Academic Research Careers for Medical Doctors (ARC-MD)

The goal of the UC Davis School of Medicine Academic Research Careers for Medical Doctors (ARC-MD) program is to provide medical students with the foundational skills and professional development that promote a successful career as a physician scientist. The five-year program provides students with research and career mentorship, special experiences, a unique curriculum, and community engagement within a supportive longitudinal learning community.

ARC-MD is a five-year program for UC Davis medical students.

The traditional M.D. curriculum is adapted for research students enrolled in ARC-MD in order to provide an exciting student centered active learning environment that connects clinical care to research opportunities:

MS 1

• Entry to ARC-MD three week orientation, integration, and exploration
• Academic year includes participation in the longitudinal learning community, journal club and scholarly presentations.
• Summer research project focus between years 1 and 2
• ARC-MD specific doctoring lead by program faculty

MS 2

• Academic year includes participation in the longitudinal learning community, journal club and scholarly presentations and doctoring 2 led by ARC-MD faculty
• Presentation of research at the UCD SOM Medical Student Research Forum in March
• Submission of research findings for peer reviewed publication

MS 3

• Mentored research selective project (4 weeks)
• Submit research proposal for TL-1 funding (February)
• Research correlation with clinical rotations

Research Intensive Year

• Mentored research project with coursework in research principles
• Opportunity for Masters in Clinical Research (MAS)

MS 4

• The Scholarly Project/Special Study Module allows students to engage in focused learning on a topic of their choosing over the final 12-16 weeks of medical school
• Academic year includes participation in the longitudinal learning community, journal club and scholarly presentations.

• A mentorship community of key teaching faculty who are also physician researchers
• Research and community service opportunities
• Professional development opportunities and advising
• Scholarship support, contingent upon student’s continued participation in program activities
• A stipend to undertake a research intensive year in a UC Davis faculty laboratory between year 3 and 4

• Commit 5 years to the program
• Engage in research activities as outlined in the curriculum
• Maintain good academic standing
• Advise ARC-MD faculty if your educational goals change
• Attend all regularly scheduled meetings, program workshops and functions