Dual Doctor of Medicine and Doctor of Philosophy (MD-PhD)
Doctor of Medicine (MD) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Anatomical Sciences and Neurobiology
Unit(s): School of Medicine
Program Webpage
Academic Plan Code(s): MED_MD and ASNBPHD
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Program Overview
Admission
Dual Degree Requirements
Program of Study
Contact Information
Program Overview
The MD-PhD in Anatomical Sciences and Neurobiology prepares physician‑scientists to investigate how the body’s structural organization and the nervous system’s development and function shape behavior and disease. The program integrates pre‑clinical medical study, advanced doctoral coursework, laboratory research, and clinical rotations to provide comprehensive training in both medicine and neuroscience.
Anatomical sciences and neurobiology brings together the study of gross anatomy, histology, and embryology with key areas of neuroscience, including neural development, sensory systems, neurotrauma, repair, and plasticity. Students build a strong foundation in structure–function relationships across molecular, cellular, and systems levels while engaging in research that spans development, plasticity, sensory and motor systems, and spinal cord injury. Training is grounded in innovative, hands‑on laboratory experience and close faculty mentoring.
Graduates are well prepared for careers that combine clinical practice with biomedical research, academic medicine, anatomical and neuroscience education, and leadership roles in biomedical, governmental, or industry research settings. Students receive full tuition remission, a stipend, and health insurance during the graduate research phase.
For more information on program benefits and examples of student research and publications, visit the MD‑PhD Program website.
Admission
Applicants must meet School of Medicine admission requirements and apply through the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS), including submission of MCAT scores. Applicants indicate interest in the MD-PhD program within the AMCAS application. Selected applicants interview with both the School of Medicine Admissions Committee and the MD-PhD Program Committee. Research experience and interest in a physician‑scientist career are important considerations.
Current UofL medical students may apply after completing the second year of medical school by contacting the MD-PhD Program Director.
Dual Degree Requirements
The MD‑PhD in Anatomical Sciences and Neurobiology dual degree is delivered through an integrated curriculum that allows students to complete requirements for both degrees in fewer total credit hours than would be required if the degrees were completed separately. This structure is made possible by allowing selected courses and training components from the MD curriculum to satisfy requirements for the PhD in Anatomical Sciences and Neurobiology when they meet the same learning outcomes. In this format, the dual degree may be completed in approximately seven (7) to eight (8) years with a minimum of 193.5 total credit hours. Students must also complete all remaining degree requirements for both the MD and the PhD in Anatomical Sciences and Neurobiology, except where those requirements are modified by the approved dual degree structure. Students should consult with the MD‑PhD Program Co‑Directors to develop an individual plan of study.
Minimum Credit Hours and Milestone Requirements
The table below summarizes the minimum credit hours and milestones typically required for the dual degree.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Dual Degree Requirements | Credit Hours / Milestone | |
| MD Requirements | 169.5 | |
| United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step 1 | Passed | |
| PhD Requirements 1 | ||
| ASNB 606 | Anatomy Seminar | 1 |
| ASNB 619 | Original Investigations | 12 |
| ASNB 622 | Analytics in Biomedical Science | 3 |
| BIOC 630 | Responsible Conduct of Research: Survival Skills and Research Ethics | 1 |
| ASNB Upper-Level Guided Electives (select two of the following courses) 2 | 7 | |
| Molecular Neuroscience | ||
or ASNB 617 | Seminar on Developmental Neurobiology | |
or ASNB 630 | Origin of Mammalian Sensory Systems and Comparative Neurobiology | |
or ASNB 666 | Synaptic Organization of the Central Nervous System | |
| PhD Dissertation Research Proposal | Successfully Defended | |
| DOCT 600 | Doctoral Candidacy | 0 |
| PhD Dissertation | Successfully Defended | |
| Minimum Total Hours | 193.5 | |
- 1
A passing score on the USMLE Step 1 examination substitutes for the written PhD qualifying exam requirement, as the exam demonstrates competency in foundational biomedical sciences comparable to the program’s qualifying assessment. In addition, the learning outcomes of Clinical Anatomy, Development, Examination and Neurosciences (IDEP 811) and Molecular Basis of Life, Defense, and Disease (IDEP 812) align with the learning competencies embedded in many required, core, and elective courses in the PhD curriculum. Completion of these courses therefore fulfills a substantial portion of the core course requirements for the PhD in Anatomical Sciences and Neurobiology.
- 2
Students must complete at least six (6) credit hours from the designated upper‑level ASNB guided electives. To maintain the required nine (9) credit hours for full‑time enrollment during the fall and spring semesters, students may complete one (1) additional credit hour of Original Investigations (ASNB 619) if the selected guided electives total only six (6) credit hours rather than seven (7).
Program of Study
The table below outlines the typical sequence of coursework, research, and clinical training required for the MD-PhD dual degree, including important program milestones. Students should consult with the MD‑PhD Program Co‑Directors to develop an individual plan of study.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Prior to Year 1 | Credit Hours / Milestone | |
| Summer | ||
| Summer Biomedical Research 1 | ||
| Year 1 | ||
| Fall - Spring | ||
| Medical School Year One Curriculum 2 | 44 | |
| Summer | ||
| Summer Biomedical Research 1 | ||
| Year 2 | ||
| Fall - Spring | ||
| Medical School Year Two Curriculum 2 | 40 | |
| Summer | ||
| United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step 1 | Passed | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Fall | ||
| ASNB 606 | Anatomy Seminar | 1 |
| ASNB 622 | Analytics in Biomedical Science | 3 |
| ASNB 619 | Original Investigations | 1 |
| ASNB 630 | Origin of Mammalian Sensory Systems and Comparative Neurobiology | 4 |
| or ASNB 614 | Molecular Neuroscience | |
| Spring | ||
| BIOC 630 | Responsible Conduct of Research: Survival Skills and Research Ethics | 1 |
| ASNB 619 | Original Investigations | 5 |
| ASNB 617 | Seminar on Developmental Neurobiology | 3 |
| or ASNB 666 | Synaptic Organization of the Central Nervous System | |
| Summer | ||
| ASNB 619 | Original Investigations | 6 |
| Years 4 - 5/6 | ||
| PhD Dissertation Research Proposal | Successfully Defended | |
| DOCT 600 | Doctoral Candidacy 3 | 0 |
| PhD Dissertation | Successfully Defended | |
| Year 6/7 | ||
| Medical School Year Three Curriculum - Core Clerkships 2 | 55 | |
| Year 7/8 | ||
| Medical School Year Four Curriculum - Clinical Rotations 2 | 30.5 | |
| Residency Interviews | Completed | |
| Minimum Total Hours | 193.5 | |
- 1
Dual degree students are encouraged to participate in the Summer Undergraduate Research Program before the first year of medical school and in the Summer Research Scholar Program between the first and second years. These experiences are not required but are strongly recommended to help prepare students for biomedical research. More information is available on the School of Medicine Research Programs website.
- 2
Find detailed information about the medical school curriculum in the School of Medicine Bulletin.
- 3
Students must remain enrolled in Doctoral Candidacy (DOCT 600) until they successfully defend their dissertation. This stage typically takes two (2) to three (3) years, depending on the scope of the student’s research study.
Contact
MD-PhD Program Co‑Directors:
- Dr. Maxwell Boakye, MD, MBA, FACS, FAANS — (502) 407‑3276
- Dr. Kenneth Palmer, PhD — (502) 852-1339
- Email: mdphd@louisville.edu
Department of Anatomical Sciences and Neurobiology Director of Graduate Studies:
- Robin Krimm, Ph.D. — (502) 852-5180
- Email: robin.krimm@louisville.edu
