Scholarly Activities

Scholarly Activities in the Curriculum

Image of UTRGV medical student in suit presenting research to physician at conference

Image of UTRGV medical student in suit presenting research to physicians at conference

Image of UTRGV medical student in suit standing next to research poster at conference

Image of UTRGV medical student standing next to research presentation poster at conference

Overview

A medical education program is conducted in an environment that fosters the intellectual challenge and spirit of inquiry appropriate to a community of scholars and provides opportunities, encouragement, and support for medical student participation in the research and other scholarly activities of its faculty.

Scholarly activities should enhance a student's medical education. Curriculum requirements take precedence over participation in research experiences. UTRGV SOM structures protected time for students to receive course credit during the 4-year curriculum for approved, faculty-mentored, scholarly activities:

MS1 (Summer) - MEDI 8127 Scholarly Activities (Pre-clerkship)
MS3/MS4 – MEDI 9331 Scholarly Activities (Clinical Years)
MS3/MS4 – MEDI 9511 Extended Scholarly Activities (Clinical Years)

Top three rules of thumb for students to engage in scholarly activities:

The first step is to find a UTRGV faculty mentor.
Students should consult their faculty mentor before engaging in any UTRGV regulatory training (CITI, IRB, IACUC, IBC, etc.) to ensure that appropriate modules are taken for specific projects.
Students should not contact external clinical or community entities without first consulting a UTRGV faculty mentor. UTRGV SOM has cultivated valuable relationships with our RGV regional partners and has established procedures for all UTRGV personnel to make appropriate contact with our RGV partners.