Boston University is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Inc., is recognized by the University of the State of New York, and is a member of the following agencies: the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers; the American Council of Learned Societies; Universities Research Association; EDUCOM Interuniversity Communications Council; and the National Association of Schools and Colleges of the United Methodist Church.

In addition to the courses offered by each department, the following are courses offered through the Division by faculty from multiple cooperating departments.

Graduate students in the Division of Graduate Medical Sciences utilize the facilities of the basic science and clinical departments, research laboratories, and centers of the Boston University School of Medicine and the affiliated hospitals of the Boston University Medical Center (BUMC). In addition, special programs may be arranged between the Division of Graduate Medical Sciences in the School of Medicine and the School of Public Health in the School of Medicine; the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Centers; the Departments of Biology, Chemistry, and Psychology on the Charles River Campus; the Graduate School of Management; and the College of Engineering. Information about all programs and specific research interests of the faculty members involved may be obtained by writing to the Division of Graduate Medical Sciences, Boston University School of Medicine, 715 Albany Street, Boston, MA 02118-2394.

Both MA and PhD degrees (except where noted otherwise below) are offered by the Division in each of the following departments and programs.

Anatomy and Neurobiology

Graduate instruction in the Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology is offered in gross human anatomy, microscopic anatomy, and neuroscience, in addition to several courses designed specifically for graduate students. Current areas of graduate research include: examination of connections, neurocytology, and immunocytochemistry of various parts of the nervous system, such as the cerebral cortex, electrical and morphological properties of neurons; hippocampus, spinal cord, and basal ganglia; development of visual cortex and retina; aging in various parts of the nervous system; sensory cell regeneration in the cochlea; neurobiological basis of memory; neurobiology of cell signaling; and gene expression in aged hypertensive monkeys.

Behavioral Neuroscience

The program in behavioral neuroscience awards the PhD degree only; the MA degree is not offered. The program offers opportunities for research related to human brain dysfunction. Principal research interests of the current core faculty include language disorders; disorders of purposeful movement; pathology of learning and memory; drugs and behavior; dementias; brain mechanisms of reinforcement; psychoneuroimmunology; visuospatial and other perceptual disorders; affective disorders; and developmental disorders. The methods employed in the study of human brain disorders include neuropsychological, neurological, and behavioral assessment procedures; dichotic listening; visual half-field and bimanual stimulation; instrumental and classical conditioning; brain imaging techniques; psychopharmacology; and electrophysiology. The department maintains a close affiliation with the Boston and Bedford VA Medical Centers, where students are encouraged to attend seminars, colloquia, and hospital rounds in the psychology and neurology services.

Biochemistry

The major research interests of the faculty in the Department of Biochemistry include: (1) regulation of gene expression in response to development, tissue specificity, growth and differentiation, interaction with environmental factors, and various disease states; (2) vesicle trafficking; (3) signal transduction by peptide hormones, growth factors, and cytokines; (4) plant molecular biology; (5) gene expression, biosynthesis, response to exogenous factors, degradation, metabolism, and enzymology of the extracellular matrix; (6) cell cycle; (7) molecular immunology; (8) neurobiochemistry; (9) structure/function relationships of lipoproteins, lipoprotein genes, and their influence on cell function; and (10) mechanism of action of steroid hormones. In addition to many basic science projects, a variety of clinically related studies in the fields of cardiovascular disease and hypertension, pulmonary disease and fibrosis, aging, Alzheimer's disease, reproduction, obesity, inflammation, cancer, thrombosis, and diabetes are also in progress.

Biophysics

The research interests of the faculty of the Department of Biophysics range from cell and structural biology to traditional physical chemical studies of small and macro-molecules. Of particular interest is the study of the three-dimensional structure of proteins, lipids, and complex carbohydrates and their function in cellular membranes, cellular organelles, serum lipoproteins, adipose tissue, nerve and brain tissue, and such pathological deposits as atherosclerotic plaques, gallstones, Alzheimer's disease, and amyloid plaques and abnormal lipoproteins. The techniques of modern cell biology and biochemistry and techniques used in structural biology, particularly high-resolution cryoelectron microscopy and image reconstruction, protein and lipid X-ray diffraction, 2D and classical NMR spectroscopy, coupled with classical physical chemical techniques such as microcalorimetry, circular dichroic and fluorescence spectroscopy, ultra-centrifugation and immunochemistry make it possible to study thermodynamic and kinetic processes as structure changes during function. Supporting these systems is a modern computer laboratory for image analysis and reconstruction and molecular modeling. Classic and cryoelectron microscopy allow the determination of the structures of macromolecular complexes down to 10 to 20 A resolution, whereas X-ray crystallography and 2D NMR allow structures of the components to be determined at atomic resolution.

Cell and Molecular Biology

The interdisciplinary Program in Cell and Molecular Biology takes advantage of the individual resources of the seven academic departments in the Division of Graduate Medical Sciences at Boston University School of Medicine. The Program in Cell and Molecular Biology awards the PhD degree only. The program focuses on basic scientific and clinical issues related to molecular and cellular biology. The participation of more than 80 faculty members offers a diversity of research opportunities and a wealth of productive interactions. Areas of expertise include molecular mechanisms regulating gene expression and developmental programs, cell structure/function relationships, molecular characterization of receptors and signal transduction processes, structural analyses of macromolecules, and the impact on health and disease on all of these areas. The availability of core facilities (i.e., FACS cell sorter, confocal microscope, microscopic imaging, transgenic mouse colony, University-wide computer network) allows for the state-of-the-art technological approaches to address critical research issues.

Immunology

The Program in Immunology offers predoctoral candidates coursework, seminars in contemporary immunology, and research training suitable to prepare them for careers in immunology research. The Program in Immunology awards the PhD degree only. The training faculty consists of a highly interactive group of investigators with particular expertise in topics such as B cell development and function; transcriptional regulation of macrophage and lymphocyte activity; cytokine mediated signaling pathways; factors predisposing to autoimmune disease; receptor mediated apoptosis; cancer cell biology and lymphocyte transformation; immunotherapy; HIV binding and pathogenesis; vaccine development; and airway hypersensitivity.

Medical Sciences

The program in medical sciences awards the MA degree only; the PhD degree is not offered. The program provides the essential background for the pursuit of training in various health professions. Special programs combining the MA in Medical Sciences with programs in the School of Medicine, the School of Public Health, and the Graduate School of Management are also available. An optional field of concentration in clinical research may be taken. The program consists of the equivalent of two semesters of fundamental coursework and two semesters of directly supervised research; the latter two semesters can be completed during two summers. Students wishing to complete the program in 12 months must register full time (12-16 credits) in the fall and spring semesters and for at least two credits in both summer semesters or pay the continuing student fee for each of the two summer semesters. The required research thesis is carried out by the candidate under direct supervision of a member of the graduate faculty. The research project may involve only library research, or a combination of library and laboratory research. Completion of all requirements of the MA in Medical Sciences, including the thesis, is mandatory before a student in this program can matriculate in any doctoral program at Boston University. Students in the MA program in Medical Sciences do not have to complete its requirements, however, before admission to one of its dual degree options described below.

Microbiology

The Department of Microbiology offers graduate training in various areas of microbiology, as well as through interdepartmental programs in immunology, oncobiology, and cell and molecular biology. Graduate training emphasizes a multidisciplinary approach to the study of the biomedical sciences, in addition to concentration in a research area. Students may choose from research laboratories of faculty from both basic science and clinical departments. The research interests of the faculty include: regulation of gene expression in pathogenic and sporulating bacteria, mechanisms of drug resistance in bacteria, pathogenesis and molecular biology of immunodeficiency and hepatitis viruses, regulation of humoral and cell mediated immunity, dysregulation of lymphocyte function in autoimmunity, signal transduction and gene expression in lymphocytes, eukaryotic cell growth control and carcinogenesis, and protein structure/function analysis.

Oral Biology

The Program in Oral Biology offers predoctoral candidates courses, seminars, and interdisciplinary training in the Division of Oral Biology of the Department of Periodontology and Oral Biology, Boston University Goldman School of Dental Medicine. The Program in Oral Biology awards the PhD degree only. The Program recruits students with backgrounds in the life and basic sciences who are interested in additional advanced training in dental and medical sciences. The aim of this program is to educate students in modern scientific approaches to oral biology and oral disease. The Program is designed for the student whose primary goal is to pursue a career in oral biology research. The oral cavity is unique regarding its microbiology, connective tissue structures, and host responses. Moreover, oral diseases present unsolved scientific challenges and novel biological phenomena.

Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

The Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine awards the PhD degree only; the MA degree is not offered. The curriculum comprises two tracks--experimental pathology and immunology--and will include also cellular and molecular biology and neurosciences. The training program has a strong emphasis on the integration of the results of basic research with knowledge of pathology and pathophysiology in humans and laboratory animals, achieved by close affiliations maintained with the Pathology Departments at Boston Medical Center (Mallory Institute of Pathology) and Boston Veterans Administration Hospital. Research interests of the faculty include the following: mechanisms of chemical carcinogenesis and mutagenesis; pathogenesis of atherosclerotic and other vascular diseases; humoral and cellular immunology and immunologically based cancer therapy; human somatic cell, molecular, and cancer genetics; nutritional effects on toxicity and carcinogenicity of chemicals; neurochemistry and cell signaling. Methods of investigation include morphologic procedures used in classical pathology as well as molecular and immunologic morphologic procedures; in vitro culture and study of bacterial and mammalian cells; immunological manipulation of animals and cells and identification of cell components or products; and identification of genetic and other biological markers.

Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics

Research and training in molecular and cellular neuroscience represent a major focus of the Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics. Research interests of the faculty include modulation and regulation of neurotransmitter receptors at the cellular and genomic levels, mechanisms of signal transduction, developmental neurobiology, and the pharmacology of behavior. Training emphasizes a multidisciplinary approach to fundamental problems in neuroscience. Trainees become conversant with a variety of approaches to the study of the nervous system, including molecular biology, electrophysiology, biochemistry, anatomy, and behavior. Modern approaches to drug design include the use of recombinant DNA technology.

Physiology

The Department of Physiology offers graduate training in cellular and molecular physiology. Research opportunities exist for studying the function of the human body in health and disease at all levels, ranging from the atomic resolution of protein molecules to the function of organ systems. Studies in structural biology include x-ray crystallography of calcium regulatory and membrane bound proteins and a number of enzymes; electron microscopy, cryoelectron microscopy, and 3-D image reconstruction of muscle proteins. Research in electrophysiology includes single channel recording, measurement of ion fluxes by microelectrode and by optical imaging of intracellular probes, as well as spectrophotometric measurements of individual photopigments. Techniques in molecular biology are being utilized for sequence determination and expression of cDNAs to produce proteins and characterize them by mutational analysis. Particular areas of interest in the Department to which these various techniques are being applied include: signal transduction through calcium regulation of intracellular processes, membrane transport and ion channel properties, expression of channels during neuronal development, phototransduction, motility in microtubule and actomyosin based systems, and mechanisms of enzyme action.

Course Requirements

The program for the MA in anatomy and neurobiology, biochemistry, biophysics, microbiology, pharmacology, or physiology consists of approximately one year of fundamental coursework and one year of supervised research work. The program for the MA in Medical Sciences requires two semesters of fundamental coursework and two semesters of library or laboratory research which can be completed during two summer sessions.

Fields of Specialization

A candidate selects a major from the following: anatomy and neurobiology, biochemistry, biophysics, medical sciences, microbiology, pharmacology and experimental therapeutics, and physiology. The candidate selects, in consultation with the appropriate graduate committee, a major advisor who is a member of the faculty of the selected department or program.

Course Requirements and Selection

Candidates plan their courses in consultation with the major advisor and in accordance with the requirements of their major field. Coursework may be in formal courses, seminars, and research in proportion to the particular needs and backgrounds of the candidates as worked out in consultation with the major advisor.

Candidates for the MA in Medical Sciences Program only must fulfill the following requirements: biochemistry, physiology, biostatistics, and the equivalent of at least 8 credits from a selected list of graduate courses.

Research Thesis or Comprehensive Examination

A research thesis or comprehensive examination is required. The choice of this requirement rests with the major department or program. The thesis is to be based on a research project carried out by the candidate. A laboratory thesis is recommended and is required by certain departments. A library thesis is accepted by certain programs. Regulations regarding the thesis are available at the Division of Graduate Medical Sciences.

The MA/MPH dual degree program combines studies in the School of Medicine and the School of Public Health. This program reduces the time and the number of courses that would otherwise be required to complete separately the requirements of two degrees. The Master of Public Health, taken as a separate degree, requires completion of 48 credits. The Master of Arts in Medical Sciences, taken separately, requires the completion of 32 credits. The combined MA/MPH, however, is awarded upon completion of 64 credits and thus can be completed in two calendar years (two academic years and one summer).

Applications

Applicants must apply by completing an application to the Division of Graduate Medical Sciences and an application to the School of Public Health, indicating on each that admission to the combined degree program is desired. Letters of recommendation, test scores, and transcripts must accompany one of the applications and are shared by both admissions committees. Applications may be obtained from the School of Public Health and from the Division of Graduate Medical Sciences. Applicants already enrolled in either program who decide to pursue a joint degree may, with the counsel of their advisor, apply for formal admission to the other School. Upon acceptance, the director of the combined program reviews the applicant's transcript and advises what courses must be taken to complete the requirements.

Course Requirements

Candidates normally register for two semesters in the Division and two semesters in the School of Public Health, but may cross-register and take courses in both schools during any semester. For the MPH degree, students must successfully complete 16 credits of core courses in the School of Public Health and a minimum of four courses in one of the selected concentrations: environmental health, health law, health services, and social and behavioral sciences. For specific concentration course requirements, see the School of Public Health Bulletin.

For the MA in medical sciences/MPH degree, students must complete 14 credits of core courses and at least 8 credits from selected electives. Any remaining credits may be taken in either the Division of Graduate Medical Sciences or the School of Public Health. Up to 8 elective credits may be taken as directed study or research courses in either program. Core and elective course requirements may vary slightly depending upon the individual student's academic background and selection of courses. Please consult MPH and MA program catalogues for further details concerning transfer of credit and waiver of courses.

Thesis

A thesis is required. The thesis is to be based on research carried out by the candidate under direct supervision of a member of the graduate faculty selected by the candidate in consultation with the program director. The research project may involve only library research or a combination of library and laboratory (field) research.

The MA/MBA dual degree program offers an opportunity to combine a broad-based program in the medical sciences with professional study in health care management and administration. The combined degree program reduces what would otherwise be three years of study for two graduate degrees to two years, including two summer sessions. The MBA with concentration in health care management taken as a separate degree requires completion of 64 credits. The MA in Medical Sciences, taken separately, requires the completion of 32 credits. The joint MA/MBA, however, is awarded upon completion of 80 credits, distributed as described below.

Applicants to the MA/MBA program must meet the requirements for admission to an MA program in the Division of Graduate Medical Sciences. In addition, special requirements for the School of Management include: submission of the official scores on the Graduate Management Admissions Test and completion of undergraduate introductory studies in the humanities and social sciences.

Applications

Students apply by completing an application to the Division of Graduate Medical Sciences and an application to the School of Management, indicating on each form that admission to the joint degree program is desired. Letters of recommendation, test scores, and transcripts must accompany one of the applications and are shared by both admissions committees.

Students already enrolled in either program who decide to pursue a joint degree may, with the counsel of their advisor, apply for formal admission to the other School. Upon acceptance, the director of the joint program reviews the applicant's transcript and advises what courses may be taken to complete the combined dual degree requirements.

Degree Requirements

Candidates usually register for two semesters in the Division of Graduate Medical Sciences (GMS) and two semesters and two summer sessions in the Graduate School of Management (GSM), but may cross-register and take courses in both Schools in any semester. For the MBA degrees, students must successfully complete nine core courses (36 credits), five special courses in health care management, and 8 credits taken as SMG electives. For the MA in Medical Sciences, students must complete 14 credits of core courses and at least 8 credits from selected electives. Any remaining credits may be taken in either the School of Medicine or the School of Management. Up to 8 elective credits may be taken as directed study or research courses in the School of Management. Core and elective course requirements may vary slightly depending upon the individual student's academic background and selection of courses.

Thesis

A thesis is required. The thesis is to be based on research carried out by the candidate under direct supervision of a member of the graduate faculty selected by the candidate from the Division of Graduate Medical Sciences or the Graduate School of Management. The research project may involve library research only or a combination of library and laboratory (field) research. The thesis may be developed from a course paper with approval.

The program leading to the combined degrees of Doctor of Medicine and Master of Arts in Medical Sciences was established to provide students motivated toward research and academic careers with the opportunity for integrated scientific and medical training. The goal of the combined MA/MD program is to prepare its graduates for productive careers in both basic research and clinical medicine. Consequently, the program requires a laboratory research thesis. The dual degree program requires a minimum five years of study and leads to both the Doctor of Medicine and the Master of Arts in Medical Sciences degrees.

Admission

The applicant must meet the requirements for admission to the School of Medicine as a candidate for the MD degree and as a candidate for the MA degree. The minimum entrance requirements and the prerequisite courses for the MD degree are the same as those for the MA degree except that applicants for the combined MA/MD program are required to submit the results of the Medical College Admission Test only instead of the Graduate Record Examination, which is normally required for admission to the MA degree program.

It is anticipated that most of the applicants will apply directly for admission to the program as first-year medical students, but applications will be accepted at any time from students who are already in residence at the School of Medicine.

Application

Applications for the MA/MD program and instructions for submission of complete credentials are available from the Boston University School of Medicine, Office of Admissions, 715 Albany Street, Boston, MA 02118-2526. Applicants are first screened for their admissibility to the School of Medicine's MD degree program, using the same procedures and criteria used for students who apply to the MD degree program only. After determination of acceptability for admission to the MD program, application for the dual degree program is submitted for processing through the normal channels for admission to the MA degree program. Please note that initial action by the Admissions Office on the MD application implies no differences between the Schools in standards of acceptance. Rather, it reflects the fact that the first-year class in medicine is limited to a finite number. The normal channel of admission to the MA program includes acceptance by the basic science department in which the applicant wishes to carry out research.

Degree Requirements

The degree requirements for the MA/MD program are those for the Doctor of Medicine and the Master of Arts in the School of Medicine. For the MD degree, the student must be at least 21 years of age; have been enrolled in an accredited medical school for at least four full academic years, two of which must have been spent in the regular third- and fourth-year courses at Boston University School of Medicine; have passed all required courses and examinations; and have discharged all financial obligations to Boston University. For the MA degree, the student must provide evidence of having been enrolled in the Division of Graduate Medical Sciences for at least one full academic year and one summer, attained the specified number of credits, and fulfilled the laboratory research thesis requirement for the Master of Arts in Medical Sciences. In the MA/MD program, the specific course requirements of the Master of Arts in Medical Sciences are satisfied by the regular medical curriculum. The 32 credits required for the MA degree can, therefore, be fulfilled through directed study and research credits. The curriculum as a whole is designed to provide at least a one-year research concentration in a specific area of medical science combined with the usual four-year medical curriculum.

Students admitted into the MA/MD program begin their training with the first year of the regular medical school curriculum and complete the second year of this curriculum before beginning work on the graduate portion of the program. After these two years, students begin their graduate education and research training in the basic science department and/or area of specialization of their choice. In the third year of the program, which includes the full academic year and one summer, the student is expected to devote full time to research and to register for 32 credits of directed study and/or research. There are no further formal graduate course requirements, although seminar attendance is required.

Thesis

Candidates are required to submit a written thesis based on the research carried out in the graduate year enrolled in the Division. This requirement may be completed during the third and fourth years of medicine.

Course Requirements

For postbachelor's and post-master's PhD degree programs are as follows:

The program for the PhD degree consists of the equivalent of two years of formal coursework and satisfactory completion of a laboratory research project, the results of which are to be incorporated in a dissertation. The candidate need not be in residence at Boston University during the time of preparation of the PhD dissertation. The program of study for the PhD must include the equivalent of 64 credits of graduate-level courses and research. Formal coursework must consist of at least 24 credits. Half of these total credits (32) may be satisfied by the MA degree, or its equivalent. In this case, a minimum of 8 credits in formal coursework must be taken in the Division of Graduate Medical Sciences at Boston University School of Medicine. A student must be enrolled for at least 4 credits each semester until completion of the credit requirements. After completion of all credit requirements, the student must be enrolled as a continuing student each regular semester until all requirements for the degree have been met, except under conditions of authorized leave of absence. (See the "General Requirements for the PhD" section.)

Course Requirements, Selection, and Fields of Specialization

The PhD candidate's outline of study for courses of instruction should be developed in the light of individual needs and background, as worked out in consultation with the major advisor, and approved by the chairman or director of the major department or program of the Division of Graduate Medical Sciences.

In addition to the general requirements of the Division, each candidate must fulfill the following minimum requirements corresponding to the major area of specialization.

The combined degree program is conducted under the auspices of the School of Medicine and is designed for and open to highly qualified individuals who are strongly motivated toward an education and a career in both medicine and research. The purpose of the program is to provide students with the opportunity to obtain advanced education and research training in one of the medical sciences, while providing exposure to and training in clinical medicine. The program requires seven years of study and leads to both the MD and PhD degrees.

Application

The applicant must meet the requirements for admission both to the Medical School as a candidate for the MD degree and as a candidate for the PhD degree, as outlined above. The minimum entrance requirements and the prerequisite courses for the MD degree are the same as those for the PhD degree. Applicants for the MD/PhD Combined Degree Program are required to submit the results of the Medical College Admission Test only and not those of the Graduate Record Examination, which are normally required for admission to the PhD program. The applicant must also have completed the special prerequisites of the major department or program. The latter prerequisite courses may be completed while the candidate is in residence as a graduate student but may not be presented for graduate credit. Applicants must also have carried out research during their undergraduate program or have research experience. Most applicants apply for admission to enter the program as first-year students, but applications are accepted from students who are already in residence in the School of Medicine.

Applicants must apply simultaneously to the School of Medicine (via American Medical College Application Service, 1776 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20036) and the Division of Graduate Medical Sciences. The applicant is also asked to notify the School of Medicine, Boston University Medical Center, 715 Albany Street, Boston, MA 02118-2526, in writing, that the student has completed both applications and is applying for the combined MD/PhD degree program.

The information on application procedures given above applies only to applicants for the combined MD/PhD degree. There are special eligibility requirements for students who are enrolled in graduate programs and who wish to apply to the Medical School as candidates for the MD degree only. Students currently enrolled in a graduate program may apply to the Medical School in the terminal year of the graduate program for which they were originally accepted. Students are required to submit a letter from the thesis or major advisor, which has been countersigned by the chairman of the department or program in which they are concentrating, approving of their application. Evidence of completion of all the graduate degree requirements must be submitted before matriculation into the Medical School.

Degree Requirements

The degree requirements for the combined MD/PhD program are the separate degree requirements for the Doctor of Medicine and the Doctor of Philosophy in the School of Medicine. For the MD degree, the student must be at least 21 years of age; have been enrolled in the School of Medicine for at least four full academic years; have passed all required courses and examinations; and have discharged all financial obligations to Boston University. For the PhD degree, the student must have fulfilled all the requirements for admission to the Division of Graduate Medical Sciences and have been enrolled in the Division for the equivalent of at least two full academic years. In addition, the candidate must have fulfilled all the requirements for major (and in some cases minor fields of specialization), qualifying examination, and dissertation, as described above. Interdisciplinary programs, such as the MD/PhD program in Biomedical Engineering can also be arranged. Students enrolled in the combined MD/PhD program must complete the requirements for both degrees before any degree will be awarded.