LECOM offers a research-focused curriculum concurrent with the DO program for students who aim to have a strong research background and/or are interested in a career as a physician-researcher. The Master of Science in Biomedical Science (MSBS) program is a graduate-level program available only to current first-year medical students at the Erie Campus that serves as a structured research experience. Through coursework, research design and experience, and a comprehensive research project, the program will produce graduates qualified for clinical medicine and develop independent research programs.
The MSBS program will comprise two overlapping phases:
Phase 1 – Mastery of Research Skills this phase, students will first take courses in Research Techniques, Application of Biostatistics, and Journal Club. These courses will foster the necessary skills to develop a hypothesis-based research plan and the attitudes required for ethical involvement in biomedical research.
Phase 2 – Development and completion of a Thesis Project this phase, students (with their Research Advisor) will develop a hypothesis-driven research project, conduct experiments, analyze data and defend their research in an open defence. This phase will include Research, Data Club, and Thesis courses.