Furthermore, a program of scholastic activity will be available to provide resident exposure to principles of research, critical appraisal, ethics, and principles of medical eduction. While involvement in a research project is not mandatory, participation in research is encouraged, and resident research days exist within each affiliated hospital. A number of research electives are available on a competitive basis during the PGY2 and PGY3 years. The program is held on the third Wednesday of the month for PGY1s and the fourth Wednesday of the month for PGY2s. Postgraduates are relieved of their clinical duties for these sessions.
Participants receive relevant literature and summaries at each session.
Participants receive a syllabus at the beginning of each year which includes the relevant materials for each session. The format is that of a graduate student seminar with an emphasis on interactive discussion and participation. This course provides an introduction to the basic principles of recombinant DNA technology and the applications of these technologies to the understanding of disease pathogenesis. Lecture topics include positional cloning, mutation analysis and descriptions of other commonly used molecular biology techniques as well as discussion of current knowledge pertaining to the genetic basis of atherosclerotic, neurodegenerative, neoplastic and inflammatory diseases. The sessions will be case-based and interactive.