The program is designed to provide students with a broad knowledge in the basic medical sciences, while preparing them for careers as effective and knowledgeable teachers, as well as productive and versatile researchers. To meet these objectives, students take courses in the medical sciences and related areas, they participate in seminars, and they receive individual research training. Departmental advisory committees counsel the entering students in planning their first year curriculum. In addition to coursework and participation in seminars, first year students are expected to become familiar with ongoing research in their chosen field of study; when possible, they are encouraged to work on a part-time basis as research assistants in their department to supplement their research training. Once a student selects a major professor, a formal dissertation committee assists the student in planning the research and course of study, evaluates the student's progress, supervises the comprehensive examinations, and conducts the final dissertation defense.

By the end of the second year, a student has usually completed sufficient course work and met the other research requirements to take the comprehensive qualifying examination. Successful completion of this examination leads to formal admission to candidacy for the Ph.D. degree. The final phase of the program emphasizes research and independent study, which leads to a written dissertation. The Ph.D. degree is awarded upon successful completion and oral defense of the dissertation.