Pre-clinical: Year 1

Under the integrated medical school curriculum, entering MSTP students take MSTP 793 (Translational Research Forum), MSTP 794 (Translational Reserarch Seminar), and MSTP 798 (Non-dissertation research) during their pre-clinical summer. Throughout the Fall semester, our students attend advance fundamental courses in biochemistry, genetics, cellular biology, and a variety of other disciplines taught by Heersink SOM faculty, while at the same time continuing to attend the translational research seminar course (MSTP 794). Starting in the spring semester of their first year, MSTP students transition to organ-based modules as part of the medical school curriculum.

Pre-clinical: Year 2

The second year of the MSTP curriculum is essentially the same as the second year of medical school. The medical school courses during second year consist of a series of organ-based modules. Grading in the School of Medicine is on a Pass/Fail system. MSTP students also take additional theme specific courses in GBS or Program-based courses that relate to specific areas of research in which they have an interest. Students finish up YR2 by taking and passing part 1 of the National Boards (USMLE) as well as a four-week family medicine elective.

Research: 3.5-4.5 years

In early August of the third year in the program, students select a research mentor, join a PhD program or GBS theme, and complete the requirements for the PhD degree in that theme/department. Generally, they are required to take a course in research ethics, a course in biostatistics, and a handful of advanced topic courses over their tenure in the lab.

Completition of PhD degree

Upon successful completion of the qualifying exams, a student is eligible for admission to candidacy for the PhD degree. The typical time to degree is approximately 5 years (range 4-6 years), during which GBS students spend the majority of time in laboratory research. They also attend one or more national scientific meetings annually and publish an average of 2 or more first-author and co-authored publications in the peer-reviewed press.

Clinical: 14-18 months

The clinical phase of the program includes most of the clerkships normally taken by third-year medical students, two acting internships (4 weeks each), and one additional four-week elective that are normally part of the fourth year.  MSTPs are not required to take the MSIII three-week selective or scholar's week. The clinical phase comprises 14 months of required classes. An extra 2-3 months of electives are allowed to facilitate appropriate scheduling. Additional time is allowed off for residency interviews and time for study and preparation for the part 2 of the National Boards (USMLE). All MSTP students are assigned to the Birmingham campus for their clinical training. However, elective rotations at other institutions (potential sites for residency and fellowship training) are available. The MSTP covers tuition for up to three semesters of clinical training.