Clinical Scientist Training (CST)

This course is required of Penn State College of Medicine students who are in the Clinician Scientist Pathway. A student must plan and carry out a research project in which the student makes significant contributions to data collection, analysis, and preparation of a research project and reports on research in progress. Students may choose to perform research in any health-related area, including basic science, clinical science, systems science, humanities, medical education or social sciences research. As a prerequisite for this course, students must have been accepted into the Clinician Scientist Pathway. As part of the criteria for acceptance, students must complete a preliminary research proposal which is reviewed by the Director for Medical Student Research and the student's research mentor. During the Clinician Scientist-1 course, the student will work with a mentor to develop a final research proposal that is specific and attainable in the time specified. The final proposal will include a concise statement of the research question, background and significance which includes an extensive literature review, methods, and a statement of student and mentor responsibilities. Students will also provide two concise research updates, one mid-course and one at end of course, to report on their research in progress.

This course is required of Penn State College of Medicine students who are in the Clinician Scientist Pathway. A student must carry out and document a research project in which the student makes significant contributions to data collection, analysis, and manuscript preparation. The student will write a report that must be approved by their mentor and the Director of Medical Student Research to ensure that the student's research efforts were consequential.