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School of Medicine School of Medicine
  1. School of Medicine
  2. Education
  3. MD & Combined Programs
  4. MSTP (MD & PhD)
  5. Program
  6. Curriculum

MSTP Curriculum

The curriculum of the UC San Diego MSTP integrates research training with medical education. The chart below outlines the SOM and Grad Program Curriculum of the MSTP. Most trainees earn both M.D. and Ph.D. degrees in about 8 years.

Note: All students are also required to complete a one-week Bioinformatics Bootcamp in early August prior to Year 1 (MS1).

Outline of requirements for MSTP Year 1, Year 2, Graduate Years, Year 3 and Year 4
Year Summer Fall Winter Spring
Year 1 First Lab Rotation Foundational Sciences
(block courses)

Foundations of Human Biology;
Cardiovascular Systems;
Pulmonary Systems;
Gastrointestinal Systems;
Progress Week		 Foundational Sciences
(block courses)

Renal System I;
Epidemiology, Biostats and Informatics;
Mind Brain and Behavior I;
Progress Week

Foundational Sciences
 (block courses)

Endocrinology, Reproduction, and Metabolism;
Immunology;
Hematology;
Microbiology;
Progress Week
Longitudinal Courses
Diagnostics, Humanistic Anatomy, Equity and Systems Science, Practice of Medicine, Compassionate Action and Real Engagement (CARE), Electives/Academic Concentration
Year 2 Second & Third Lab Rotations

Foundational Sciences (block courses)


Principals of Clinical Oncology;
Arthritis, Rehumatology, and Dermatologic Disorders;
Gastrointestinal Disorders;
Endocrinology, Reproduction and Metabolism II;
Cardiovascular II;
Progress Week

Foundational Sciences
(block courses)


Mind Brain and Behavior II;
Pulmonary Disease;
Renal Disease;
Multi-Organ System Disorders;
Progress Week

Foundational Sciences
(block courses)


Comprehensive Review & Study for USMLE Step 1;
USMLE Step 1 Exam
Apply to Graduate Programs Clinical Transitions Week 
Longitudinal Courses
Diagnostics; Clinical Decision Making; Equity and Systems Science; Practice of Medicine; Compassionate Action and Real Engagement (CARE); Electives / Academic Concentrations 		 Choose Graduate Program (April)
Choose Thesis Lab (June)
Graduate Years Complete Graduate Program requirements and PhD work.
Students can choose to work in the Student Run-Free Clinic Project to maintain clinical exposure during graduate years.
Year 3*
Core Clinical Clerkships		 Medicine (9 weeks);
Clinical Selective (3 weeks)		 Surgery (6 weeks);
Clinical Selective (3 weeks);
Neurology (3 weeks)		 Pediatrics (6 weeks);
Psychiatry (6 weeks)

Clinical Selective (3 weeks);
Family Medicine (3 weeks);
Reproductive Medicine (6 weeks)
Mentor Clinician Program
USMLE Step 2 (flexible timing)
* Individual learner schedule will vary the order of clerkships and selectives
Year 4
Clinical Electives		 4 Clinical Electives
(4 weeks each)		 Research / Concentration Capstone Clinical Elective (4 weeks);
Principles to Practice (4 weeks) 

Residency Transition Course (4 weeks);
Clinical Elective (4 weeks)
Residency Interviews
Academic Concentration Capstone