Dual Doctor of Medicine and Doctor of Philosophy (MD-PhD)
Doctor of Medicine (MD) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Microbiology and Immunology
Unit(s): School of Medicine
Program Webpage
Academic Plan Code(s): MED_MD and MBIOPHD
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Program Overview
Admission
Dual Degree Requirements
Program of Study
Contact Information
Program Overview
The dual MD‑PhD in Microbiology and Immunology prepares physician‑scientists to investigate how microbes and the immune system influence human health, disease, and therapeutic response. The program integrates pre‑clinical medical study, advanced doctoral coursework, laboratory research, and clinical rotations to provide comprehensive training in both medicine and the biomedical sciences.
Microbiology and immunology encompass the study of microbial pathogenesis, host immune defense, inflammation, vaccine development, immune regulation, and molecular mechanisms of infection and immunity. Students train across a broad range of research areas using state‑of‑the‑art microbiological, immunological, and molecular technologies. The program emphasizes rigorous laboratory experience, innovative investigative approaches, and close faculty mentoring that support the development of critical research skills.
Graduates are well prepared for careers that combine clinical practice with biomedical research, academic medicine, translational infectious disease and immunology research, public health and vaccine development, and leadership roles in governmental, industry, and biotechnology settings. Students receive full tuition remission, a competitive stipend, and health insurance during the graduate research phase.
For more information on program benefits and examples of student research and publications from the dual‑degree program, visit the MD‑PhD Program website.
Admission
Applicants must meet the 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 Microbiology and Immunology 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 Microbiology and Immunology 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 Microbiology and Immunology, 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 | ||
| MBIO 606 | Seminar | 2 |
| MBIO 619 | Research 2 | 17 |
| BIOC 630 | Responsible Conduct of Research: Survival Skills and Research Ethics | 1 |
| MBIO 623 | Scientific Writing and Hypothesis Testing | 2 |
| MBIO Upper-Level Electives 2 | 2 | |
| PhD Qualifying Exam | Passed | |
| 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 PhD qualifying exam requirement, as the exam demonstrates competency in foundational biomedical sciences comparable to the program's doctoral candidacy 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 of many required 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 Microbiology and Immunology.
- 2
Students may substitute up to four (4) additional credit hours of upper‑level MBIO electives for four (4) credit hours of Research (MBIO 619). All students must complete a minimum of two (2) credit hours of upper‑level MBIO electives and a minimum of thirteen (13) credit hours of Research (MBIO 619), with a total of twenty‑one (21) credit hours completed across the two categories.
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 | ||
| MBIO 606 | Seminar | 1 |
| MBIO 619 | Research | 6 |
| MBIO 619 | Research 3 | 2 |
| or MBIO 622 | Immunity to Microbes and Tumor | |
| Spring | ||
| BIOC 630 | Responsible Conduct of Research: Survival Skills and Research Ethics | 1 |
| MBIO 606 | Seminar | 1 |
| MBIO 623 | Scientific Writing and Hypothesis Testing | 2 |
| MBIO 619 | Research | 1 |
| MBIO 619 | Research 3 | 4 |
| or MBIO 687 | Microbial Pathogenesis | |
| or MBIO 621 | Advanced Immunology: Innate and Adaptive Immunity | |
| Summer | ||
| MBIO 619 | Research | 6 |
| PhD Qualifying Exam | Passed | |
| PhD Dissertation Research Proposal | Successfully Defended | |
| Years 4 - 5/6 | ||
| DOCT 600 | Doctoral Candidacy 4 | 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 may substitute up to four (4) additional credit hours of upper‑level MBIO electives for four (4) credit hours of Research (MBIO 619). All students must complete a minimum of two (2) credit hours of upper‑level MBIO electives and a minimum of thirteen (13) credit hours of Research (MBIO 619), with a total of twenty‑one (21) credit hours completed across the two categories.
- 4
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 Microbiology and Immunology Director of Graduate Studies:
- Dr. Matthew Lawrenz, PhD — (502) 852-5548
- Email: matt.lawrenz@louisville.edu
