A Ph.D. in Medical Science degree can either be earned along with a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) as part of a joint degree program, or as a terminal doctorate degree. Doctoral programs in medical science are interdisciplinary in nature and research intensive.
Some Ph.D. programs require students to teach a given number of undergraduate courses. Both independent research and a dissertation are required to earn a Ph.D. in Medical Science. Some programs also require an internship. The minimum educational prerequisite for a doctoral program in medical science is a bachelor's degree, but many schools require applicants to hold a master's degree in a biomedical, medical or health science field. A minimum 3.0 GPA is also required. Those schools that require a bachelor's degree typically also have a list of prerequisite courses, such as general biology and general chemistry. Other required courses depend upon the program, but may include quantitative analysis, organic chemistry, general physics and math, with calculus recommended.
Ph.D. Degree Programs
A Doctor of Philosophy in Medical Science program is designed for students who wish to conduct research in biomedicine. Doctoral students are often able to tailor their programs according to their interests and needs. The interdisciplinary programs integrate a number of fields of medicine, such as pain management, molecular medicine or cancer biology. Required courses for a Ph.D. in Medical Science vary a great deal by school. The specialty field the student has chosen generally determines the nature of the coursework. Required courses for all programs usually are:
Those who have graduated with a Ph.D. in Medical Science and want to focus on research may wish to pursue a M.D. program. A medical degree provides more direct access to patients, which can help facilitate research. Individuals who wish to play a more managerial role may take business courses or pursue a business degree.Medical science Ph.D. programs are usually offered alongside M.D. programs, allowing students an interdisciplinary education in different aspects of medicine and physiology. Students graduating with these degrees can pursue careers in medicine or medical science.
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