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Duration and study schedule
The Doctorate in Science and Innovation in Medicine is taught in classroom format during daytime hours, is full-time, and has a duration of four years. The first year includes compulsory theoretical-practical subjects, one elective subject, and two research units.
In the second year, students begin work on their doctoral thesis, which will last approximately three years. An elective course may also be taken during the second through the fourth year. Before starting the thesis process, students must pass all first-year courses, research units, and the Candidacy Exam.
A remunerative period is established that begins in the third semester for students to perform and assume the responsibilities of “Teaching Assistant” in any of our research areas.
The doctoral thesis may involve laboratory research and, in specific cases, clinical research. It may be carried out at the following locations:
- Faculty of Medicine, Clínica Alemana, Universidad del Desarrollo.
- Clínica Alemana, Santiago.
- Hospital Padre Hurtado, San Ramón.
Methodology and assessment
The Doctoral Committee will assess students individually to ensure they have a sufficient level of prior knowledge, using leveling mechanisms if necessary. Emphasis will be placed on the flexibility of the program and its personalization.
During the doctoral program, courses will be offered to provide students with the required knowledge to conduct research in the area.
The methodology is based on the personal work of each student, who is at the core of the teaching-learning process. It includes personal reading activities, seminars, and workshops. They will be assessed for both knowledge and the completion of personal growth targets, as well as the interest shown.
Curriculum
The curriculum is organized in two stages:
- Two semesters of theoretical-practical preparation, one elective course, and two research units, which are full-time activities.
- Six semesters carrying out the doctoral thesis: original research, which is a full-time activity. In addition to a second elective course and Pre- and Postgraduate Teaching Assistantship, doctoral students must also perform a series of complementary curriculum activities (Workshops and Log) during any of the semesters between the approval of their qualifying exam and the private defense of their thesis, to reinforce the knowledge, skills, and abilities described in the graduate profile.
The first-year courses are compulsory and elective. They are theoretical-practical and include unsupervised personal work, participation in seminars and workshops, preparation of essays and bibliographic research, oral presentations, and laboratory activities.
Two research units are also mandatory during semesters 1 and 2, and an original research thesis will be carried out during semesters 3 through 8. This will require full-time dedication. Students will be encouraged to participate in the preparation and discussion of scientific manuscripts, with an emphasis on attending national and international scientific conferences covering the area.
There will also be a course on bioethics of research, which will emphasize the value aspects of science and individuals.
Students must also pass at least two elective subjects for specialization in specific topics. These areas can be chosen by the student themself. Subjects in specific medical and social interest fields are added (epidemiology and health policies, immunology and inflammation, physiology, genomics, and bioinformatics, among others).
