MED-MS - Medicine (MS)

Master of Science in Medicine with a subplan in Biomedical Investigation

The goal of the Stanford Berg Scholars Program (Master of Science in Medicine with a subplan in Biomedical Investigation) is to address decreasing numbers of physician-scientists by shortening the training period without compromising quality of research, focusing instead on individualized career development of our M.D.-only physician-scientists by placing them in outstanding research groups led by experienced faculty.

Berg Scholars must complete all Stanford University requirements for the Master in Science (M.S.) in Medicine in Biomedical Investigation while pursuing their M.D. Students must adhere to the University's residency requirements. Units may not be duplicated or double-counted toward the residency requirement for both degrees. Students must complete the master’s degree requirements within three years of the first graduate quarter of the M.S.

Degree Requirements

Berg Scholars must complete all Stanford University requirements for the Master in Science (M.S.) in Medicine in Biomedical Investigation while pursuing their M.D. Students must adhere to the University's residency requirements. Units may not be duplicated or double-counted toward the residency requirement for both degrees. Students must complete the master’s degree requirements within three years of the first graduate quarter of the M.S.

Course Requirements

Students are required to complete 280 minimum units (combined M.S. and M.D.) to graduate. These unit are broken down as follows:

• 45 unduplicated units taken in specific courses for the M.S. degree

  • 33 units in research

  •  12 units of coursework (11 required plus 1 elective)

• 235 units in pre-clinical and clinical clerkships for the M.D. degree

Only courses 100 level or above can be counted towards the degree. A minimum of 23 units must be at the 200-level or above. All courses towards the 45 unit requirement must receive a passing grade.

For a statement of University policy on graduate advising, see the "Graduate Advising" section of this bulletin.

The following competencies  serve as a guide for curriculum development and evaluation of the success of the training program and its graduates.

For additional information on the associated educational objectives please refer to the MD Program Handbook and Policy Manual Section 2.1 Competencies and Objectives for Medical Student Education.

1. Patient Care: Provide patient-centered care that is compassionate, appropriate, and effective for the treatment of health problems and the promotion of health

2. Knowledge for Practice: Demonstrate knowledge of established and evolving biomedical, clinical, epidemiological and social-behavioral sciences, as well as the application of this knowledge to patient care

3. Interpersonal and Communication Skills: Demonstrate interpersonal and communication skills that result in the effective exchange of information and collaboration with patients, their families, and health professionals

4. Professionalism: Demonstrate a commitment to carrying out professional responsibilities and an adherence to ethical principles and respect for codes of conduct

5. Discovery: Demonstrate the intellectual curiosity necessary for scientific discovery and self-discovery through active participation in research

6. Diversity, Equity & Inclusion and Social Determinants of Health: Demonstrate acumen for how DEI and SDH impact delivery and access of care within the greater healthcare systems for diverse patient populations

7. Practice-Based Learning and Improvement: Demonstrate the ability to investigate and evaluate one’s care of patients, to appraise and assimilate scientific evidence, and to continuously improve patient  care based on constant self-evaluation and life-long learning

8. Systems-Based Practice: Demonstrate an awareness of and responsiveness  to the larger context and system of health care, as well as the ability to call effectively on other resources  in the system to provide optimal health care

9. Interprofessional Collaboration: Demonstrate the ability to engage in an interprofessional team in a manner  that optimizes safe, effective patient- and population-centered care

10. Personal and Professional Development: Demonstrate the qualities required to sustain lifelong personal and professional growth