MD with Special Training in Research program (MD/STIR)

The MD with Special Training in Research program (MD/STIR) is designed for Year 1 medical students in the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry (FoMD) who wish to participate in research above and beyond what is offered within the MD Program. In the MD/STIR, students join a research team and directly engage in biomedical research over 24 weeks. Upon successful completion of the MD degree and all requirements of the MD/STIR, graduates will receive the designation of “Special Training in Research” on their degree parchment and transcript.

Students must conduct 16 weeks of full-time research in the summer following their first year in the MD program. Completing the remaining eight weeks of research in the summer of year two, part-time during year two, or part-time during academic years two and three.

Admission Requirements

• Year 1 MD student.
• Primary research supervisor for the identified project is a full-time academic member of the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry (FoMD).
• Identified research project is hypothesis-driven and involves the collection and analysis of primary data.

What You’ll Learn

• Greater awareness of the importance of research to MD students.
• Opportunities to participate in fundamental or clinical research.
• Provide formative feedback to help develop critical thinking, writing and presentation skills.
• Practical understanding of the scientific process including development, formulation and testing of hypotheses, experimental design, validation, presentation, analysis and interpretation of results.