Doctor of Medicine (MD)/Clinical and Translational Research (MS)
UConn Health offers a dual degree program leading to an M.D. and a Master of Science in Clinical and Translational Research. The M.S. degree program in Clinical and Translational Research is administered by The Cato T. Laurencin Institute for Regenerative Engineering at the University of Connecticut. The program stresses clinical research methods and a research practicum to prepare students for doing independent research.
Requirements
The Dual degree program conforms to all UConn Graduate School requirements. Students enrolled in the UConn School of Medicine who apply to and are accepted to the dual program are eligible for a six-credit load reduction toward the M.S. in Clinical and Translational Research degree in recognition of coursework completed in the Stage 1 curriculum. Additional credits required for the M.S. in Clinical and Translational Research degree include nine credits of core course work, nine clinical and translational research practicum credits, and at least six credits of elective course work approved by the M.S. in Clinical and Translational Research Executive Committee. Students may take an independent study (CLTR 5099 Independent Study in Clinical and Translational Research) in place of an elective. For most dual degree students, all credits required for the M.S. degree will be completed during their fourth year at UConn (after the first three years of medical school).
The Scholarship and Discovery course capstone project required for the M.D. degree will be waived for students enrolled in the Dual M.D./M.S. in Clinical and Translational Research program. Instead, dual M.D./M.S. in Clinical and Translational Research students will complete their capstone projects as part of the M.S. curriculum. To fulfill the requirements of the capstone project (nine credits of research), students must submit a manuscript in journal format, a grant proposal, and also give an oral presentation followed by questions and evaluation by program faculty consistent with the format of a thesis defense.
The M.S. program is a Plan B (non-thesis) program. Students are required to complete a final examination, which entails the oral defense of a grant application and a manuscript. Final examination materials (grant application and manuscript) must be submitted to the M.S. in Clinical and Translational Research Administrative Office at least one month prior to the student’s final exam.
Required Courses
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CLTR 5020 | Biostatistical Methods in Clinical Research | 3 |
| CLTR 5357 | Principles of Clinical and Translational Research I | 3 |
| CLTR 5359 | Principles of Clinical and Translational Research III | 3 |
| CLTR 5407 | Clinical and Translational Research Practicum | 1-12 |
Elective Courses
Students choose from a list of approved courses. Although not required, students are encouraged to enroll in CLTR 5360 Critical Issues Involving Science Publication: The Scientific Review. Examples of approved electives are:
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CLTR 5360 | Critical Issues Involving Science Publication: The Scientific Review | 3 |
| ISG 5100 | Foundations of Genetic and Genomic Medicine | 3 |
| ISG 5101 | Principles of Human Embryology and Teratology | 3 |
| MEDS 5329 | Immunobiology | 4 |
| MEDS 5335 | Advanced Molecular and Cellular Immunology I | 4 |
| MEDS 5351 | Fundamentals of Biophysics | 3 |
| MEDS 5418 | Stem Cells and Regenerative Biology | 3 |
| MEDS 6450 | Optical Microscopy and Bio-imaging | 3 |
| PUBH 5201 | Essentials of Social Inequality and Health Disparities | 3 |
| PUBH 5403 | Health Administration | 3 |
| PUBH 5408 | Introduction to Epidemiology and Biostatistics I | 3 |
Students may request permission from the M.S. in Clinical and Translational Research Executive Committee to enroll in an elective that is not on the list of approved courses.