Doctoral program in Medical Sciences

Program Description

The Program is characterized by its curriculum focused on translational and clinical research. The doctoral theses are developed in different areas of health, stimulating internationalization through internships, co-supervision with high-level researchers in other universities, and promoting the development of interdisciplinary doctoral theses with other faculties. 

Years of Accreditation

• Six years, up to November 2028

Program Objectives

The objective of the Program is to train physicians and graduates in disciplines related to Medicine who opt for advanced studies with a strong emphasis on biomedical scientific research, from those oriented to the disease or the patient to research in preventive medicine and public health. The Program will enable students to join the search for and application of new knowledge in Medicine through scientific training at a higher level, which implies the acquisition of advanced knowledge in a critical and dynamic context, and rigorous training in the scientific method, both in its theoretical bases and in practical and methodological aspects (Art. 3° of the Regulations of the Doctoral Program in Medical Sciences, PDCM). In this way, the PDCM will contribute to the development of Medical Sciences in Chile, with the idea of generating a supply of researchers with solid training for Medical Schools and research institutes.

Learning Outcomes

Graduates will be qualified to carry out original and independent scientific research oriented to the diseases, especially studying its etiopathogenic elements, and oriented to the patient, critically exploring the application of new biomedical knowledge to the diagnosis, treatment, or prevention of diseases.

Learning goals have been identified and defined to operationalize the expected doctoral training to fulfill the learning outcomes. Thus, at the end of the Doctoral Program, graduates are expected to be able to:

• Develop cutting-edge translational and clinical research, which will allow them to innovate in developing new strategies for the study of mechanisms, detection, treatment, or prevention of diseases.
• Lead research teams that allow developing rigorous and competitive research, obtaining funding for their research.
• Integrate knowledge of basic and applied sciences to the clinical development of health sciences.
• Practice teaching, especially in the thesis direction of undergraduate and graduate students during their research training.
• Conceptualize and report their original research and accomplishments competitively to satisfy peer review and evaluation and impart knowledge to audiences outside of translational research in the medical sciences.
• Conduct themselves according to sound ethical principles when conducting research.