The School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies and Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry offer a combined program in which the research curriculum of the graduate program is integrated into the program leading to the professional degree. The program is available in all disciplines offered by the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies. While details of scheduling and completion dates are in part dependent on each student, the curriculum can be completed in seven years. The aim of this program is the development of future academic medicine clinician-scientists within an investigative discipline.
- Applications will be evaluated by the MD/PhD Committee and the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies. The MD/PhD committee will assess the student's research experience and potential as well as general skills that will enable him or her to cope with the heavy workload and constrained scheduling that will exist in the combined program. Consideration will be reserved for only clearly outstanding individuals, both academically and in research potential. The admissions process for the undergraduate Medical Program will be modified to allow students to be accepted into the combined program no later than April 1.
- All students entering the MD/PhD will have an Honors degree in their field of specialty as a minimum. This will ensure that the student has had the maximum amount of research training and background course work. Students will apply to and undergo the standard procedures for entrance into Medical School. It should be noted that applications will not be accepted from individuals who are not Canadian citizens or permanent residents (landed immigrants) on the closing date for application.
- After applying to Schulich Medicine through OMSAS in October, a separate application is due to the the MD/PhD committee on December 1st, which includes: a copy of the student's transcripts, a Curriculum Vitae, and two letters of reference emphasizing in particular the student's aptitude for research and a statement of intent. Forms will be provided to assist the referees in their evaluation. These letters and the student's transcripts will be reviewed by the MD/PhD committee for preliminary approval.
- If found acceptable, the student will be interviewed by the MD/PhD committee to determine his or her research field of interest, to discuss potential supervisors and funding options. Full acceptance into the program will not be granted until the student is linked with a supervisor.
- The student's file will be submitted to the graduate studies committee of the home department followed by the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies for approval.
- The two processes of evaluation will converge with the student being accepted into the MD/PhD program no later than April 1.
Currently the undergraduate medical curriculum is completed in four years. Years 1 and 2 consist primarily of lectures and patient centered learning. Years 3 and 4 include a clerkship, electives and transitional period. In subsequent years of the MD/PhD program, graduate and medical components of the program will be coordinated by spreading the first two years of the medical school curriculum over 4 years. This will enable the student to continue with his or her lab work throughout the year and will allow the momentum generated during the summer months to be maintained. Additional requirements of the graduate program, such as course work and comprehensive exams, will also be completed during this period. The final 2 years of the medical curriculum, beginning with the clerkship, will begin after completion of the graduate thesis work. Flexibility in the medical program will allow this phase to begin at more than one point in the academic year.
It is highly recommended that all students interested in this program apply for all graduate awards for which they are eligible (e.g. OGS, NSERC). Applicants interested in obtaining more information on the MD/PhD program should contact the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry Admissions Office at the address below:
Vicki VanStrien
Administrative Coordinator, The MD/PhD Program
Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry
Robarts Research Institute, Suite 1240
p: 519.661.2111 ext. 87908
e: vicki.vanstrien@schulich.uwo.ca
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