Research Electives & Extended Research
Research Electives are only open to medical students actively enrolled at the University of Maryland School of Medicine.
Please read through the information below carefully. You can then initiate the elective process by completing the OSR Research Elective Interest Form (all research electives) and contacting OSA (extended research electives only).
Elective Types
- One- to Two-Month Research Elective: With approval, MSIII and MSIV students may execute a one- or two-month research elective.
- Credits from the one- and two-month research electives may be applied to graduation.
- These electives may be pursued to gain new knowledge in a specific research or clinical area, or to deepen a student’s knowledge in a field of interest.
- Extended Research Elective: Under special conditions, students may consider engaging in an extended research elective experience to increase the possibility of achieving research products such as publications, conference presentations, and fellowships.
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- Extended research electives (longer than 2 months) will not provide graduation credit.
Approvals
All research electives must be approved by the Office of Student Research (OSR) prior to enrollment.
For extended research experiences of more than two months, approval from both OSR and the Office of Student Affairs (OSA) is required. Since a leave of absence may be needed for extended research electives, please contact OSA first and as early as possible – this is an extensive process that involves several steps and approvals.
Research Elective Process
If you are interested in completing an Extended Research Elective (longer than 2 months), review the OSA Academic Handbook and contact OSA (studentaffairs@som.umaryland.edu) at least 10 weeks prior to the start of your extended research elective.
At least 8 weeks prior to the start of your intended research elective:
1. Complete the OSR Research Elective Interest Form.
You must be logged into your SOM account to complete the form.2. Schedule an advising session with the course administrator, Greg Carey.
A scheduling link will be provided after you complete the Interest Form.
After meeting with Dr. Carey, you will be provided with an application packet.
At least 30 days in advance of the start of your intended elective:
3. Submit completed application, including
- Application form
- Hypothesis-driven project proposal
- Mentor declaration form
- IRB or IACUC determinations – must be finalized by the time of application
After your research elective has been approved:
4. OSR will work with the Office of Student Affairs (OSA) to complete the registration process and enroll you in the Research Elective.
5. Complete your Research Elective during your designated block(s).
6. Within 4 weeks of completing your research elective, you must submit a final report.
Course Director:
Gregory B. Carey, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Microbiology and Immunology
Assistant Dean for Student Research and Education
Executive Director of Student Research and Community Outreach, OSR
Director of PRISM, UM Scholars and STAR-PREP Student Research Programs