Fundamental Requirements for Research Electives
Planning a research elective during your M3 or M4 years at the University of Illinois College of Medicine (UI COM)? This Uicom Guide outlines the essential requirements to ensure your research elective is successfully scheduled and credited. UI COM research electives offer a valuable opportunity to delve into research, with credit options ranging from two to eight weeks, up to a maximum of eight weeks in total (excluding MSTP).
Research electives can be structured longitudinally, allowing research to integrate with clinical experiences. However, dedicated unscheduled time is mandatory. For electives of four weeks or less, a minimum of two weeks of unscheduled time must be allocated on the student’s schedule specifically for research. If your research elective is approved for five weeks or more, at least four weeks of unscheduled time are required. No other academic activities can overlap with these dedicated research weeks. It’s important to note that credit for a single research elective cannot be divided; all credits are registered simultaneously within one term.
The expected workload of your research project should align with the proposed credit hours. Research electives are designed to enhance your overall medical school journey and should not replace essential clinical or educational experiences.
- For research electives requesting five or more credit hours, a detailed hourly breakdown of your planned activities must accompany your request.
- Students will collaborate directly with a research advisor on a specific project. To explore potential advisors and projects, refer to the UI COM faculty directory at the Graduate Education in Medical Sciences (GEMS) Faculty Listing.
- Utilize the SAMPLE Research Elective Proposal as a helpful template when preparing your own research elective proposal. Ensure that your proposal thoroughly addresses all eight fundamental processes detailed in the research elective form.
