There are three basic science departments in the Saint Louis University School of Medicine that grant Ph.D. degrees with curriculum approved for M.D./Ph.D. trainees:
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- Molecular Microbiology and Immunology
- Pharmacological and Physiological Science.
M.D./Ph.D. trainees complete six didactic credits plus 12 credits of dissertation research required by the Office of Graduate Education to complete the Ph.D. owing to unique features of the Ph.D. programs in Health Care Ethics (HCE) and Health and Clinical Outcomes Research (HCOR).
Students accepted for the M.D./Ph.D. program are subject to the regulations and residency requirements of the Office of Graduate Education and the Medical School. Students must also meet the course requirements in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. However, courses taken at the School of Medicine are accepted toward fulfilling the course requirements for the Ph.D. degree. These include 30 credits for coursework in M.D. Phases 1 and 2 (see p. 7). After successfully completing the M.D. Phases 1 and 2 curricula and USMLE Step 1, the M.D./Ph.D. trainee begins studies toward the Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, commencing on or about May 1 of their second full year at SLU.
Refer to the Student Guide in the FAQs and Resources for more information.
The Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology (MMI) offers a program in molecular microbiology and immunology leading to a Ph.D. degree. The goal of the MMI graduate program is to graduate exceptionally well-trained researchers who are prepared for a career in academic science or biotechnology. Research in the program is diversified. Areas of research emphasis include cell and molecular biology, virology, immunology, cancer therapy and antiviral drug development. Graduate training in the program includes advanced coursework, training in scientific writing and oral presentation skills, and performance of original biomedical research leading to the Ph.D. dissertation.
Refer to the Student Guide in the FAQs and Resources for more information.
Visit the Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology
The Department of Pharmacology and Physiology (P & P) provides a Ph.D. program that trains students to become independent investigators in the interrelated disciplines of physiology and pharmacology. The department also contains the Center for Neuroscience. The overall goals of the Ph.D. program are to instill enthusiasm for discovery and the scientific process, foster critical thinking, research competence, and oral and written communication skills, and promote a commitment to lifelong scholarship. Diverse research interests of the department faculty ensure that trainees can select projects that span physiology and pharmacology from the subcellular through integrative levels.
M.D./Ph.D. trainees join this graduate program with 30 credits transferred from the Phase One and Two M.D. curricula toward the total of 36 credits and 12 dissertation credits required for the Ph.D. degree by the Office of Graduate Education. The remaining six coursework credits are satisfied through completion of two one-credit required courses described below, and by regular participation in the department’s scheduled journal clubs and seminar series detailed below. Journal clubs cover a broad range of subjects, as do the weekly departmental seminars that feature outstanding speakers from the U.S. and abroad.
Refer to the Student Guide in the FAQs and Resources for more information.
The Department of Health Care Ethics offers a Ph.D. program in health care ethics for the M.D./Ph.D. trainee. A minimum of 48 credits is required for the Ph.D. This ordinarily includes 33 didactic credits, three credits of practica, and 12 credits of dissertation research. The Department accepts seven credits from Phase One and Phase Two of the M.D. curriculum; the required courses HCE-6110 Introduction to Medicine for Ethicists (1 credit), one Topics and Scholars elective (3 credits), and HCE 6150 Practicum (3 credits) are waived based on medical school coursework in Patient, Physician, and Society I and II, and in Fundamentals of Biomedical Science. The zero-credit Research Tools requirement to ensure knowledge of medical terminology and biostatistics is also waived for M.D./Ph.D. students based on trainee knowledge and experience. The zero-credit library database searches Research Tool requirement, the remaining 27 credits of Ph.D. coursework, comprehensive exams, the dissertation, and the public defense of the dissertation must be completed during the three years of Ph.D. study.
Refer to the Student Guide in the FAQs and Resources for more information.
Health and Clinical Outcomes Research (HCOR) offers a Ph.D. program in health outcomes research for the M.D./Ph.D. trainee. A minimum of 48 graduate credits is required for the Ph.D. This ordinarily includes 29 didactic credits (see below) and 12 credits of dissertation research. HCOR accepts nine credits from the M.D. program.
All remaining coursework, comprehensive exams, dissertation, and the public defense of the dissertation must be completed during the three years of Ph.D. study.