About the Medical Scientist Training Program

The MST program is designed to be flexible, challenging and rewarding. The course of study is specially tailored to meet the particular needs and research interests of the individual student. The student's graduate advisory committee approves their curriculum design. The curriculum sequence is coordinated to include basic science and clinical rotations in medical school, plus graduate education and sufficient time to conduct a significant research project leading to the Ph.D.

Our program encourages students to enroll, during the summer before the first year of matriculation into medical school, in order to conduct a meaningful research experience. Although maximum flexibility with respect to curriculum design is encouraged, the average time to complete the program is 7.5 years. For most students the program is structured as follows, however, it is very flexible and can be changed to suit the trainee's needs.

Medicine, First and Second Years

The first two years of the program follow the classical medical school curriculum. Students spend the summers before and after their first year further familiarizing themselves with research laboratories at MUSC. They complete the second year of medical school with their entering class. The National Board Examination Part I is taken at the end of the second year. During this time students usually choose a program/department and mentor with whom they will work with to conduct their dissertation research.

Graduate Studies, Years Three and Beyond

Following the second year of medical school, students pursue graduate studies leading to a Ph.D. degree. During this period of time, students should complete all of the research and scientific work necessary for a dissertation. Research training leading to a Ph.D. degree can be pursued in the following departments or programs, Anatomy and Cell Biology; Bioinformatics, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology; Epidemiology; Cell and Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics; Gene medicine, Microbiology and Immunology; Lipidomics, Molecular and Cellular Biology and Pathobiology; Pathology, Neurosciences, Proteomics, Structural biology and Toxicology. Disease areas under major investigation include, aging, cancer, cardiovascular disease, neurobiology of addiction.

MSTP students take selected parts of the core curriculum offered to first year graduate students. The selection of units to be taken by the MSTP students is decided via discussions with the student's mentor and graduate program coordinator. The MSTP students are required to take the Essentials of Scientific Practice and the seminar series "Important Unanswered Questions in Biomedical Sciences" Essentials of scientific practice covers those topics that are necessary to become an accomplished scientist but are not science. They include such things as good laboratory practices, intellectual property, oral and communication skills, how to write a grant and the ethical conduct of research.

Important Unanswered Questions in the Biomedical Sciences seminar series is devoted to translational research. It is conducted at noon time and lunch is provided.

The MST Program Steering Committee recommends that all laboratory research necessary for completion of the Ph.D. degree be finished before the student resumes clinical studies.

Continuation in the MST Program is contingent upon maintaining a 3.0 or better grade point average. The Progress Committee evaluates individual performance after each semester of study during the first two years, and then annually thereafter.

Medicine, Year Three

The third year of medical school provides the basic clinical experiences in the major medical disciplines. Students rotate through clinical clerkships in medicine, surgery, obstetrics/ gynecology, neurology, anesthesiology and pediatrics.

Medicine, Year Four

The final year of medical school consists of completion of the clinical requirements and electives that permit the student to further develop individual interests. Four-week subinternships are required for medicine, pediatrics and surgery. Electives last four to eight weeks. During the senior year, MSTP students apply for desirable internships at outstanding medical universities. Time is available for students to travel to the institutions for interviews.

MSTP Activities and Events

Throughout each MSTP student's academic career, MUSC provides a wide range of structured and informal activities to promote close relationships with faculty members and fellow students.

MSTP Seminar Series: The MSTP has a Monday night seminar series that is held on the third Monday of every month. Dinner is served. Faculty are invited to present their research, which provides the students with an overview of some of the research opportunities on campus. Often the presenters are new faculty on the campus. There are two business meetings held in December and June. During the later part of the Spring semester, students preparing to defend their dissertation, rehearse in front of their peers and the Program Director and Associate Program Director. This is a valuable experience for the students, since for the presenter it gives them an opportunity to rehearse their presentation and get valuable feedback. It is also an opportunity for those students who are early in their training to find out about other research experiences. In several cases a student listening to the presentation has decided to continue the work in the presenter's laboratory.

MSTP Annual Student Research Day: This annual event is held in late summer off campus, to give MSTP students an opportunity to learn about their colleagues' research. During the morning students present their research in either a poster or oral format. The morning session is followed by a keynote seminar given by a previous graduate of the program and follows the students' presentations. The afternoon is spent socializing and discussion groups. The day is concluded with an informal banquet dinner. This annual event is attended by all the MSTP students, mentors, selected faculty, department chairpersons and guest.

MUSC Student Research Day Competition: The campus wide student research day is held annually in November. Oral and poster presentations are made by the students and evaluated by the faculty. Constructive feedback is given to all the participants. Monetary prizes are awarded for the best presentations in each category. Beginning MSTP students completing their summer research and more advanced MSTP students are required to present research projects. The day is topped off by a keynote address by an outstanding scientist.

Invited seminar speakers: During the course of the academic year, students have the opportunity to invite guest speakers. In addition, the students get to meet with the guest speakers, who are often role models, during lunch.

Social events : During the course of the year, several social events are also planned. In the past these have included such events as attending baseball games, hockey and soccer matches.