Student Handbook - Research and Scholarly Activity

Michigan State University ranks as one of the top 100 research universities in the world. MSU research excellence has been recognized through institutional membership in the American Association of Universities (AAU) since 1961. The university attracts and welcomes an international community of outstanding graduate students, postdoctoral associates, and faculty visitors to a broad range of highly ranked graduate programs, research centers, and interdisciplinary collaborations. As the nation’s pioneer land-grant institution, MSU serves the people of Michigan, the United States, and the world, creating and applying knowledge to develop sustainable solutions to humanity’s most challenging problems.

MSUCOM seeks to promote the advancement of scientific and medical knowledge and to further the impact of osteopathic medicine. The college supports the academic and scholarly pursuits of its students and faculty. This policy specifically addresses the research and scholarly activities of students.

MSUCOM does not require students to complete a research or scholarly activity project as a component of its Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine program. However, MSUCOM is committed to assisting students in pursuing these opportunities if they wish to do so.

Each student will be asked to report on any ongoing or completed research and scholarly activity projects conducted during the four-year program.
Students are introduced to principles of research methodology and biostatistics in the Foundations segment of the preclerkship curriculum, with additional information incorporated into the Health System Science capstone in Semester 6.

All MSUCOM students are required to complete training in the “Responsible and Ethical Conduct of Research” (RECR). This training is provided through a combination of live presentations and online modules in OMS-I and OMS-II. For details, consult the Responsible and Ethical Conduct of Research Checklist. Topics include general principles of research ethics, human subject protection, and the responsibilities of MSUCOM students in both basic biomedical and clinical research.

Completion of the RECR series is a requirement for conferral of the D.O. degree as noted in the Policy for Retention, Promotion, and Graduation. Compliance is audited by the MSUCOM Office of Enrollment Services and Student Records.

Application of medical research, evidence-based medicine, and the scientific method are incorporated in other coursework in the preclerkship and clerkship curricula.
MSUCOM students may pursue research and scholarly activities in areas of individual interest. Faculty mentors are available at each site to provide guidance. All research proposals must conform to MSU research and institutional review board (IRB) policies and procedures. Students may not serve as principal investigators for projects reviewed or approved by MSU IRB.

MSUCOM students may participate in research and scholarly activities in partnership with faculty of MSU and MSUCOM, as well as clinical faculty and residents within the Statewide Campus System network. Students who wish to earn credit for research and scholarly activity projects may do so by enrolling in a research elective.
Students wishing to earn credit for basic science, clinical, or translational research projects may enroll in the preclerkship research elective (OST 599) and/or the clerkship research elective (OST 615). Detailed descriptions of the course requirements are available in the syllabi and on the Research webpage.

Students seeking an introduction to scholarly activity as utilized in most residency programs may enroll in the Scholarly Activity Seminar elective (OST 593). Alternatively, students may enroll in an independent study elective (OST 590), in which students may engage with a faculty mentor for other scholarly activity projects.

For other opportunities outside these elective courses, students may submit manuscripts, including case reports for publication in the online Spartan Medical Research Journal. Students are invited to participate in the annual Statewide Campus System Research Day, which is an adjudicated competition open to students, residents, and faculty.
- Details for electives during the preclerkship program
- Details for electives during the clerkship program