Molecular Medicine, PhD

Degree: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Field of Study: Molecular Medicine

Program Overview

Admission into the Molecular Medicine PhD program is obtained through application directly to the program. Graduate students complete didactic coursework, independent research, and other doctoral requirements to earn the PhD. First-year students complete two to four laboratory rotations among the laboratories of training faculty and are exposed to trainer research projects during the Frontiers of Molecular Medicine seminars. The first year of classes begin in the Summer. Students from all years present their research and received feedback in the Student Seminar Series.

During subsequent years, students will devote the majority of their time to thesis research while attending advanced graduate courses, and seminars. Advanced elective courses may be chosen from any department or program on campus with the approval of the graduate program director and the student’s thesis committee over the first two years. Students must take a total of 36 credit hours of courses and pre-candidacy thesis research, including 24 graded credit hours, and maintain a B average.

The qualifying exam will be comprised of preparing and defending a grant application in the NIH format. The topic of the grant is the area of the student’s thesis research.

All efforts should be made to complete the PhD within five years from the date of matriculation. At least one first-author manuscript must be accepted for publication prior to the thesis defense.

Research Rotations

The research rotations allow the student to sample areas of research and become familiar with faculty members and their laboratories. The main purpose of these rotations is to aid the student in selecting a laboratory for the thesis work. Students will begin their rotations in July. At least two rotations are highly recommended prior to choosing the thesis advisor.

Choosing a Thesis Advisor

During or after the second semester of the first year, students select an advisor for their dissertation research. The emphasis of the PhD work is on research, culminating in the completion of an original, independent research thesis.

PRISM Program (Physicians Researchers Innovating in Science and Medicine)

NIH recognizes the need for physician on-ramps into research training, including the option for obtaining a PhD during residency/fellowship. The Molecular Medicine PhD Program offers a track for Cleveland Clinic physician trainees in GME accredited programs, who wish to pursue a PhD in laboratory-based research in the Molecular Medicine PhD Program, a program completely housed and administered at the Cleveland Clinic. If you are a Cleveland Clinic physician trainee and have questions about this opportunity, please email molmedphd@ccf.org.

PhD Policies

For PhD policies and procedures, please review the School of Graduate Studies section of the General Bulletin.

Program Requirements

Course List
Code	Title	Credit Hours
Required Courses
MMED 402	Tools for Research	2
MMED 410	Introduction to Human Physiology and Disease	4
MMED 415	Cell Biology	2
MMED 412	Metabolism	2
MMED 413	Nucleic Acids, Gene Expression, and Gene Regulation	2
MMED 414	Mammalian Genetics	2
MMED 416	Host Defense: Infection and Immunity	2
MMED 501	Principles of Clinical and Translational Research	4
MMED 521	Molecular aspects of the diagnosis, pathology, and treatment of selected human diseases	3
MMED 612	Clinical Experience	2
Total Credit Hours		25

Coursework

Students begin in July by taking MMED 402 and MMED 410. The student will follow a progressive curriculum including Cell Biology; Metabolism and Pharmacology; Nucleic Acids, Gene Expression and Gene Regulation; Mammalian Genetics; and Infection and Immunity. In the second summer, students take Principles of Clinical and Translational Research. During year 2, students are required to take MMED 521, focusing on molecular mechanisms of human disease, and an independent study mentored MMED 612.

Sample Plan of Study

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Fall		Credit Hours
MMED 400	Research Rotations	0
MMED 402	Tools for Research	2
MMED 410	Introduction to Human Physiology and Disease	4
MMED 415	Cell Biology	2
MMED 504	Student Seminar Series	1
	Credit Hours	9
Spring
MMED 400	Research Rotations	0
MMED 412	Metabolism	2
MMED 413	Nucleic Acids, Gene Expression, and Gene Regulation	2
MMED 414	Mammalian Genetics	2
MMED 416	Host Defense: Infection and Immunity	2
MMED 504	Student Seminar Series	1
	Credit Hours	9
Second Year
Fall
MMED 501	Principles of Clinical and Translational Research	4
MMED 521	Molecular aspects of the diagnosis, pathology, and treatment of selected human diseases	3
MMED 601	Dissertation Research	2
	Credit Hours	9
Spring
MMED 612	Clinical Experience	2
MMED 601	Dissertation Research	7
Advanced Electives (approved by program director)		varies
	Credit Hours	9
Third Year
Fall
MMED 701	Dissertation Ph.D.	1 - 9
Advanced Electives (if necessary)
	Credit Hours	1-9
Spring
MMED 701	Dissertation Ph.D.	1 - 9
Advanced Electives (if necessary)
	Credit Hours	1-9
	Total Credit Hours	38-54

Third Year and beyond: Complete elective coursework so total graded courses equal at least 24 credit hours; Research credits switch from MMED 601 to MMED 701 once passed into candidacy. Minimum of 1 credit hour of MMED 701 is required each regular semester thereafter for a total of 18 credit hours to graduate.

2024-25 General Bulletin