The Office of Research and Development

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• M.D. Honors Thesis
  • Guidelines
    
    
  • Criteria
    
    
  
  
• College of Medicine Student Summer Research Program
  
  

A successful M.D. thesis proposal describes the scholarly medical research a student plans to complete by January of their senior year of medical school.  The work must be done during medical school and the student must have the major role in its design and execution. 

The research proposal should describe the project in enough detail that reviewers can judge whether it is likely to succeed.  It is due on or before the first Monday in January of the student's junior year, but may be submitted at any time before that.  Early submission is recommended to allow time for revision if the first submission requires revision.  Thesis proposals based on work completed prior to submission of the proposal will not be approved.   

• Title page
  
  Title of proposal
  Student's name
  Date of M.D.
  Faculty advisor
  Sponsoring department 

• Abstract
  
  The abstract should summarize the project.  It should state the study question or hypothesis, the methods to be used, how the results will be interpreted and the overall significance of the project.  The abstract should contain 200 words or less. 

• Introduction
  
  The introduction should explain why the project is important, describe previous relevant work and any preliminary results the student has already done on the proposal topic, review the pertinent literature and state the research hypotheses or study questions. 

• Methods (research plan)
  
  This section should detail the methods to be used, explain experimental techniques, outline how subjects, if any, will be selected, and how the data will be analyzed.    Include plans for obtaining approval (IRB, animal welfare committee, etc.) if needed.  Describe anticipated results or findings and how they will be interpreted. 

• Implementation schedule
  
  Outline project milestones and provide a schedule of the time needed for completion, taking into account any work already underway. 

• Letter of support from faculty sponsor
  
  The letter should cover the following questions:

  • What is the student's role in the project?

  • Is there adequate laboratory space, equipment, and funding?

  • Whose idea was it and how was the student involved in project planning? (The student must have the major role in the design and performance of the research)

  • Is the faculty member committed to establishing a close working arrangement with the student and supervising all aspects of the project?

  • What will the student learn and how will the student benefit?

  • Has the advisor read, edited, and is willing to state that the proposal is in final acceptable form?

  This letter should also suggests names of faculty members who, because of their expertise, would be appropriate as reviewers of the Honors thesis.