One of the College's major missions is to promote and conduct basic, clinical and translational research, and its students are encouraged to participate in this activity during some phase of their education. The College's commitment to medical student research is amply demonstrated by the award of fellowships for short- and long-term projects, the award of diplomas that signify distinction in specific research disciplines, the provision of travel grants for paper or poster presentations at scientific meetings, and the requirement that each student write a paper of scholarly substance prior to graduation.

The College of Medicine's emphasis on research as part of the curriculum is, we believe, compatible with its generalist physician initiatives. An experience in research is no less important for students interested in careers as practicing  physicians than for those preparing for careers in investigative medicine; it is no less important for students interested in the practice of primary health care than for those planning to enter the most technologically based clinical subspecialties. Continuing advances in the scientific basis of clinical medicine compels physicians of today and even more so of the future to develop superb skills in evaluating new clinical information critically and with scientific acumen. A strong research experience while in medical school can facilitate enormously the acquisition of such skills.

For additional information about research opportunities, see Medical Student Projects Program.