ARC-MD Research Pathway Curriculum

ARC-MD is a five-year research pathway program available to UC Davis medical students. In addition to the traditional MD curriculum that provides excellent clinical training at UC Davis, ARC-MD students have an enhanced curriculum aimed at honing research skills with an additional research-intensive year between their 3rd and 4th years of medical school. The ARC-MD curriculum in Years 1-3 provides the strong foundation for their research year. In addition to providing specialized training on research, students have the opportunity to meet academic research faculty through career panel discussions, and are introduced to resiliency tools to ensure a successful academic career.

This is a sample of a first year schedule in the five year ARC-MD research pathway timeline.

View a sample of the full five year schedule (pdf).

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

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