Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
Curriculum and Requirements for the PhD Degree
Courses
Faculty
Graduate School Course Requirements for PhD and MD/PhD Students
Chairman Leonard S. Gottlieb
Associate Chairman and
Director of Graduate Studies Adrianne E. Rogers
Programs of Study
The Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine offers a doctoral program in pathology that includes experimental pathology, and two interdepartmental tracks (immunology and cell molecular biology). In addition, a neurosciences track is being developed. The doctoral program is broadly based, offers research training in both clinical and basic investigations of disease and encourages students to integrate the two areas where appropriate in their doctoral research. Integration of basic research principles with knowledge of pathophysiology in humans and laboratory animals is a major goal of the training program. The integration is achieved by the close affiliation with Boston Medical Center Hospital pathology which is in the same department and with other clinical departments.
Understanding the predisposing factors and pathological processes leading to disease, at the molecular, cellular, organ, and whole body levels, should ultimately lead to better strategies for prevention and therapy of disease. For example, areas of great interest in current research are the mechanisms that underlie the development of cancer and degenerative diseases, the workings of the immune system in defense against disease, and the genetic bases of many diseases.
The research interests of the faculty include the following: mechanisms of chemical carcinogenesis and mutagenesis and of tumor cell responses to drugs; molecular and cellular immunology, including structure-function analysis and engineering of model and therapeutic antibodies and T cell receptors, characterization and study of factors that determine lymphocyte migration and activity and immunotoxicology; human somatic cell, molecular and cancer genetics; cancers of the breast and the gastrointestinal tract; nutritional effects on toxicity and carcinogenicity of chemicals; mechanisms of cell signalling; roles of growth factors and extracellular matrix in growth and differentiation of tissues; neurochemistry; pathogenesis of atherosclerotic vascular disease. Several faculty members participate actively in the Program in Research on Women's Health. Methods of investigation, in addition to morphologic procedures used in classical pathology and ultrastructural studies, include culture and study of bacterial and mammalian cells and tissues; biochemical and molecular analyses of cell constituents; recombinant DNA technologies; immunological manipulation of cells and animals; immunological and other methods for identification of cell components and of genetic and other biological markers.
The curriculum comprises study in formal courses and laboratory
experience extending over one to two years, followed by a comprehensive
written and oral qualifying examination, taken within one semester
after completion of required coursework. Within the following
year a proposal for dissertation research is prepared and presented
to the student's individual dissertation committee. The research
is then performed under the guidance of the major advisor with
the help and advice of the committee over the ensuing two or more
years. Ultimately the student writes and defends a dissertation
based upon the research performed.
The required courses are listed in the table below. The track
chosen (pathology or interdepartmental, pathology-immunology is
shown as an example) and the degree program (PhD or MD/PhD) determine
the specific curriculum. For information on the cell and molecular
biology track, please refer to the section "Doctor
of Philosophy Program in Cell and Molecular Biology". Laboratory
rotations are performed as early as possible in the course of
studies to: (1) acquaint the students with research opportunities
in the program; (2) teach a variety of approaches to research;
(3) teach specific research methods; and (4) permit choice of
an area for dissertation research. Rotations can be taken in the
summer before beginning formal coursework, during the first year
of study, or the following summer. The dissertation research advisor
should be chosen and preliminary work in the area of research
begun early in the second year of study.
Jan K. Blusztajn PhD, Associate Professor
Steven A. Bogen MD, PhD, Assistant Professor
Nancy L. R. Bucher MD, Research Professor
Bohdana F. Burke MD, Assistant Professor
Thomas Christensen PhD, Associate Professor
Leonard S. Gottlieb MD, Professor
John Hayes MD, PhD, Professor
David M. Larson PhD, Associate Professor
Richard Mandel PhD, Associate Professor
Mary J. Murnane PhD, Associate Professor
Michael J. O'Brien MD, Professor
Adrianne E. Rogers MD, Professor
Hugues J.-P. Ryser MD, Professor
Jacqueline Sharon PhD, Professor
Sania Shuja MD, PhD, Assistant Professor
Barbara E. Slack PhD, Assistant Professor
Selwyn A. Broitman PhD, Professor (Microbiology)
Iih-Nan (George) Chou PhD, Professor (Microbiology)
Douglas V. Faller MD, PhD, Professor (Medicine)
Matthew Fenton PhD, Associate Professor (Medicine)
Patricia L. Foster PhD, Professor of Public Health (Environmental
Health)
Thomas F. Freddo PhD, Professor (Ophthalmology)
Kevan L. Hartshorn MD, Associate Professor (Medicine)
Shyr-Te Ju PhD, Research Professor (Medicine)
Thomas L. Kemper MD, Professor (Neurology)
Hardy Kornfeld MD, Associate Professor (Medicine)
Neil Kowall MD, Professor (Neurology)
Herbert Z. Kupchik PhD, Professor (Microbiology)
Adam Lerner MD, PhD, Assistant Professor (Medicine)
Ann Marshak-Rothstein PhD, Professor (Microbiology)
Aubrey Milunsky MD, Professor (Pediatrics)
Carol Rosenberg MD, Assistant Professor (Medicine)
David J. Salant MD, Professor (Medicine)
David H. Sherr PhD, Professor (Environmental Health)
Alfred I. Tauber MD, Professor (Medicine)
Michael T. Watkins MD, Associate Professor (Surgery)
Daniel G. Wright MD, Professor (Medicine)
PhD Students MD/PhD Students
Basic and Experimental Pathology (6 credits) PhD
Students MD/PhD Students
Biostatistics: Introduction to Statistical Computing or
Intermediate Biostatistics (4 credits) PhD
Students MD/PhD
Students
Special Topics/Pathology (4 credits) PhD
Students MD/PhD
Students
Medical Immunology (2 credits) PhD
Students
Basic Immunology (4 credits) PhD
Students MD/PhD Students
Advanced Immunology: Molecular Aspects (2 credits) PhD
Students MD/PhD Students
Advanced Immunology: Cellular Aspects (2 credits) PhD
Students MD/PhD
Students
Pathology Seminar (2 credits) PhD
Students MD/PhD
Students
Pathology Laboratory Rotations (2 credits per rotation) PhD
Students MD/PhD
Students
Pathology Research (credits variable) PhD
Students MD/PhD
Students
Seminars in Ethics in Biomedical Research PhD
Students MD/PhD
Students
Human Genetics (4 credits) PhD Students MD/PhD Students
Cell Biology (4 credits) PhD Students MD/PhD
Students
Nucleic Acids (4 credits) PhD Students MD/PhD
Students
Pathobiochemistry (2 credits) PhD
Students MD/PhD Students
Special Topics/Biochemistry (2 credits) PhD
Students MD/PhD Students
Growth Control and Cell Transformation (4 credits) PhD
Students MD/PhD Students
Advanced Virology (4 credits) PhD
Students MD/PhD Students
Genetics of Microorganisms (4 credits) PhD
Students MD/PhD Students
Cellular Physiology (2 credits) PhD
Students MD/PhD Students
Published by Trustees of Boston University
11 March 1999
Top of Page
Curriculum and Requirements for the PhD Degree
Top of Page
Courses
Lectures and discussion
sessions presenting the basic morphologic and functional changes
of major disease processes: cell injury and death, inflammation,
cell and tissue response to microbial organisms, atherosclerosis,
cancer, etc. Pathology faculty. 4 cr, 2nd sem.
Prereq:
Biochemistry. Basic principles of immunology, with emphasis on
their medical relevance, presented through lectures and independent
reading followed by a discussion session. The lectures and the
major examination coincide with those offered to the first-year
medical students. Sharon. 2 cr, 2nd sem.
Prereq:
GMS BI 755, 756 or equivalent, and status of PhD candidate or
higher. Basic principles of pathology and immunology are presented
through lectures, laboratory sessions and computer-assisted instruction.
Related research articles and basic histology are discussed in
small group sessions that complement the lectures. Note: The immunology
requirement is satisfied before registration by the medical immunology
course (GMS PA 510) or an equivalency examination offered by the
instructor, or MED ME 513. Sharon. 6 cr, 1st sem.
Prereq:
GMS BI 755,756 or equivalent. An examination of molecules of immunological
interest through discussion of research articles and occasional
lectures. Topics include gene structure, control of gene expression,
and the structure-function relationship of these molecules. Emphasis
is placed on the use of recombinant DNA and immunological methods.
Offered alternate years. Sharon. 2 cr, 2nd sem.
Prereq: microbiology,
GMS MI 511, or equivalent, and consent of instructor. Host defense
mechanisms in infectious diseases and neoplasia and basic chemotherapeutic
approaches to these diseases are considered in lectures and class
discussions. The role of nutrition in both pathogenesis of and
protection against these disease is presented. Broitman. 2 cr,
2nd sem.
Weekly
research seminar presented by faculty, students, and guests. Blusztajn,
Murnane. 2 cr, 1st & 2nd sem.
Detailed
examination of one specific area of research each term, presented
in readings, discussions, and lectures. Presents significant background
information, current knowledge, research approaches, and laboratory
methodology in each area. Pathology faculty. 2 cr, 1st & 2nd sem.DIRECTED STUDY or RESEARCH
Top of Page
Faculty
Charles F. Arkin MD, ProfessorJoint Faculty
David I. Beller PhD, Associate Research Professor
(Medicine)
Top of Page
Graduate School Course Requirements for PhD and MD/PhD Students
Biochemistry
(6 credits)
Pathology Track -- required
(GMS
751 is required, although BI 555 and 556 (Biochemistry A and B,
4 credits each) can be substituted with permission.)
Pathology-Immunology
Track -- required
Pathology &
Pathology-Immunology
Tracks
fulfilled by medical school courses
Pathology Track & Pathology-Immunology Tracks
-- required
Pathology &
Pathology-Immunology
Tracks
fulfilled by medical school courses
Pathology
& Pathology-Immunology Tracks -- required
Pathology
& Pathology-Immunology Tracks -- required
Pathology
& Pathology-Immunology Tracks -- required
Pathology
& Pathology-Immunology Tracks -- required
(The Special Topics
course is required in three of the first four semesters in the
conventional track and for one semester in the immunology track.)
Pathology
Track -- required
Pathology-Immunology
Track required
Pathology &
Pathology-Immunology
Tracks -- fulfilled by medical school courses
Pathology Track -- elective
Pathology-Immunology
Track -- required
Pathology Track
-- elective
Pathology-Immunology Track -- required
Pathology-Immunology Track -- required
Pathology-Immunology Track -- required
Pathology
& Pathology-Immunology Tracks -- required
Pathology
& Pathology-Immunology Tracks -- required
(Attendance at departmental
seminars is required through all terms of study and research.)
Pathology & Pathology-Immunology Tracks --
required
Pathology & Pathology-Immunology Tracks -- required
(Three
rotations for PhD students and two rotations for MD/PhD students.)
Pathology
& Pathology-Immunology Tracks -- required
Pathology
& Pathology-Immunology Tracks -- required
Pathology
& Pathology-Immunology Tracks -- required
Pathology
& Pathology-Immunology Tracks -- required
(Presented by the
Medical Center and the Division of Graduate Medical Sciences.)
Pathology
Track -- elective
Pathology Track
-- elective
Pathology
& Pathology-Immunology Tracks -- elective
Pathology
& Pathology-Immunology Tracks -- elective
Pathology
& Pathology-Immunology Tracks -- elective
Pathology
& Pathology-Immunology Tracks -- elective
Pathology
Track -- elective
Pathology Track
elective
Pathology-Immunology
Track -- elective
Pathology-Immunology
Track -- elective
Pathology-Immunology
Track -- elective
Pathology-Immunology
Track -- elective
Pathology-Immunology
Track -- elective
Pathology-Immunology
Track -- elective
Pathology-Immunology
Track -- elective
Pathology-Immunology
Track -- elective
Pathology-Immunology
Track -- elective
Pathology-Immunology
Track -- elective
147 Bay State Road
Boston, MA 02215
Page prepared by the
Office of Publications Production and the
Office of Information Technology
Boston University
GMS Questions