ACADEMIC STANDARDS AND POLICIES MD/PHD PROGRAM Technical Standards fr Admissin & Graduatin Students in the MD/PhD Prgram must meet the Technical Standards fr Admissin & Graduatin f the UMMS Schl f Medicine and f the Graduate Schl f Bimedical Sciences, based n the GSBS divisin (Basic Bimedical Sciences r Clinical and Ppulatin Health Research) with which the student is affiliated. Requirements fr Graduatin All MD/PhD students must cmplete bth degrees at UMass Medical Schl. SOM All requirements as set frth by the SOM During FOM1 and FOM2 each student must cmplete MDP 740A (year ne) and MDP 740B (year tw) plus attend the MD/PhD Seminar. The credits fr these GSBS classes can be transferred t cver the ABTS (Advanced Bimedical and Translatinal Science) requirement fr SOM. MDP 740A is a seminar style research class held during fall, spring and summer terms. MDP 740B is a ne n ne research literature tutrial in which a student selects a faculty member t wrk with fr apprximately ne hur per week during the term. (~15 hurs ver the curse f each term). GSBS MD/PhD students must fulfill all f the requirements fr bth SOM and Graduate Schl Prgrams t be eligible fr the award f the respective MD and PhD degrees. The GSBS standard fr graduate students is in the GSBS Handbk fr bth the Basic Bimedical and Clinical Research Divisin. Any differences in standards can be fund in the MD/PhD sectin f the GSBS Handbk. Prir t starting lab r research wrk in GSBS, the fllwing guidelines apply N utstanding remediatin frm SOM1 prir t summer rtatin r frm SOM2 prir t full time research in GSBS. Early Clerkship remediatin will be reviewed n a case by case basis with n guarantee f transitin int GSBS. Step One Exam must be taken prir t clerkships, unless given special permissin by the MD/PhD Prgram Directr. Success in graduate study requires perfrmance f the highest quality and cmmitment beynd expectatins fund at the undergraduate level. A student's prgress will be reviewed each semester by the GSBS during the medical schl years and by his/her Prgram f specializatin during the research years with their mentr. Any student wh fails t perfrm at a satisfactry level as judged by the MD/PHD Directr, Cre Curriculum Directrs, the Graduate Prgram Directr, the Thesis Research Advisry Cmmittee, r the Dean may be asked
t discntinue graduate study. These schlastic requirements apply t graduate study undertaken during the entire calendar year and t wrk undertaken at all UMass Medical Schl research sites. In rder t remain a student f the Graduate Schl in gd academic standing, PhD Students in the Basic & Bimedical Sciences divisin must: Successfully cmplete tw eight week lab rtatins, the first ne prir t the start f medical schl. These can be brken dwn int tw 4 week r ne 8 week rtatin each time. The secnd rtatin fllws FOM1. MD/PhD student are exempt frm the GSBS Cre Curriculum unless required by Thesis Advisr t take sme blcks f the Cre Curriculum either by audit fr a letter grade. If required by their Thesis Advisr, successfully cmplete all required blcks f the Cre Curriculum by the end f the Spring Semester f their secnd year f graduate study. Students wh receive a grade f C in any blck f the Cre Curse r in an Advanced Tpics curse will be placed n academic prbatin until the curse is remediated. The student must be advised f and agree t this requirement befre finalizing the selectin f their thesis advisr. Any MD/PhD student wh takes cmpnents f the cre curse fr credit is required t cmplete all aspects f the curriculum and receive passing grades in accrdance with the GSBS Standards. If a thesis advisr requires an MD/PhD student t enrll in blcks f the GSBS Cre Curriculum, the thesis advisr must pay fr the student s stipend, insurance and fees while the student is cmpleting this requirement. Successfully cmplete any Advanced Tpics curse required by their TRAC during their first r secnd year f graduate study Shw adequate labratry skills as demnstrated by satisfactry labratry rtatin evaluatins Pass their Qualifying Examinatin by the end f six mnths int full time research. T extend the time fr the exam the student needs the written permissin f the MD/PhD Prgram Directr. Standards fr the Qualifying Exam are thse established fr the Ph.D. prgram with the fllwing mdificatins: The Qualifying Examinatin cmmittee fr students in this Prgram may cnsist f three r mre faculty wh are in members in gd standing in any Prgram in the GSBS, withstanding and nt including the student s Dissertatin advisr(s). At least ne member f the QE Cmmittee shuld be an MD/PhD Prgram Affiliated faculty. Students in the MD/PhD Prgram are nt subject t cmprehensive examinatins f general knwledge such as may be disseminated in the GSBS Cre Curse. Hwever, such students are i) subject t any questins f general knwledge and scientific knw hw that are directly and/r indirectly related t the Qualifying Exam tpics and experiments, and that the members f the Qualifying Examinatin Cmmittee deem apprpriate and ii) the tpic f the Qualifying Examinatin may include r verlap in part r in full, the student s thesis prject.
The student may nt use any scientific materials including grant prpsals, draft publicatins, written in part r in ttal, by the Dissertatin Advisr(s), unless these were riginally written by the student. If a MD/PhD Prgram student fails the Qualifying examinatin, the Qualifying Examinatin Cmmittee will determine whether there shuld be a secnd examinatin. If the repeat examinatin is nt passed, the Qualifying Examinatin Cmmittee will meet with the MD/PhD Prgram Directr, the student s Thesis Advisr, the Dean f the GSBS, and the Assciate Dean fr Educatin f the SOM, t recmmend remedial actin r dismissal frm the MD/PhD Prgram and/r the Graduate and/r Medical Schl. T maintain satisfactry prgress after passing the Qualifying Examinatin, the student must: Establish and maintain a Thesis Research Advisry Cmmittee (TRAC) that meets the requirements f the prgram guidelines, At least ne member f the TRAC has t be an MD/PhD Prgram Affiliated faculty. The purpse f the TRAC meeting is t prvide cntinual feedback n prject selectin and cmpletin. Tw meetings per year are mandatry Standards fr the Thesis Research Advisry Cmmittee and its activities are thse established fr the PhD prgram. Please see GSBS Handbk fr specifics n standards. The guidelines fr the TRAC are the same as listed in the GSBS Handbk with the fllwing exceptins: The TRAC fr MD/PhD students will meet twice per year, during fall (Sept. t February) and spring (March t August). The first TRAC meeting fr MD/PhD students will be during the spring semester fllwing the successful cmpletin f the Qualifying Exam. Meet and prvide prgress reprts t their TRAC at least twice per year r mre frequently if the prgram r the Cmmittee s recmmends. The Chair f the Cmmittee will dcument the student's prgress using the Thesis Research Advisry Cmmittee reprt frm and will reprt the student s prgress t the GSBS Dean Make acceptable prgress tward cmpletin f the thesis. Bth the TRAC and the Thesis Advisr must be satisfied that the student is prgressing tward the cmpletin f an acceptable thesis. Any disagreements between the TRAC and the Thesis Advisr will be referred t the Dean Meet with the Dean, MD/PhD Prgram Directr and/r Assciate Dean and with the student s Thesis Advisr in the fall semester f Year Six f full time research (GSBS) and each subsequent year t utline the schedule fr cmpletin Cmplete the requirements fr the PhD degree by the end f the seventh year f graduate study. The student and the Thesis Advisr may petitin fr extensin f this time limit. The petitin must be apprved by the TRAC befre being frwarded t the Dean f the Graduate Schl fr cnsideratin. The student must cmplete the final thesis and the signature page must be signed by the Dean prir t returning t the medical schl clerkships
In rder t remain a student f the Graduate Schl in gd academic standing, PhD Students in the Clinical and Ppulatin Health Research divisin must: Successfully cmplete all Year 1 and Year 2 cre curses by the fall f Year 3 Maintain a cumulative B average verall and have n mre than ne Marginal Pass in a research curse r ungraded cre curse Successfully cmplete all curse wrk by the summer f Year 3 Shw adequate research skills as demnstrated by satisfactry research rtatin evaluatins Cmplete the cmprehensive prject by the summer f Year 1. Successfully cmplete the Qualifying Exam by the beginning f the Spring Year 2. Students wh receive a grade f C in curse will be placed n academic prbatin until the curse is remediated. Develp and successfully defend their Dissertatin Prpsal T maintain satisfactry prgress after defending the Dissertatin Prpsal, the student must: Establish and maintain a Thesis Research Advisry Cmmittee (TRAC) that meet the requirements f the prgram guidelines. Perfrm satisfactrily as a research assistant fr their Thesis Advisr as evaluated each semester Meet and prvide prgress reprts t their TRAC at least twice per year. The Chair f the Cmmittee will dcument the student's prgress using the Thesis Research Advisry Cmmittee reprt frm and the reprt will be submitted t the GSBS ffice Cmplete the CPHR teaching requirement Maintain satisfactry attendance and participatin in the CPHR Research Seminar. Make acceptable prgress tward cmpletin f the thesis which typically is cmpleted by Year 4. Petitins fr extensins are pssible but nt advised. The student must cmplete the final thesis and the signature page must be signed by the Dean prir t returning t the medical schl clerkships Any student wh fails t prgress satisfactrily as defined here is subject t dismissal frm the Graduate Schl. Satisfactry Academic Prgress - MD/PhD Student Status In rder t maintain status in the MD/PhD Prgram a student must be enrlled in the Graduate Schl f Bimedical Sciences (GSBS) and be in gd standing at all times alng with taking any required GSBS curses. The nly exceptin is fr a student n an apprved Leave f Absence (See GSBS guidelines n LOA plicy). While studying fr the MD degree, the student is enrlled in bth the Medical Schl and the Graduate Schl. While studying fr the PhD degree, the student is placed n LOA frm the Medical Schl and is enrlled in full time research at the Graduate Schl. The Schl f Medicine LOA plicy is defined by the Medical Schl Handbk. All students must be in gd academic standing fllwing FOM1 and FOM2 in the Schl f Medicine rder t mve frward with a GSBS lab rtatin r full time thesis research. Any student wh needs t remediate a curse(s) frm the Schl f Medicine must meet with the MD/PhD Prgram Directr t discuss their ptins, which include a LOA frm the MD/PhD Prgram if necessary. All students must receive their degrees, bth MD and PhD, frm the University f Massachusetts Medical Schl and Graduate Schl f Bimedical Sciences in rder t be a part f the Prgram and receive all benefits f the Prgram. When a student withdraws r is dismissed frm either schl, they will cease t be in
the MD/PhD Prgram. At this time, all Prgram benefits end and the Prmissry Nte fr the Special Prgram Fee is activated. Required MD/PhD (MDP) curses that need t be taken include: MDP740A, B and C during Fall and Spring semesters f MS1, MS2 and MS3, and the summer fllwing FOM1 MDP741 during every Graduate Schl semester; fall, spring and summer. The clinical hurs require fr this curse are ten each in fall and spring, and five in summer semester. The preceptr sheet with the cmpleted hurs, teaching faculty and clinical area must be submitted t the prgram administratr by the end f each term r the student will be administratively withdrawn frm the prgram. MDP742 MD/PhD HIPAA and OSHA Certificatin during each fall f full time graduate studies MDP 743 Preparatin fr Thesis Research during summer f year tw in the prgram. MDP 744 Learning Cmmunities during every semester f Graduate Schl MDP765 MD/PhD Qualifying Exam; register fall semester (starting in AY 14/15) f the first year f fulltime graduate studies MDP865 MD/PhD TRAC Meeting every fall and spring semester after passing the Qualifying Exam and frming the TRAC, starting spring f Year 2 in GSBS research MDP800 MD/PHD Seminar Series during each fall and spring f all years in the prgram. Respnsible Cnduct f Research (RCR) in either the BBS r CPHR track. Please review the sectin n Research Ethics fr mre details n the requirements fr RCR. MDP990 during each semester f SM fllwing the cmpletin f the PhD Any advanced tpic curse required by yur TRAC during years ne and tw f full time research Teaching Requirement All MD/PhD students are required t cmplete the teaching requirement with the preparatin and presentatin f teaching skills. The teaching requirement can be fulfilled at any pint during the graduate schl prgram. The MD/PhD Student Seminar (MDP800) presentatin can be used t fulfill this requirement in the upper graduate schl years. The teaching requirement can be fulfilled at any time during the graduate prgram. There is n limit t the number f attempts a student may make t fulfill the teaching requirement, althugh it must be successfully cmpleted befre the dissertatin defense can be held. The MD/PhD Graduate Prgram Directr will determine if the student has met the Teaching Requirements. MD/PhD Class Advisrs Their rle is t guide the student thrugh their years in the prgram and help with any difficulties, whether academic r persnal issues. If yu are having difficulty in Medical Schl, during either the pre clinical and clinical years, yur current advisr will cntact yu t meet and discuss the issues. The Steering Cmmittee versees the prgram as a whle. It cmprises Deans, faculty, advisrs and ther leaders frm bth the medical and graduate schls. The advising schedule is structured as listed belw:
Each student has a lngitudinal Class Advisr fr every year in the prgram. In additin, they are assigned a Learning Cmmunity Advisr by the Schl f Medicine at matriculatin. The MD/PHD Class Advisr is als assigned, by the MD/PhD Prgram Directr at matriculatin. The student will meet with the Prgram Advisr n a structured schedule each year; the recmmended schedule is listed belw. Each student will als meet with the Prgram Directr r Assciate Directr at the transitin pints between medical and graduate schls. If yu are cntacted by yur advisr, respnd in a timely manner. Year Advisr Meetings MS1 Assigned Grup beginning f Fall semester Individual end f Fall semester Individual end f Spring semester MS2 Assigned Individual with advisr and Assciate Directr r Directr GSBS Assigned Meet annually MS3 Assigned Meet annually, plus a meeting with Directr MS4 Assigned Meet annually, plus a meeting with Directr Medical Schl Advisr Cre Clerkship Experience and Advanced Studies Upn return t the clinical years in Medical Schl, the student may want t select a different advisr in additin t the SM Learning Cmmunity advisr fr the clerkship years. This is allwed with faculty apprved by the prgram leadership. MD/ PhD Curses Registratin Students register fr all MDP curses with the MD/PhD Faculty r Administratr. Students register each GSBS semester (Fall, Spring and Summer) fllwing GSBS Registratin Guidelines that are sent ut several weeks befre the start f each term. All MD/PhD specific curses and descriptins are listed belw: MDP740A Develping Slutins t Research Prblems Curse Gals: The gal fr the curse is t expse MD PhD students t areas f basic and translatinal research, and t the knwledge skills necessary t cnduct research in these areas in a manner that enables their intellectual cntributin t the University s academic and research functins. T meet this gal, the curse material will prvide the fundatinal knwledge relevant t mdern basic bimedical research.. This will take place thrugh scheduled didactic sessins by curse faculty fllwed by interactive questin and answer perid. Learning Objectives: Upn cmpletin f this curse, the MD PhD students shuld be able t: Name and describe the majr classes f macrmlecules that regulate cellular functins, and recgnize the distinct prperties f each class. Give examples f hw macrmlecules frm each class interact in bth nrmal cellular physilgy and in disease.
Define and explain essential technical and cnceptual investigative appraches used in predminant areas f basic, clinical and translatinal research. MDP 740 B: Develping Slutins t Research Prblems Curse Gals: The gal fr the curse is t expse MD PhD students t areas f basic and translatinal research, and t the knwledge skills necessary t cnduct research in these areas in a manner that enables their intellectual cntributin t the University s academic and research functins. T meet this gal, the student will wrk directly with a selected member f the research faculty fr a minimum f ne hur per week ver the curse f the semester (15 hurs ttal). The fcus and experimental methdlgies f the investigatrs research will be explred in depth thrugh analysis f the primary literature and participatin in individual and/r grup discussin. Learning Objectives: Upn cmpletin f this curse, the MD PhD students shuld be able t: Identify papers in the primary research literature that relate t specific questins f bimedical relevance, and explain the basis fr their relevance. Assess the general bimedical research area, and the clinical and translatinal implicatins f the research activity f specific investigatrs at this institutin. Articulate nvel questins related t a specific area f active investigatin that culd be the basis f a viable thesis prject. MDP 740 C: Develping Slutins t Research Prblems Curse Gals: The gal fr the curse is t expse MD PhD students t areas f basic and translatinal research, and t the knwledge skills necessary t cnduct research in these areas in a manner that enables their intellectual cntributin t the University s academic and research functins. T meet this gal, the student will wrk directly with a selected member f the research faculty, which can include but is nt limited t their PhD thesis mentr, fr a minimum f ne hur per week ver the curse f the semester (15 hurs ttal). They will discuss experimental strategies t address questins f basic, clinical, and/r translatin imprtance. These can include, but are nt limited t, wrk that advances the student s persnal research tward publicatin r presentatin. Learning Objectives: Upn cmpletin f this curse, the MD PhD students shuld be able t: Prpse feasible experimental strategies, including applicatin f apprpriate techniques, assessment f ptential cntingencies and pitfalls, and identificatin f alternative appraches, fr investigatin f nvel research questins. When presented with tw r mre reprts frm the primary literature that reach cnflicting cnclusins abut similar questins, evaluate the evidence and defend the merits f a particular argument. This includes an articulatin f the majr cnclusins frm each reprt, and an identificatin and evaluatin f experiments that supprt the cnclusins. Articulate the cntributin f their persnal research t knwledge in the brader area f interest. MDP741 Intrductin t Translatinal Medicine Curse Gals: The MD/PhD prgram stresses the imprtance f clinical invlvement thrughut the graduate years. The first gal f
this curse is t prvide students with a cntinuus link t clinical skills and t familiarize students with different clinical settings. Sessins shuld reinfrce clinical skills learned frm the first tw years f the medical curriculum plus the 16 weeks f clerkship in Care f Family and Care f Adults prir t research studies. The students will engage in clinical experiences fr a minimum 10 hurs in the fall and spring semesters and five hurs during the summer semester. The students can rund with physicians n the ward services, attend an utpatient clinic, r participate in supervised freestanding clinics in the lcal area. The secnd gal f this sectin f the curse is t ease the transitin back t the clinical years f medical schl by each student wrking with a designated clinical preceptr wh will supervise tw returning MD PhD students as they perfrm cmplete interviews, physical examinatins, ral presentatins, and write ups n hspitalized patients. Students will be evaluated by their faculty in these skills and a summary reprt will be generated at the end f the curse. The guidelines fr a preceptr are as fllws: They must be a faculty member at UMass either Full, Assciate r Assistant Prfessr. They cannt be a resident, fellw r visiting schlar. The clinical sessins can take place at any f the hspital r affiliated hspital campuses and lcal free clinics as lng as they are directly supervised by a UMass faculty member. MDP742 HIPAA and OSHA Certificatin Certificatin mdule f HIPPA and OSHA that students enrlled in the PhD prtin f the prgram and are required t maintain annually (within the first tw weeks GSBS fall semester) each year. This is an nline BLS Vista class which can be accessed by each MD/PhD student registered fr this curse in PSSA. The scres will be mnitred by the MD/PhD Prgram Administratr durng the student's PhD years. MDP743 Preparatin fr Thesis Research Preparatin f MD/PhD students t enter GSBS full time research in fall term after cmpleting 16 weeks f clinical clerkships frm May thrugh August prir t GSBS start. This includes meetings with the future PI, literature review and, when scheduling permits, attendance at lab meetings. Fr students wh have nt yet selected a PI the requirements are t wrk with MD/PhD and GSBS leadership t target and meet with ptential lab rtatin mentrs during the summer term. MDP744 Schl f Medicine Learning Cmmunities This curse prvides infrmatin abut SM Learning Cmmunities (LC) including huse member lists, Mentr Mentee assignments, LC student leadership, career planning resurces, infrmatin fr planning clerkships and mre. This is imprtant fr all the MD/PhD students during bth the SM and GSBS years. MDP 800 MD/PhD Seminar Series This seminar series is a mnthly event, rganized by the MD/PhD students, and participatin is required fr all years in the prgram. The seminar assists students in develping cmmunicatins cmpetency thrugh these presentatins. Every mnth, tw upper level graduate students present their research prject. A mderatr will maintain the 20 minute timeframe and facilitate the discussin. An annymus critical evaluatin is prvided by each f the students' clleagues electrnically. MDP 860 Qualifying Examinatin
MD/PHD Students are required t register fr this curse in the fall (starting in AY 14/15) semester f the academic year in which they are t pass their Qualifying Examinatin. MD/PHD Students will register fr the curse in the fall term; if the student successfully cmpletes the exam by the end f the fall semester, they will receive a grade f Pass. If the student has nt yet successfully cmpleted the exam by the end f the spring semester, they will receive a grade f Incmplete. This will be changed t pass nce the exam is passed. This curse must be passed befre the beginning f the next academic year. MDP 865 MD/PHD TRAC meeting All MD/PHD Graduate Students are required t have tw TRAC meeting per calendar year, every 6 mnths. After passing their Qualifying Examinatin and selectin f their TRAC, students are required t register fr this curse each fall and spring semester until their Dissertatin Advisry Cmmittee is frmed. Students will be graded upn the receipt f a TRAC meeting frm by the MD/PhD Prgram Administratr. If the student has a TRAC meeting by the end f a semester, they will receive a grade f Pass. If they have nt yet had a TRAC meeting that semester, they will receive a grade f Incmplete. They will be changed t pass nce the meeting has been held. MDP990 Graduate Research (fr prgram students wh have cmpleted the PhD prtin f the prgram). Students enrlled in the MD/PHD Prgram wh have cmpleted their requirements fr the PhD degree will register fr this GSBS curse each semester while cmpleting their Schl f Medicine requirements. Students enrlled in this curse will participate in and assist with the teaching/evaluatin f the MDP Seminar curse (MDP800) and cmplete the SM curriculum. This curse is the MD/PhD equivalent f the GSBS curse GR900, Graduate Research. All students must be in gd standing in the MD/PhD prgram t pass. All curses must be cmpleted successfully at each required pint in the curriculum. Failure t pass any f these classes can lead t dismissal frm the MD/PhD Prgram. This des nt apply t yur medical schl enrllment, which will be gverned by apprpriate Schl f Medicine UMMS medical student plicies. Attendance Attendance is required and expected at all registered classes and seminars. If unable t attend, the student shuld ntify the Prgram Administratr. Remediatin and Extensins The remediatin f an incmplete MDP curse must be apprved by the Prgram Directr. An apprved remediatin f an MDP class must be cmpleted during the next academic semester. A student wh needs an extensin t cmplete the requirements fr any MDP curse must cntact the Prgram Administratr prir t the end f the semester enrlled fr permissin. The timeframe will be wrked ut with the Prgram Directr and must be cmpleted n later than the end f the fllwing semester. Summer Lab Rtatins/Selecting an Advisr MD/PhD students are required t cmplete a ttal f tw 8 week lab rtatins fr graduate schl. Students will cmplete ne lab rtatin(s) prir t the start f the prgram and a secnd rtatin(s) after FOM1. Bth Clinical Research and Basic and Bimedical Science rtatins will cnsist f either tw 4 weeks r ne 8 week rtatin. An advisr will be selected by mutual agreement between a PI and a student. The Thesis Advisr Selectin and Financial Agreement Frm shuld be submitted t the Graduate Office prir by August 1 st f the third year in the prgram. If a student has nt selected an advisr by that time, they can submit a Deferred Thesis Advisr frm listing tw eight week, fall lab rtatins with eligible faculty wh are actively seeking graduate students
in their lab and are members f the MD/PhD Prgram. If they are nt members f the prgram, please cntact the MD/PhD Prgram Administratr. If, after a sixteen week extensin, a student des nt secure a thesis mentr, they will be administratively dismissed frm the GSBS. Scientific Writing All MD/PhD students are required t take either the BBS r the CPHR Cre Curse in Scientific Writing, based n their track. The BBS curse is cmpleted by MD/PhD students the summer fllwing year ne f Medical Schl. The CPHR students cmplete Scientific Writing during the CPHR Cre Curriculum. Students wh are unsure f their research track (BBS r CPHR) will be required t take the BBS Scientific Writing curse the summer fllwing year ne f Schl f Medicine. Research Ethics All MD/PhD students are required t take a Respnsible Cnduct f Research/Ethics curse based in their Track. Bth curses are ffered during the curriculum in the Fall semester f the first year f full time graduate schl. In additin t the basic RCR class there are cmpnents fr each year f the graduate prgram and during the return t Schl f Medicine. They include the n line Cllabrative Institutinal Training Initiative, mandatry curricula fr using animals and human subjects in research, CTS 702 Ethics in Clinical Research, attending IRB meetings and wrking n a draft IRB applicatin, and during their final years in clinical clerkships, reading On Being a Scientist: A Guide t Respnsible Cnduct in Research plus attending a classrm sessin t discuss the scenaris and ethical decisin making prcess that are included in the bk. USMLE Step One and Step Tw Natinal Bard Exams All MD/PhD students finishing up the secnd year f Medical Schl (FOM2) are expected t take the Step One Bards by the start f the Blck 1 Cre Clerkship Experience. Each student must submit their test date t the Prgram Administratr; any extensins beynd the start f the clerkship require prir apprval by the MD/PhD Prgram Directr. There is time fr student available t students between the end f classes, mid t late March, and the start f the CCE, in early May. Cre Clerkship Experience A new curriculum was put int place fr AY 11/12 which included participating in the Cre Clerkship Experience (CCE) prir t beginning full time research. After taking the Step One Bards, secnd year students will begin the third year f medical schl knw as the Cre Clerkship Experience. Each student will cmplete 16 weeks f the spring/summer fllwing FOM2, all MD/PhD students will enrll in SM Blck 1A, B and C (apprximately 16 weeks) enrlling in clerkships in Care f Family and Care f Adults befre shifting t GBSBS and full time research with yur thesis mentr. Academic Breaks SOM During the fur years f SOM, MD/PhD students will fllw the Academic Calendar f the SOM fr the medical curriculum. Student Academic Break Days MD/PhD students receive a ttal f 20 academic break days each academic year; these days are in additin t the fficial state and natinal hlidays. The days must be used within the academic calendar and may nt be carried ver t the next year. This includes break days taken built int the SOM and academic break days taken during the summer lab rtatins, i.e., the ttal number f days ff in an academic year cannt
exceed 20 days. These days may nt cnflict with any ther GSBS, MD r MD/PHD academic requirements. All students must request apprval fr use f these days frm the Thesis Advisr r Lab Rtatin faculty, depending n their student status. Apprval shuld be received befre tickets r reservatins are bked. During full time research, students may take these days any time during the year with the apprval f their Thesis Advisr. These days must be used befre the end f the academic year and cannt be carried frward t the next year. MD/PhD students enrlled in SOM may nly take these days when SOM is nt in sessin r during summer lab rtatin/cursewrk. If during a summer lab rtatin, they must receive apprval frm their Lab Rtatin Faculty. Fr example, during AY2012/2013 first and secnd year students will have already taken 11 vacatin days that are built int the SOM academic schedule. This leaves each 9 days t take during the summer, respectively. This wrks ut t apprximately tw weeks during summer where yu can arrange sme time ff with yur faculty lab supervisr r between fur week rtatins. First year students may nt take an academic break day impacting the Scientific Writing r MDP 740 A requirements. These tw curses typically fall during the first eight weeks f summer; please check the academic schedule prir t making any travel plans. Students cannt extend a lab rtatin past the start f SOM. Immediately fllwing the end f SOM year tw, MD/PhD students cmplete the Step 1 Bards. They have frm the end f the FOM2 secnd year until the start f the clerkship t study and take the Bard exam. Days taken t study fr the exam are nt cnsidered academic break days. Financial Aid The Special Prgram Fee (SPF) Beginning in the Fall 2004, entering students will be required t sign a prmissry nte, agreeing t pay a Special Prgram Fee. The University defers payment f this Special Prgram Fee as lng as the student remains enrlled in the Cmbined Degree Prgram. Upn cmpletin f the requirements fr the PhD and MD degrees, the repayment bligatin shall be frgiven in full. Hwever, if yu were t drp ut f this Cmbined Degree Prgram, the Nte is enfrced and debt wuld be cllectable. Massachusetts Residents The Trustees f the Schl have apprved the Special Prgram Fee (SPF) fr Massachusetts residents at $10,732.50 per semester fr the 2013 14 schl academic year. If yu were t withdraw frm this Prgram befre cmpleting the requirements fr the Ph.D., yu culd cntinue the medical curriculum and wuld be charged the Schl f Medicine tuitin and fees. Yu wuld n lnger receive any f the benefits f the prgram including the stipend. Yu wuld need t pay the SPF fr each Academic Year yu have already enrlled in. Massachusetts Nn State Residents The Trustees f the Schl have apprved the Special Prgram Fee fr nn Massachusetts s residents at $18,232.50 per semester fr the 2013 14 schl year. If yu were t withdraw frm this Prgram befre cmpleting the requirements fr the Ph.D., yu culd cntinue the medical curriculum and wuld be charged the Schl f Medicine tuitin and fees. Yu wuld n lnger receive any f the benefits f the prgram including the stipend. Yu wuld need t pay the SPF fr each Academic Year yu have already enrlled in.
Return t SOM Extended Year Plicy Students wh pt fr an extended fifth year f SOM are nt eligible fr the Extended Year Fee. This fee is available t students wh have paid tuitin and fees fr all fur years f SOM. Since MD/PhD students receive waivers fr tuitin and fees, they must pay the full cst f tuitin and fees fr the additinal year in the SOM. This amunt will be the current cst f tuitin and fees fr the SOM, bth fr in state and ut fstate students. Extended Year students are als nt eligible fr any f the GSBS benefits prvided t fulltime students. These benefits are based n a fur year Medical Schl curriculum. All MD/PhD students must cmplete the PhD prtin f the prgram prir t returning t SOM. Exceptins t this time t return plicy will be cnsidered n an individual basis and at the discretin f the MD/PhD Prgram Directr. Students participating in the new curriculum which allws fr apprximately 16 weeks f clerkship prir t full time research will have the ptin t return t SOM at the start f any term. The terms starts are typically January, May/June and August/September; each year may be slightly different. The final versin, bth written and electrnic, alng with any required frms must be submitted t the Graduate Schl Office prir t returning t SOM. MD/PhD students wh d nt cmplete all aspects f the PhD degree prgram prir t re entry int the clinical years f the SOM will nt be eligible fr either stipends r tuitin waivers. Any exceptins t this plicy must be apprved by the GSBS Dean and the MD/PhD Prgram Directr in advance f the return t SOM. Apprval fr exceptins is rare and must be submitted in writing. The MD/PhD Prgram Administratr shuld be ntified f students cnsidering returning t SOM fr any semester. A TRAC frm with Permissin t Write can be submitted up t fur mnths in advance f defending the PhD. Students must cntact the SOM Office f Student Affairs t enter int the clerkship lttery r be matched with available clerkship slts. The mandatry clerkship lttery meeting takes place annually in late winter and the Schl f Medicine needs ntificatin a cuple f mnths in advance (example: December 15 th fr February lttery). This prcess is currently under review by SOM, please check with the Prgram Administratr until a finalized versin is in place. Refer t the Schl f Medicine Student Handbk regarding the Clerkship Years.