Program Overview

Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP)

The Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) is a highly competitive program that provides students with the opportunity to pursue both the M.D. and Ph.D. degrees. The program is designed for students who are interested in careers in basic biomedical research and wish to become physician-scientists.

Overview

The MSTP at UAB is a designated NIH Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) that provides fellowship support, including a stipend and payment of tuition and fees, to successful applicants. The program typically takes about 8 years to complete, depending on the time required to complete the dissertation research.

Admission Criteria

To be eligible for the MSTP, applicants must have excellent undergraduate academic records and MCAT scores. In addition, successful applicants must have demonstrated their commitment to a career pathway as an investigator with active participation in an original research project prior to admission.

Program Structure

The program is divided into three phases:

1. The first phase involves completing the basic science phase of the medical curriculum and the first-year core curriculum of the chosen Ph.D. discipline simultaneously.
2. The second phase focuses on mentor selection, research path, and completion of a dissertation research project leading to the Ph.D. degree.
3. The final phase involves a series of clinical rotations and an abbreviated set of acting internships to complete the M.D. degree.

Research Areas

Ph.D. study in the MSTP is available in the following areas:

• Biochemistry, structural, and stem cell biology
• Biomedical engineering
• Biostatistics
• Cancer biology
• Cell, molecular, and developmental biology
• Epidemiology
• Genomics and bioinformatics
• Health behavior
• Immunology
• Microbiology
• Neuroscience
• Nutrition sciences
• Pathobiology and molecular medicine
• Public health
• Sociology
• Vision science

Courses

The following courses are required for MSTP students:

• MSTP 793: Basic Research Forum: This course is designed for entering MD-PhD students to meet the GBS Core-Course requirements.
• MSTP 794: Translational Research Seminar: This course invites UAB faculty to present their translational research to students in the MSTP.
• MSTP 795: Continuing Clinical Education: This course is designed to maintain clinical skills and knowledge during students' dissertation research years.
• MSTP 796: Anatomy Lab TA Opportunity: This course provides MS4 students with the opportunity to serve as Anatomy Teaching Associates for MS1 and MS2 students.
• MSTP 798: MSTP Non-Dissertation Hours: This course is for laboratory research pre-qualification and is only open to MSTP students.
• MSTP 799: MSTP Dissertation Hours: This course is for dissertation research and is only open to MSTP students.

Themes

The MSTP offers several themes, including:

• Biochemistry & Structural Biology (BSB) Theme: This theme requires students to complete 76 hours of coursework, including module courses, theme required courses, and MSTP/ARISE required courses.
• Cancer Biology (CANB) Theme: This theme requires students to complete 76 hours of coursework, including module courses, theme required courses, and MSTP/ARISE required courses.
• Cell, Molecular & Developmental Biology (CMDB) Theme: This theme requires students to complete 77 hours of coursework, including module courses, theme required courses, and MSTP/ARISE required courses.
• Genetics, Genomics and Bioinformatics (GGB) Theme: This theme requires students to complete 77 hours of coursework, including module courses, theme required courses, and MSTP/ARISE required courses.
• Immunology (IMM) Theme: This theme requires students to complete 76 hours of coursework, including module courses, theme required courses, and MSTP/ARISE required courses.
• Microbiology (MIC) Theme: This theme requires students to complete 78 hours of coursework, including module courses, theme required courses, and MSTP/ARISE required courses.
• Neuroscience (NEURO) Theme: This theme requires students to complete 79 hours of coursework, including module courses, theme required courses, and MSTP/ARISE required courses.
• Pathobiology, Pharmacology, & Physiology (P3) Theme: This theme requires students to complete 76 hours of coursework, including module courses, theme required courses, and MSTP/ARISE required courses.