Program Description

Click here to return to the P/SP Home Page
Read a description of the P/SP
The P/SP at Tulane will lead to both the M.D. and Ph.D. and students are expected to complete both degrees.  The P/SP is for students who, at an early stage of their career development, have made a commitment to medical research as a long-term goal.

In order to foster a mind set that combines medicine and science, P/SP students will be exposed to a wide range of experiences throughout their studies.  Matriculating P/SP students are encouraged to begin laboratory rotations in July, before the start of medical school classes.  During the first year, P/SP students will participate in the regular medical school curriculum at Tulane.  In addition, students will attend a seminar series in which Tulane and visiting faculty present their research.  Between the first and second years, P/SP students will complete another laboratory rotation both to enhance laboratory skills and to help students identify the "best home" for their dissertation work.

The second year will be very much like the first.  P/SP students will complete the basic science curriculum with their classmates and continue to attend a weekly research seminar series.  At the end of the second year, P/SP students must pass Part 1 of the USMLE and complete a clinical rotation in Family Medicine.

Find out how to be admitted to the P/SP
Learn about current P/SP students
Informational Resources for those interested in the P/SP
Links pertinent to the P/SP
 

Having finished the medical school basic science curriculum, P/SP students will decide upon a course of graduate study and a research advisor. 

Students may select one of the basic science departments or one of two interdisciplinary programs in the graduate school at Tulane for the Ph.D.  The interdisciplinary programs, Molecular and Cellular Biology (MCB) and Neuroscience, combine research faculty from virtually all of the basic science and clinical departments at Tulane.  The basic science departments are Biochemistry, Human Genetics, Interdisciplinary Molecular and Cellular Biology, Microbiology & Immunology, Pathology, Pharmacology, Physiology, and Structural & Cellular Biology. 

The research years will be exciting and productive.  The period of time devoted to research will depend, in part, on the field of study and the research project itself.  In general, it is expected that 3 to 3-1/2 years will be required for completion of graduate level course work (if applicable), the research project, and the thesis defense.  Emphasis is placed on learning scientific methods through original research.  Course work will be limited to one graduate-level class per semester for a maximum of three semesters (Biomedical Engineering is an exception).

P/SP students are encouraged to defend the doctoral thesis before resuming clinical rotations in the medical school.  However, students need not defend the thesis by July- the traditional start time for clinical rotations- as accommodations will be made for P/SP students to enter the rotations at later points in time.  In all cases, P/SP students must successfully defend their doctoral thesis before receiving the M.D. from Tulane.

The final 1 to 1-1/2 years of the program will provide the completion of a solid foundation in clinical medicine.  The required "core" rotations are of utmost importance in developing and cultivating clinical skills.  Core rotations are followed by clinical electives.  Electives are a source of continued learning and help students identify a medical specialty that appeals to them as a career.  Students will work closely with a clinical advisor and the Dean of Students in selecting a residency that is best suited to their goals as a physician/scientist.