University General Course Catalog 2022-2023 
    
    Mar 28, 2024  
University General Course Catalog 2022-2023 ARCHIVED CATALOG: LINKS AND CONTENT ARE OUT OF DATE. CHECK WITH YOUR ADVISOR.

Combined M.D. and Ph.D. Program


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Combined M.D. and Ph.D. degree programs are offered in biochemistry, biomedical engineering, cellular and molecular biology, pharmacology and physiology.

  • Degree candidates may be accepted to the M.D./Ph.D. program only after being accepted to the School of Medicine as a regular M.D. student.
  • Candidates must also meet the admission criteria of the Graduate School.
  • Students may apply for admission to the Program and Graduate School during the spring semester of the second year of medical education.
  • An additional application must be submitted to the M.D./Ph.D. program committee and the Graduate School.
  • A maximum of 30 semester-equivalent units earned in the M.D. program may apply to the Ph.D.

The M.D./Ph.D. program requires:

  • 1 unit of comprehensive exam
  • 30 units at the 700-level (including comprehensive exam)
  • 72 total units
  • Both the M.D. and Ph.D. degrees are posted on the student’s record only after the requirements for both have been completed.

For further information, contact the Office of Medical Research at 784-4908.

Contact Information


Senior Associate Dean for Research
Office of Medical Research
University of Nevada, School of Medicine
775 682-7320

Program Objectives/Student Learning Outcomes


  1. Students will be able to demonstrate knowledge of principles of biomedical sciences as applied to the practice of medicine and translational research. Further they will integrate this information in problem solving scenarios.
  2. Students will be able to demonstrate effective oral communication skills.
  3. Students will be able to demonstrate effective writing skills.
  4. Students will be able to demonstrate independent and critical thinking abilities which will enable them to contribute significantly to the advancement of knowledge in basic science and translational research in medicine.
  5. Upon completing the training program students will be able to work independently as a clinician/scientist in a collaborative environment to create scholarly manuscripts and grant applications that effectively communicate scientific ideas and experimental results.

I. Program Requirements (74 units)


B. Interdisciplinary Molecular Biosciences Program (42 units)


At the beginning of the third year, M.D./Ph.D. students select one of the tracks within the interdisciplinary Molecular Biosciences Graduate Program of the University of Nevada, Reno.  The student and graduate committee will decide among the three Ph.D. degree programs available: BCH, CMB or CMPP.

At that time the graduate committee must approve the program of study and determine the remaining curriculum, which is comprised of elective courses relevant to the student’s dissertation project.  The curriculum of selected graduate courses and ancillary activities such as seminars, colloquia and qualifying examinations is structured to be consistent with the background and goals of the student.

At a minimum, the student is expected to successfully complete 20 units at the 700-level with 50% of this to be fulfilled by course work in the area of specialization (e.g., advanced 700-level courses in biochemistry, cell and molecular biology, pharmacology or physiology). The student enrolls for a minimum of 24 units for dissertation research.

Electives may include:

II. Recommended Schedule


A. First Year


Blocks 1 - 5 (40 weeks)
Practice of Medicine (40 weeks)                 
Summer Research (10 weeks)                 

B. Second Year


Blocks 6 - 10 (30 weeks)                   
Clinical Reasoning (18 weeks)             
USMLE Step 1 (4 weeks)                       

C. Third Year


Advanced Graduate Courses (6 units)
Journal Club (2 units)
Seminar (2 units)
Dissertation (12 units)

D. Fourth Year


Qualifying Exam    
Advanced Graduate Courses (6 units)
Journal Club (2 units)
Seminar (2 units)
Dissertation (12 units)
Dissertation Defense   

E. Fifth Year


Clinical Rotations (52 weeks)
Clinical Reasoning in Medicine (18 weeks)

F. Sixth Year


Rural Rotation (4 weeks)
Clinical Electives (2 weeks)

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