Clinician Scientist I

Catalog description

This course is required of Penn State College of Medicine students who are in the Clinician Scientist Pathway. A student must plan and carry out a research project in which the student makes significant contributions to data collection, analysis, and preparation of a research project and reports on research in progress. Students may choose to perform research in any health-related area, including basic science, clinical science, systems science, humanities, medical education or social sciences research. As a prerequisite for this course, students must have been accepted into the Clinician Scientist Pathway. As part of the criteria for acceptance, students must complete a preliminary research proposal which is reviewed by the Director for Medical Student Research and the student's research mentor. During the Clinician Scientist-1 course, the student will work with a mentor to develop a final research proposal that is specific and attainable in the time specified. The final proposal will include a concise statement of the research question, background and significance which includes an extensive literature review, methods, and a statement of student and mentor responsibilities. Students will also provide two concise research updates, one mid-course and one at end of course, to report on their research in progress.