The overall goal of the Scholarly Concentration in Biomedical Research is to engage students in the critical concepts that underpin biomedical and clinical research. Through didactic instruction and faculty-mentored clinical research projects, students will acquire tools essential to undertake biomedical research, including critical reasoning skills, utilizing the scientific method in research study design, research rigor and reproducibility, research ethics, and disseminating research results for peer review. Students will also be introduced to various resources offered through the Indiana CTSI to assist with biomedical research, including human subjects training, the Clinical Research Center, and the Project Development Team. Students are required to apply and participate in Indiana University Medical Student Program for Research and Scholarship (IMPRS) during the summer between their first and second year of medical school.
Locations
All coursework and scholarly work (except the online Fundamentals of Research and Scholarship and the Clinical Research Methods course) takes place at the Indianapolis campus. Prior to acceptance, non-Indianapolis based applicants must sign an agreement form stating that they will attend the required Immersion in Clinical and Patient-Oriented Research in-person sessions in Indianapolis.
Curriculum and Timeline
Most activities, including participation in IMPRS, take place between the first and second years of medical school. For more information on IMPRS, please contact Anne Nguyen, IMPRS program director. Students will engage in a series of discussions designed to equip them for success in the field of biomedical research. Topics include the scientific method, study design, biostatistics, and research ethics. Additionally, students will receive training in the responsible conduct of research and work on a scholarly project at the Indianapolis campus as part of their longitudinal experience. The IMPRS project will extend throughout the Biomedical Research Scholarly Concentration program, serving as both the Scholarly Concentration Project and the final Scholarly Concentration Product.
