The Interdisciplinary Scientist Training Program

The Interdisciplinary Scientist Training Program (ISTP) is the doctoral program of the University of Chicago’s Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP). The goal of the NIH-supported MD/PhD program is to train the next generation of physician-scientist leaders.   Graduates of the MSTP are awarded a MD from the Pritzker School of Medicine and a PhD from the Interdisciplinary Scientist Training Program (ISTP).

MSTP students take graduate courses and perform their PhD thesis work under the umbrella of the ISTP. This novel, highly adaptable program allows students full access to the superb graduate programs within the Division of the Biological Sciences, the Division of the Physical Sciences, and the Pritzker School for Molecular Engineering. Via their specialization, the ISTP allows students to pursue training in one field or to craft a unique course of study that integrates two classical disciplines. Examples of the latter include computational biology and human genetics, structural biology and immunology, or developmental biology and microbiology. Such integrations reflect the evolution of biomedical research in which several disciplines are brought to bear on important questions in human disease.

The first year of the program combines medical and graduate school coursework. Students then typically begin their PhD thesis research work and return to the second year of medical school after a successful PhD defense. This structure ensures a focused, intensive research experience and preserves the continuity of clinical training. Typically, MSTP trainees complete both degrees in eight years.

Program of Study

The goal of the Interdisciplinary Scientist Training Program is to train the next generation of physician-scientist leaders. Our program is designed to provide all ISTP students with rigorous scientific training that prepares them to excel in their field of interest, while providing the flexibility to forge new connections between traditional scientific areas.

Curriculum

In the Summer Quarter, prior to the start of medical school, incoming students begin an MSTP-only anatomy course, and finish the course with their medical school colleagues in August. During the Autumn, Winter, and Spring Quarters, students take graduate school courses in addition to their medical school courses. Typically, a total of 3-5 graduate school courses will be finished by the end of the first year. The MSTP Faculty Associate Director for Curriculum will meet individually with each student every quarter before registration for the coming quarter to determine which course will best ensure that the student is adequately prepared to embark on their graduate work when they join a lab.

Each ISTP student completes two lab rotations during the summer between their first and second year. These rotations allow students to identify their future PhD mentors in their area of interest.

All first year ISTP students participate in the Variable Topics Journal Club course. This course provides an in-depth primary-literature based examination of basic science courses that complement the Pritzker  curriculum, and allows students to develop an appreciation for the primary literature, learn to critically evaluate articles, learn more about experimental design, learn how to evaluate and present an overview of a field, and become proficient in overall presentation skills.

Specializations

ISTP requires students to choose an area of specialization, typically aligned somewhat with a graduate program, providing an additional intellectual community.  Specializations, in general, consist of 5 courses: 3-4 that are programmatic, and 1-2 that are elective/basic advanced knowledge courses. However, some specializations require more coursework due to the nature of the research area. All courses will be graduate courses offered by an established PhD program. In addition to the coursework, specializations require that the student participate in programmatic activities such as research-in-progress, journal club, retreats (if available), seminar series, etc. All students must present their research annually in a program-approved venue.

Breaking from Medical School to Complete Graduate Research

At the University of Chicago, students in the MSTP have the flexibility to choose to break from medical school to pursue their graduate research in ISTP either after the first year of medical school or after Spring Quarter of their second year of medical school. Most students take 4 years to complete their PhD research and will successfully defend their dissertation prior to returning to medical school.

Admission

Admission to the ISTP is exclusively through the joint application process with the Pritzker School of Medicine via the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS).  Applicants cannot apply through the UChicago BSD graduate application process.

More Information

Further information can be found at the MSTP website.