Programs in Applied Anatomy & Physiology

Department of Health Sciences

Programs in Applied Anatomy & Physiology

The Department of Health Sciences at Boston University
is committed to providing its graduate students with an exceptional educational experience. Our graduate students benefit from working with outstanding faculty mentors who are leaders in their fields. In addition, they have access to an impressive array of facilities and people on the wider BU campus, as well as the rich intellectual opportunities offered through Boston’s many academic and research institutions.

Our faculty, many of whom hold joint appointments in the Boston University School of Medicine, approach their research questions from multiple levels—from molecules to cells to circuits to behavior. Research tools range from transgenic mice to sophisticated neuroanatomical injections for visualizing individual neurons to DNA microarrays to MRIs.

Research areas in the department include:

• cellular and molecular physiology
  
• cytoskeletal biology
  
• protein-protein interactions
  
• mechanisms of neurodegenerative diseases and preterm labor
  
• cardiovascular disease
  
• regulation of skeletal muscle gene expression by alterations
  in physical activity patterns
  
• effects of aging on muscle physiology and function
  
• cognition and neural information processing
  
• organization of the frontal cortex
  
• the interaction of cognitive and emotional processes in
  the nervous system

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Master of Science Degree Program in Applied Anatomy & Physiology

The Master of Science Program in Applied Anatomy & Physiology provides a dynamic and flexible environment for students interested in pursuing careers in biomedical research. The degree typically leads to a research or clinical career in hospital, pharmaceutical, or biotechnology settings. The program also provides a strong foundation for doctoral-level studies in biology, physiology, or neuroscience.

Admission Requirements

The primary requirement for admission is a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university. The undergraduate program should have included study in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. The following coursework is required for admission: three courses in the biological sciences; two courses in chemistry; and one course in math, statistics, or computer science.

An applicant must submit scores on the general test of the Graduate Record Examination (institution code 3028), and three letters of reference, two of which should be academic references.

Application Deadline

Applications are considered as they are received. The recommended application deadline is February 15. Students applying for financial assistance are advised to submit all materials by January 15.

Degree Requirements

A candidate must take at least 34 credits of graduate-level coursework. At least 20 of the 34 credits must be in courses offered by the program in health sciences. Candidates for the master’s degree can complete the MS degree requirements by choosing to do a scholarly paper or thesis plus coursework. Those students electing to complete a scholarly paper to fulfill their degree requirements must determine a topic area with their advisor. Specific details regarding the scholarly paper are addressed in the departmental graduate student manual. Those students electing to complete a master’s thesis to fulfill their degree requirements must formulate a mutual agreement with a departmental research advisor with the expertise and willingness to closely supervise their effort.

An overall grade point average of B or higher is required for graduation. No more than 8 credits of any C+ grades will be counted toward the degree. No grade below C+ is acceptable for inclusion in the 34-credit requirement.

Up to 8 credits of graduate coursework may be transferred with departmental approval.

Curriculum

The following is the required curriculum for the Master of Science Program in Applied Anatomy & Physiology. Each course carries 4 credits unless otherwise indicated. The specific course requirements are intentionally left broad to allow students to concentrate on areas related to their career goals.

Core Courses (18 credits)

SPH BS 703 Biostatistics

SAR HS 750 Analysis of Physiological Literature
(2 credits, 1 credit each for two semesters)

Plus three of the following:

SAR HS 542 Exercise Physiology

SAR HS 560 Muscle Biology

SAR HS 581 Gross Human Anatomy

SAR HS 582 Neuroanatomy/Neurophysiology

SAR HS 783 Metabolic Regulation

SAR HS 575 Cardiopulmonary Pathophysiology

CAS BI 552 Molecular Biology I

CAS BI 553 Molecular Biology II

In addition, students take either 4 credits of SAR HS 793 (scholarly paper) or 4–8 credits of SAR HS 791 (thesis research) and electives to total 16 credits. Electives, selected in consultation with the academic advisor, may be chosen from the list of core requirements or selected from other courses in the department as well as from courses in other departments in Sargent College and other colleges within Boston University.

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A Selection of Elective/Specialization Courses

SAR HS 550 Neural Systems

SAR HS 710 Graduate Affiliation (var. cr.)

SAR HS 745 Advanced Regional Anatomy (var. cr.)

SAR HS 755 Readings in Neuroscience

SAR HS 776 Nutrition Epidemiology

SAR HP 565 Biomechanics

SAR HP 771 Foundations of Motor Control

SAR HP 782 Advanced Human Movement

SAR PT 520 Functional Anatomy

SAR RS 650 Philosophy of Science

GRS CH 621 Biochemistry I

GRS CH 622 Biochemistry II

GRS BI 655 Developmental Neurobiology

GRS BI 755 Cellular and Systems Neuroscience

GRS BI 756 Systems and Cognitive Neuroscience

CAS BB 522 Molecular Biology Laboratory

CAS BI 544 Cell Motility and Cytoskeleton

CAS BI 555 Techniques in Cell Biology

CAS BI 575 Techniques in Cellular and Molecular Biology

CAS CN 580 Introduction to Computational Neuroscience

GMS AN 702 Neurobiology of Learning and Memory

GMS AN 707 Neurobiology of Aging

GMS AN 808 Neuroanatomical Basis of Neurologic Disease

SPH EP 711 Introduction to Epidemiology

SPH EP 712 Epidemiologic Methods

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DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY
DEGREE PROGRAM IN APPLIED ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY

The Doctor of Philosophy Degree Program in Applied Anatomy & Physiology is dedicated to preparing its graduates to become independent researchers, capable of leading research labs, publishing and presenting their research, and writing successful research proposals to funding agencies.

As you consider your doctoral education, recognize that a doctoral program differs in substantial ways from both undergraduate and master’s degree programs. Choosing to obtain your doctorate opens the door to obtaining a leadership position in the research world—whether that research is in the biotech or pharmaceutical industry, a university, or a clinical setting. You will spend 4–7 years working closely with a mentor, focusing on a specific area of science. You are encouraged to look closely at the research coming out of the labs of our faculty: look at their web pages, do a Medline search on their papers, look at where they publish. When you have identified a mentor with whom you’d like to work, feel free to contact that faculty member to learn more about research in his or her lab.

Our outstanding faculty—leaders in the fields of muscle physiology and pathophysiology, cardiovascular disease, cognition and neural information processing, cytoskeletal biology, cancer biology, and protein-protein interactions—are dedicated to guiding your professional development. Your mentor will be your role model who will assist you in all aspects of your graduate education, including selecting courses, developing your research plan, and assisting in the development of your writing and presentation skills. Choose wisely and you will be rewarded with a rich and productive future!

Admission Requirements

Applicants may be admitted with either a bachelor’s or master’s degree in the biological or health sciences. Test results of the Graduate Record Examination General Test (institutional code 3028) and three letters of reference (two from those familiar with your academic background) must be submitted.

Undergraduate Prerequisites

Biology
Chemistry
Physiology
Statistics

Application Deadline

Applications are considered as they are received. The recommended application deadline is February 15. Students applying for financial assistance are advised to submit all materials by January 15.

Degree Requirements

Students admitted with a bachelor’s degree must complete the equivalent of 16 semester courses (64 credits); those admitted with a master’s degree must complete the equivalent of 8 semester courses (32 credits). In both cases, a minimum grade
point average of 3.0 must be maintained. No more than 8 credits of any C+ grade will be acceptable for inclusion in the requirement. No grade below C+ will be accepted.

A candidate’s minimum semester hours includes coursework and research as determined by the department.

Before the end of one year of study, the student must submit a plan of study for completion of all degree requirements, including identification and approval of a departmental faculty member who will serve as the student’s research advisor.

A candidate must take a written comprehensive examination at the end of all formal coursework. Dissertation research may then be undertaken. If a candidate’s performance on the comprehensive examination is unsatisfactory, the examination
may be retaken only following approval of a student petition to the department.

A candidate must complete the dissertation and defend it orally before the departmental faculty.

A candidate must be in residence for at least two consecutive full-time academic semesters (full time equals 12 to 18 credits per semester or 8 to 12 credits per semester for a teaching or research fellow). A candidate’s program must be completed within five (post-master) or seven (post-bachelor) years of matriculation.

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Curriculum

The following is the required curriculum for the Doctor of Philosophy Program in Applied Anatomy & Physiology. Each course carries 4 credits unless otherwise indicated. The specific course requirements are intentionally left broad to allow students to concentrate on areas related to their career goals.

*Or evidence of prior accomplishment.

Electives, selected in consultation with the academic advisor, may be chosen from the list of core requirements or selected from other courses in the department, as well as from courses in other departments in BU Sargent College and other colleges within BU.

A Selection of Elective/Specialization Courses

SAR HS 550 Neural Systems

SAR HS 710 Graduate Affiliation (var. cr.)

SAR HS 745 Advanced Regional Anatomy (var. cr.)

SAR HS 755 Readings in Neuroscience

SAR HS 776 Nutrition Epidemiology

SAR HP 565 Biomechanics

SAR HP 771 Foundations of Motor Control

SAR HP 782 Advanced Human Movement

SAR PT 520 Functional Anatomy

SAR RS 650 Philosophy of Science

GRS CH 621 Biochemistry I

GRS CH 622 Biochemistry II

GRS BI 655 Developmental Neurobiology

GRS BI 755 Cellular and Systems Neuroscience

GRS BI 756 Systems and Cognitive Neuroscience

CAS BB 522 Molecular Biology Laboratory

CAS BI 544 Cell Motility and Cytoskeleton

CAS BI 555 Techniques in Cell Biology

CAS BI 575 Techniques in Cellular and Molecular Biology

CAS CN 580 Intro to Computational Neuroscience

GMS AN 702 Neurobiology of Learning and Memory

GMS AN 707 Neurobiology of Aging

GMS AN 808 Neuroanatomical Basis of Neurologic Disease

SPH EP 711 Introduction to Epidemiology

SPH EP 712 Epidemiologic Methods

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Specialization in Nutrition

A nutrition track within the PhD in Applied Anatomy & Physiology is available. Dissertation research will be conducted under the supervision of nutrition faculty within the Department of Health Sciences. Applicants for the nutrition track will follow the general admission and degree requirements outlined above for the PhD in Applied Anatomy & Physiology, with the following modifications:

Curriculum

Health Sciences Programs

617-353-2717
(Applied Anatomy & Physiology)

617-353-7469
(Nutrition)

Applied Anatomy & Physiology Program Director

Clinical Associate Professor
Judith L. Schotland
617-353-8449
schotlnd@bu.edu

Nutrition Program Director

Clinical Assistant Professor
Roberta Durschlag
617-353-7488
rdurschl@bu.edu

Professors Barbas*, Kandarian*, Morgan

Assistant Professors Bohland, Chan, Girgenrath, Quatromoni

Clinical Associate Professors Bandini, O’Keefe, Salge-Blake, Schotland

Clinical Assistant Professors DeBiasse, Durschlag

Adjunct Professors Hilgetag, Leavis, Leon

Emeriti Bullen, Powers, Skrinar

* Joint appointment with other Boston University schools and colleges.

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Published by Trustees of Boston University
One Silber Way
Boston, MA 02215

19 November 2009
Boston University
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