Objectives

(Method of monitoring objectives is indicated in parentheses)

• At the beginning of the 3rd year, complete a research proposal acceptable to Mentor and Study Program Director; obtain the appropriate approvals (tracked by Curriculum office).
• Adhere to relevant institutional policies and procedures regarding research involving human subjects and animals (complete online HIPAA [tracked by Registrar's office] and IRB/IACUC modules [tracked by Curriculum office] by specified deadlines).
• Design with mentor research strategies appropriate to chosen area (Mentor evaluation; thesis).
• Review and critically assess literature pertaining to a chosen topic (Mentor evaluation; thesis).
• Determine what data exist relative to a clinical question or formal hypothesis (Mentor evaluation).
• Execute a research plan for data collection, and organize data for analysis under supervision of mentor (Mentor evaluation).
• Use appropriate statistical methods to analyze data and interpret scientific literature (Mentor evaluation; successful completion of Medical Statistics course).
• Collaborate with other individuals as part of the research process and attribute appropriately the contributions of others to the project (Mentor evaluation; thesis).
• Interpret and report findings in a thesis following prescribed guidelines, appropriately citing relevant work by others (thesis).
• Present results orally and in poster form to an audience of colleagues (Mentor evaluation).
• Complete official 3rd Year Committee evaluation of research experience (Checklist).
• Complete Medical Statistics course or provide evidence of formal training in quantitative biomedical statistics as a part of another 3rd year experience
• Interact professionally with all faculty and staff (Mentor evaluation).
• Meet all deadlines successfully (Checklist).

Credit for Third Year Research

All third year research courses and study programs are assigned variable (0.5 to 16.5) credits.  It should be kept in mind that 36 credits are required during the Third Year. Students must register for 16.5 credits in the fall term, 16.5 in the spring and the required thesis will account for three credits in the summer. The Practice Year 3 course is required in the fall and spring at 1.5 credits each semester. For those students who are not able to take Practice Course during their 3^rd year, the number of credits assigned to the Study Program enrollment will increase accordingly. In no case should students register for more or less than a total of 36 credits during the fall, spring and summer terms comprising the third year.