MD with Distinction in Research

The MD with Distinction in Research designation recognizes students who distinguish themselves in the conduct of meaningful clinical or basic research activities during the course of their medical school training. Individuals satisfying the program requirements will be recognized at graduation and on their diploma as graduating with the degree of Doctor of Medicine, with Distinction in Research.

Applications

Students must submit a formal application to the program. They may do so upon acceptance to UT Southwestern or at subsequent times, but application to the program must be made prior to January 31 of the year prior to the anticipated graduation date. (Ex. By January 31, 2003, for an expected 2004 graduation.)

Applicable Research

Research may be conducted at UT Southwestern or at other institutions, subject to approval of the Associate Dean for Medical Student Research. Approval may be granted depending on a description of the research, the role of the prospective students (including the number of contact hours), and the demonstration tht the proposed work has been formally approved by the relevant regulatory committees such as the Institutional Review Board (IRB) or the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee. In cases where the student is planning to conduct research at another institution, the CV of the supervising mentor must be provided.

Research may be performed beginning with the summer preceding enrollment at UT Southwestern, or at any time during medical school training. Research done prior to formal application and acceptance into the program may be considered as meeting the criteria for completion. However, students benefit from the experience of a mentor and committee in structuring a research program and are therefore encouraged to apply early. While program leaders hope that students complete the program, there is no academic obligation to do so.

Research may be in the area of clinical or basic research.

Research should encompass a minimum of 16 weeks. Activities conducted through the summer research programs at UT Southwestern fulfill the required research period, as do formal research electives. Other research activities may fulfill the requirement, but must be reviewed and approved in advance by the Associate Dean for Medical Student Research.

Research successfully performed toward attainment of a PhD degree are not be eligible for this program. In addition, time spent conducting research toward fulfillment of the "MD, with Distinction in Research" may not count toward time requirements of any other distinction program, unless approved in advance by the Associate Dean for Medical Student Research.

Research performed under the auspices of a nationally recognized research program (e.g. Sarnoff, Cloisters, HHMI, or Doris Duke Clinical Research programs) during medical school will be eligible for fulfillment of the research requirement.

Research Process

Upon application, a committee will be assembled, comprised of two or more faculty in the department in which the research is to be conducted. This committee will be responsible for assuring that the subject matter and scope of the project are adequate and will be responsible for forwarding the completed proposal to the Associate Dean for Medical Student Research.

The student's progress will be monitored by the mentor and by his/her committee. As the project nears completion, a thesis will be submitted to the committee describing the objectives, hypothesis, methods, outcome, and implications of the research conducted. The Library's Electronic Theses and Dissertations Development Process has more information.

After approval by the departmental committee, the thesis together with a recommendation will be forwarded to the Associate Dean for Medical Student Research for review. Following approval by the Associate Dean, a formal presentation of the results will be made to an audience that includes the members of the student's committee. A copy of the thesis will be archived within the library collection and the formal signed paperwork will be kept by the Associate Dean.

Ideally, all components of the program (thesis approval, submission, and presentation) should be completed by May 1 the year of graduation. All components must be completed at least two weeks prior to graduation.

Following approval by the Associate Dean, a recommendation with a brief summary of the research will be forwarded to the Faculty Council for approval that the student graduate with the degree of "MD, with Distinction in Research."

The Faculty Council needs to approve awarding of this honor by September of the fourth year of medical school for inclusion in the dean's letter, or by February of the last year for inclusion on the diploma.

In the event that a student disagrees with the decision of the committee or the Associate Dean for Medical Student Research, it is first the obligation of the student to make a good faith effort to resolve the matter with the faculty member(s) involved. Further appeals should be directed to the Associate Dean for Medical Student Research, and then to the Dean of the Medical School. The determination of the Dean is final.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this program? It is a formal recognition of an excellent body of research work that student have performed.

What is involved? Students must complete a minimum of 16 weeks of research. They must write a thesis (examples available) and conduct a formal presentation summarizing their work (usually this is in the context of a "Research and Medicine' seminar co-opted for this purpose).

Who should do this? Anyone who wishes the formal recognition and distinction that completion of the program affords.

By when should I make an application to the program? Application to the program should be completed by Jan. 31 the year prior to your graduation.

When does this need to be completed by? If you wish this distinction to be included in your Dean's letter, you should complete both the thesis and presentation by late August the year prior to your graduation. If it is completed later than this, there is no certainty that this will be contained in your Dean' letter. Ideally, all components should be completed by May 1 on the year of graduation. All components must be completed at least two weeks prior to graduation.

What is the outcome of have completed this program? You will receive a diploma conferring the degree "MD, with Distinction in Research" and your Dean's letter will identify you as having completed the requirements of this program.