The M.D./Ph.D. Program of the Mount Sinai School of Medicine (MSSM) Graduate School of Biological Sciences continues in its commitment to educate future physician-scientists in a rigorous integrated joint degree program in an environment that promotes cutting-edge research. A cross-disciplinary approach is taken to address complex biomedical problems, promote collaborations throughout the institution, and expose students to translational initiatives. Our graduates are thus uniquely poised to embark on careers as independent investigators and leaders in the effort to apply new basic science discoveries to clinical care.

MSSM provides an ideal environment for training of M.D./Ph.D. students; the institution offers diverse scientific opportunities in an outstanding research environment, with unique focus and strength in translational medicine and faculty who are dedicated to training our future physician-scientists. The MSSM M.D./Ph.D. Training Program seeks to offer each student a wealth of options in developing an optimal program of predoctoral training to meet his/her individual goals. The Graduate School has adopted a model for its predoctoral training programs that reflects the multidisciplinary and collaborative nature of contemporary biomedical sciences. In accordance with the recommendation of major study groups of the National Academy of Sciences and others, our students are encouraged to pursue a course of study that focuses on rigorous mastery of the art, craft, and conceptual framework of an important research problem. They are sensitized to the broader biomedical context through the multidisciplinary Core Curriculum and training area organization. The predoctoral education prepares our students to take creative and sophisticated approaches to new scientific problems in a variety of career settings. All graduating students are awarded the M.D. degree and the Ph.D. degree in either Biomedical Sciences or Neurosciences by the Mount Sinai School of Medicine of New York University.

There are currently 83 students matriculated in the Mount Sinai M.D./Ph.D. Training Program. The total training faculty encompasses 200 research laboratories. Mount Sinai's research faculty is in a period of active growth in numerous important areas of research. Thus students enjoy interactions with new faculty and the novel programs and viewpoints they bring to the School throughout their tenure at Mount Sinai.

Admissions Features

Most of our students enter as direct "extramural" applicants to the M.D./Ph.D. Training Program, having completed undergraduate and perhaps some graduate studies or postgraduate research/study. Mount Sinai medical students with significant past research experience and demonstrated commitment to pursuing a career as a physician-scientist may also apply to the M.D./Ph.D. Training Program in Year 2 (for entry into the M.D./Ph.D. Training Program in Year 3).

Most M.D./Ph.D. students enter the Program in the "Flexible Entry" track. While expressions of interest in particular training areas are important both for the recruitment/admissions process and for establishment of the best initial Advisory Committee, the Program's flexibility allows the students freedom to explore research options during the Research Rotation period. Students interested in the PhD in Neurosciences typically declare their interest from the start and pursue a Neurosciences-specific training curriculum.

All students are supported at the same level. The uniformity of support and the help in meeting any extraordinary needs without compromising this important principle contribute to the high morale in the M.D./Ph.D. Training Program.

Choice of Mentor

Mount Sinai offers a strong advisory system throughout the duration of the Program. Each student selects a Preclinical Advisor from the moment of arrival. During the Ph.D. phase of the Program, each student retains his/her Preclinical Advisor but also assembles, after discussion with the research mentor, a Ph.D. Advisory Committee.

The choice of a research mentor is facilitated by review of the Graduate Research Faculty Handbook (updated yearly as an e-resource), discussion with the Program Director and Preclinical Advisor, the Pre-Freshman Summer Rotation (required), the Laboratory Rotation during the summer between Years 1 and 2, a Year 1 Directed Reading course with faculty whose research interests match those of the student, and the Medical Scientist Research Seminar Series, which introduces new faculty to the group and provides an opportunity for current dual degree students to present their research.

Program Features

• Diverse scientific research and clinical training opportunities in an outstanding and exciting environment, with unique focus and strength in translational medicine.
• Integration of the graduate school curriculum into the preclinical years with research rotations, special seminars, journal club activities, and opportunities to complete the Ph.D. Core Requirement.
• Innovative M.D./Ph.D.-specific educational initiatives (e.g., a course designed to introduce students to the "nuts and bolts" of clinical investigation).
• Strong ethics program.
• Flexible opportunities for clinical involvement during major research phase.
• Extensive clinical refresher program for students preparing to re-enter Medical School Year 3 (Clinical Clerkships) after a hiatus.
• Opportunities to teach/tutor in pre-clinical courses and journal clubs.
• Seminars featuring successful clinician-scientists, often Program graduates, who represent various professional activities.
• Annual meetings with Program leadership to evaluate the year's successes and failures and to discuss Program features that might be modified for further enhancement.
• Student participation in Graduate School and M.D./Ph.D. Program Steering and Curriculum Committees. 
• Flexibility with respect to entry into clinical clerkships and the option of condensing the clinical training period to one and one-half years to accommodate completion of the research project.*

*Provided that students will have decided on their postgraduate specialty training and will have had adequate time for sub-internship experiences required to prepare them for postgraduate clinical work.

Graduates

We are delighted with the outstanding success of our graduates who are now members of the faculty at numerous top tier medical schools and research institutes, and who are contributing importantly to the knowledge base in the biomedical sciences.