Combined Degree Program Director: Robert Intine, Ph.D., Associate Dean for Basic Science Education Programs 847-578-8579 Combined Degree Coordinator: Caryn Wickersheim, 847-578-8493
Curriculum Admission is granted via the IGPBS Committee through a consolodated review process that includes representation from the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies as well as that of the Chicago Medical School or Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine. Interviews are held in conjunction with the Graduate School's IGPBS recruiting weekend. Additional interview dates may be scheduled to accomodate fluctuation in the application season. Phase I - M1 1. Oversight for basic science curriculum and research options for research are facilitated by the Director of IGPBS (Chair of MD/Ph.D. committee). Phase I - M2 Curriculum/research oversight and physician scientist mentorship continue. Students rotate through the labs of approved research advisors and select a research mentor by the end of the year and complete ICM2. Phase I - PhD Years Track II students and DPM/PhD students would begin studies at the start of this phase, having selected a research mentor.
Because of the extensive coursework of the combined degree student, the Research Committee will determine their course requirements for the Ph.D. phase. This may, or may not, include the "required" courses of the department. The Research Committee will determine the required coursework when the student enters the Ph.D. phase of study. The Chair of the Research Committee will document.
This phase usually lasts about four years, but can be shortened or extended depending on the student's progress and culminates in the defense of the student's thesis. During this phase ressearch mentor advisement is added to the process to augment the ongoing oversight of the Direcor of IGPBS and and physician scientist. Toward the end of this phase, the student is required to complete Clinical Exposure training. The Dean of the student's respective medical school will join in student mentorship near the end of Phase I to help facilitate the transition back into clinical training. Phase II - M3/P3 Students are allowed a flexible transition back into the clinical years of medical studies (P3/P4 or M3/M4) with accommodations for students who may be off sequence from the normal clinical start date. Clinical Research and/or Basic Science Electives can be used to augment the requirements for clinical experience during phase II, if approved by the respective School of Medicine. Phase II - M4/P4 The Physician Scientist mentor will help the student matching with an appropriate Research-orientated Residency.