General Information:
The MS4 project is to be considered as an extension of your education into the surgical treatment of patient diseases. The senior project is to enhance and expand your clinical understanding of the current surgical treatment of patient diseases. Your project work should mimic what is expected of you as a professional trying to sort out medical information found in the latest medical publications in order to consider the "best" treatment options for a patient in your care. Projects resembling paraphrased book chapters and/or reviews will be considered unacceptable.

Topic Selection:
You must inform Stephanie Aleman of your intention (and preferred topic) to complete the project by 5pm of first Wednesday of your rotation. Each assignment will be made by first Friday 5pm. All communications should be made by email.

A completed project should contain:

1. A minimum of 10 recent (1995 - present) references that pertain to outcomes, comparison of various treatment options, randomized trials of treatment options, etc.
THE 10 REFERENCES ARE NOT TO INCLUDE "REVIEW" ARTICLES OR BOOK CHAPTERS

2. In 250 words or less, each selected reference is to be summarized highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of the material presented by the author(s).

3. After summarizing each reference article you are now, in approximately 250 words, to synthesize an overall interpretation of the material presented by these articles and develop a conclusion as to the application of this material to the surgical treatment of patient diseases.

All project papers are to conform to the AMA manuscript style, double-spaced, and must be turned in electronically to Stephanie Aleman by 5pm of last Wednesday of your senior clerkship rotation.