Math and Medicine

[Heiwa143]

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This most likely has been discussed already, but I'm going to ask it anyway. Is it possible to complete an MD and a PhD in mathematics (specifically Applied Mathematics)? For those who say that I can always enter a field like BME or Bioinformatics, I am aware that these fields exist;however, it would really be enjoyable if I could pursue the above stated degree.

 

[sonofva]

What would be the intent of this degree program

 

[deleted480308]

This most likely has been discussed already, but I'm going to ask it anyway. Is it possible to complete an MD and a PhD in mathematics (specifically Applied Mathematics)? For those who say that I can always enter a field like BME or Bioinformatics, I am aware that these fields exist;however, it would really be enjoyable if I could pursue the above stated degree.

A joint program doesn't exist but you can pursue anything you want. there is no reason to do so as they aren't joint career paths and both take forever. What's the end goal in terms of use of these degrees? Fun/qualification/profit/knowledge?

 

[Heiwa143]

A joint program doesn't exist but you can pursue anything you want. there is no reason to do so as they aren't joint career paths and both take forever. What's the end goal in terms of use of these degrees? Fun/qualification/profit/knowledge?

It would most likely be for interdisciplinary purposes such as mathematical and computational biology, mathematical epidemiology, or even econometrics.

 

[AlteredScale]

It would most likely be for interdisciplinary purposes such as mathematical and computational biology, mathematical epidemiology, or even econometrics.

"In the graduate phase of the program, dissertation research can be carried out in any of a number of different departments or programs at Harvard or MIT, including biological, epidemiology and biomedical sciences, mathematics, physics, and various branches of engineering and chemistry and social sciences. "

Harvard/MIT MD PhD webpage. So it's possible!

 

[typhoonegator]

You can totally do that. I know a bunch of folks from the MIT Comp Bio group and CSAIL (computer science and artificial intelligence lab), some have MD/PhD backgrounds. Many of the MD's don't practice, so you need to be aware that if your goal is to be an applied mathematician active in science, it is not going to be easy to marry that pursuit with active clinical care. There are plenty of people at the Broad Institute, and Stanley Center, and Whitehead who have strong math and computational training backgrounds as well. Even without an MD, you can do a lot of human disease research with an applied mathematics degree.