neuroscience.
Support:
Support for students in the Program is provided by the School of Medicine and Dentistry, with a stipend of $18,000/yr derived from the Federal Work Study Program (75%) combined with research funds from the Mentor (25%) and/or the Department. Tuition for the MS degree will be provided by the University.
2007 Dates:
For the academic year beginning July, 2006, applications should be completed by February 16th, and final disposition will be completed by March 1st.
Further Information
Further information and application materials may be obtained by contacting the Program Committee
Program Committee:
- Gary D. Paige, M.D., Ph.D.
- Chair, Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, and Program Director
- John T. Hansen, Ph.D.
- Associate Chair for Education, Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy.
- John A. Olschowka, Ph.D.
- Chair, departmental Graduate Education Committee
Students should also feel free to contact students currently in the Program, as well as members of the Neurobiology and Anatomy Medical School teaching faculty who have extensive exposure to medical students during the first and second years of the medical curriculum.