MD/PhD Program

Bangchen Wang and Yuan YingThe Integrative Physiology & Molecular Medicine (IPMM) Doctoral Program participates in the MD/PhD Scholars Program administered by the College of Medicine. In addition, students enrolled in or accepted into the College of Medicine can apply directly to the IPMM Doctoral Program to work toward the combined MD/PhD degrees. Applications are reviewed by the IPMM Graduate Committee separate from the College of Medicine application procedures. Admission into this combined degree program requires approval by the Dean for Graduate Studies and the Dean of the College of Medicine  The general structure of the program is described at the MD/PhD Scholars website. The student should plan to spend 3-4 years working on dissertation research, and will receive stipend support during this period. For details, see the UNMC Graduate Studies Catalog.

IPMM Curriculum for MD/PhD Students:
Upon successful completion of the first 2 years of the medical school curriculum, the IPMM Graduate Committee will waive the requirement for completing the IPMM core curriculum (Graduate Physiology I and II, Fundamentals of Biomolecules, Molecular Cell Biology, Fundamentals of Receptors & Cell Signaling, and Pharmacology).  Students will register each semester for a Seminar/Journal Club course, and be required to successfully complete either the Cardiopulmonary Function in Health and Disease course or the Physiology and Pathophysiology of the Kidney course.  In addition, MD/PhD students will complete additional course requirements defined by their Supervisory Committee.  Students must complete the Comprehensive Exam by the end of his/her 2nd year in the graduate program and must meet all other IPMM degree requirements, including the 1st author research publication requirement and a successful dissertation defense.