Honors in Research Program
Medical students who participate in the summer research program for 10-12 weeks are encouraged to apply for the optional Honors in Research Program, which requires the completion of 16 weeks of mentored research training (on one project or two closely related projects) and the submission of an approved research thesis by November 1 of the M4 year. The goal of the Honors program is 1) to allow students to explore additional aspects of their project that potentially may generate new data or add knowledge to their investigation, and 2) to further enhance the student’s overall research experience. Honors candidates must maintain a satisfactory academic record throughout the medical education program. Students will be recognized at graduation with the M.D. with Research Distinction on their diploma, pending the satisfactory completion of the above requirements.
Approved honors candidates who completed 12 weeks of research during the summer may complete the additional training time by taking a 4-week graded research elective during the M3 year. For 10-week summer research trainees, an additional two weeks of research may be completed on personal time or as a Physician Scientist Pathway activity, in addition to completing the 4-week graded research elective. The learning activities are determined by the research mentor. The preceptor completes the standard third-year evaluation currently used for graded electives. Students are graded on the standard five-point grading scale.
The additional weeks of research training are intended to extend the research experience, not to provide time to complete the earlier summer work or write the thesis. The Honors application must describe the completion of the specific aims outlined in the initial summer research project, as well as the new specific aims, methods, and role of the student. Simply requesting further research time to complete the specific aims in the initial summer application will not be approved for Honors, as the project was reviewed to be a 10 – 12 week research experience.
Both the initial summer project and the subsequent research elective need to be reviewed and approved before the actual research is performed. The approval for the additional four or six-week research block that qualifies for Honors will be reviewed and approved by a member of the Honors committee with the submission of the Honors application. Completion of work not previously approved, or without notification to the Summer Research Program about the change in summer objectives, will not be considered in compliance with this policy.
The submission of a thesis encompassing the entire 16 weeks of research is required by November 1 of the M4 year. The actual writing of the thesis is not included in the 16 weeks of research time. The thesis will be reviewed by the Honors Committee and must be approved by February 1 of the M4 year in order for the M.D. with Research Distinction to be awarded at graduation and noted on the diploma.
Students interested in pursuing the Honors in Research Program may apply mid-way or at the end of the summer training period, using the guidelines and application.
Preceptors must provide a letter of support demonstrating their willingness to mentor and monitor their Honors applicant throughout the added training and thesis writing process. The letter should also clearly indicate the student’s and preceptor’s roles in the project, as well as how the student will be involved in the overall research environment.