Research Guide for Medical Students
This guide provides guidance to B.U. medical students who are interested in undertaking research while at BUSM. Each student must consider career goals, academic interests, and time available in the curriculum when planning his/her pathway to undertaking successful research experiences.
See Our Blackboard Site!
Access our Blackboard site: Medical Student Research at BUSM* for step-by-step instructions on the following tasks:
- Finding the right mentor and project
- Understanding the skills necessary to undertake research
- Undertaking trainings and compliance requirements
- Publishing your research
* All first-year medical students have access to the Blackboard site. If you would like access, email Ana Gregory.
Considerations for Students:
- Student research can be extracurricular or a credit-bearing course
- Students may be paid or un-paid for their research.
- There are short-term opportunities (e.g., Medical Student Summer Research Program) or long-term opportunities (a year off from the curriculum to engage in research).
When Can I Undertake Research?
- Points in the curriculum to undertake research (timeline)
- Medical Student Summer Research Program (summer after first year)
- Year off for research experience
- Third-year selective (4 weeks)
- Fourth-year elective (up to 8 weeks)
Finding a Mentor & Project
Considerations: Research in Connection to Different Residencies
- See NRMP® Program Director Survey (use your AAMC username and password (same as for the MCAT) to log in) for more info on how residency program directors view research when evaluating candidates.
Medical Student Summer Research Program
The Medical Student Summer Research Program (MSSRP) at BUSM provides provides mentored research experiences for first-year B.U. medical students under the direction of a BUMC faculty member during the summer between the student’s first and second year of medical school.
See what our student researchers have accomplished!