Biomedical & Healthcare Graduate and Undergraduate Courses

Understanding medical terminology is fundamental for anyone working in the sciences. It is the language of the technician or researcher involved in biotechnology, biomedical investigations, or clinical research. Students learn the analysis and construction of medical words within a context of scientific concepts. After the basics, students learn the anatomy and diseases of the following systems: male and female reproductive, cardiovascular, respiratory, and blood. Technology fee applies to online section only.  [ 2 cr. ]

Prereq: GMS BT 104 (Med Term 1) or consent of program director. Continue building your medical vocabulary as you learn the anatomy and diseases of the following systems: digestive, urinary, lymphatic/immune and endocrine. Technology fee applies to online section only.  [ 2 cr. ]

Prereq: One semester of biology, two semesters of chemistry and BT 208 (Ess. Math for Biotech) or consent of program director. Provides a theoretical and practical foundation in laboratory science. Students are introduced to the scientific method, laboratory mathematics, chemistry, biochemistry, cell and molecular biology, and immunology. Students learn hands-on solution making, electrophoresis, protein quantitation and other commonly used laboratory methods. Emphasis is placed on lab safety, proper handling of instruments, careful following of written instructions for lab procedures, maintenance of lab notebooks, and data collection, presentation and analysis. Laboratory course.  [ 4 cr. ]

This course introduces students to the basic sciences of biotechnology (cell biology, immunology, DNA/molecular biology) and describes DNA technologies used in gene therapy and microarray technology and in the production of recombinant protein drugs, antibodies, vaccines, and transgenic animals/plants. The challenges of bringing protein drugs from R&D through large scale manufacturing and the FDA approval process are also discussed. First half of spring semester.  [ 2 cr. ]

Prereq: BT 160. Recent innovations in the fields of molecular biology, immunology and cell biology have provided new insights into the pathogenesis of cancer, infectious diseases, and other intractable diseases. The biotech industry has contributed immensely to this progress and has furthermore accelerated the development of cutting-edge technologies that promise to deliver more effective drugs, vaccines and diagnostics. Biotechnology 2 explores some of the ways in which biotechnology has impacted medicine. Students participate in this exploration through readings of recent scientific articles, class discussions and library/internet research. Second half of spring semester.  [ 2 cr. ]

Prereq: One semester of biology. This course provides a practical understanding of anatomic structures and coordinates this knowledge with the various functions of the human body. Also explored are regulatory processes that integrate cells, tissues, organs and systems. Topics include: organization of the body, tissue development, cellular structure and function as well as the integumentary (skin), skeletal, and muscular systems. The last third of the course focuses on the nervous system. The course incorporates clinical material throughout.   [ 4 cr. ]

Prereq: GMS BT 201 (A&P 1) or consent of program director. This course is the second half of an intensive sequence designed to integrate the structure with the function of the human body. The course covers the endocrine, cardiovascular, lymphatic and immune, respiratory, digestive, urinary and reproductive systems. Students study these systems as they relate to homeostasis and clinical disorders. Laboratory exercises on each system are incorporated into the course materials.   [ 4 cr. ]

This course will provide students with training in fundamental writing mechanics, basic scientific writing, and oral presentations. The class will help to develop the ability to communicate science effectively in a variety of contexts, including how to present science to non-expert audiences. The course will be taught in two parts: Part-1: Will teach and reiterate fundamental writing skills that students need to master in order to write clearly, concisely, and effectively; Part-2: Will contain a number of writing and presentation exercises that prepare students to write a full-length report of a scientific study. Examples of class topics include: Defining what is good writing; Writing basics--punctuation, grammar, parallelism; Paragraphs, logic flow and organization; Dissecting a scientific abstract, etc.  [ 4 cr. ]

Prereq: College algebra. This course prepares students for math calculations commonly used in biotech/biomedical laboratories, and in BLCS courses such as BT 110 (Intro Biomed Lab Sci), BT 411 (Protein Purific.), and BT 454 (Cell Culture). Topics include scientific notation, metric system, solution concentration, dilutions, and logarithmic scales. Some classes are held in the laboratory so that students can apply math skills to solution making, serial dilutions and standard curves. Students also develop strategies for solving word problems and explore the essential elements of data organization, summarization and presentation. Some laboratory exercises.  [ 4 cr. ]

Prereq: GMS BT 560 GCP or equivalent or consent of program director. This course introduces students to the structure, content, and regulatory requirements of documents created for the clinical research industry. Students learn about FDA regulations and ICH guidelines for drugs and biologics, the AMA Manual of Style, and other common industry standards. Students learn to apply these industry standards to compose clinical research documents such as a clinical study protocol, informed consent form, and clinical study results.  [ 4 cr. ]

Prereq: BT 110 (Intro Biomed Lab Sci). This course provides a detailed knowledge of the role of Current Good Manufacturing Practices (CGMPs) and a Quality Department in the development and manufacture of biopharmaceutical products. Topics include the goals and obligations of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), a review of the CGMP subparts, and the responsibilities of a Quality Department in ensuring product quality. CGMPs are the FDA's minimal requirements for manufacturing, processing, packing, and holding of a drug product. Emphasis is on understanding the intent and practical application of these regulations. Topics include the regulations and historical perspective, quality control concepts, case studies and examples of FDA enforcement.   [ 4 cr. ]

Prereq: GMS BT 104 or 106 Medical Terminology or equivalent or permission of program director. This course is designed to familiarize students with concepts of public health as a field of study and how different diseases impact society. We will use the Boston Public Health Commission report on the "Health of Boston" as a template for learning about healthcare disparities, social justice, cancer screening, cancer incidence and mortality, infectious diseases and environmental factors that impact people and population health. Students will begin to make connections between previous coursework, such as cell biology, pathology and anatomy, as well as new concepts, including epidemiology, immunology and experimental designs, as they pertain to the study of human disease. The goal of the course is to give students a knowledge-base that can prepare them for thinking critically should they decide to work in a research, diagnostic or public health setting.   [ 4 cr. ]

Prereq: GMS BT110 and GMS BT208. This course will focus on the fundamental laboratory skills that students need to prepare for a career in the biomedical sciences. The course emphasizes the theoretical as well as the applied aspects of basic methodologies in research. The course is reinforced with applied, hands-on laboratory sessions that provides practical experience in the topics covered in the preceding lectures. The majority of class time will be designed to provide students with ample hands-on time in the lab to practice their skills in the presence of the course instructor. The course will focus on providing students with a set of basic laboratory skills, such as safety practices, laboratory mathematics, documentation, and good laboratory ethics. Students will also be educated in research methodology, data analysis, and data presentation. Topics covered include solution chemistry; protein extraction and detection using Western blot and ELISA; the basic principles of immunohistochemistry; cell culture basics, and RNA extraction. Students, even those with some previous laboratory hands-on experience, will benefit from this course because of its combined focus on the theoretical and applied aspects of laboratory techniques/methods. The proposed topics of study would include: Introduction to Proteins Protein Detection Methods; Gene Expression; Principles of Immunohistochemistry and Protein Colonization; Microscopy and Imaging, etc.   [ 4 cr. ]

This course provides students with an introductory overview of the world of medical devices, from bandages to defibrillators. Students explore what the applicable regulations are, starting with the FDA, and how companies use these regulations to guide the design, development, and marketing of their products. Most classes contain an interesting mix of rules, realities, and renegades, that includes a unique component called, "At the Drugstore," where students focus an educated eye on commonly found items on the shelf. In addition, students learn about jobs and career opportunities within the medical device industry and how to gain entry into the field.  [ 4 cr. ]

Prereq: BT 413 (MolBio) and computer proficiency. Bioinformatics is a practical discipline that informs basic science research as well as pharmaceutical development. The class is designed to introduce key bioinformatic principles and provide many opportunities to put those principles into practice on homework assignments and the term project. Key concepts of molecular biology will be reviewed in the first lecture. Subsequent lectures will introduce bioinformatic techniques in the context of a disease/application area-including infectious disease control, cancer, and next generation sequencing. Data from validated public databases will be used to solve real- world problems in class. At the end of the semester, we will look at exciting, new developments in the field and grapple with contemporary legal/ethical issues in biomedical informatics.  [ 4 cr. ]

Prereq: GMS BT110, GMS BT208, and GMS BT301. This course introduces students to eukaryotic cell structure and function, and covers various cellular components -- including the plasma membrane, mitochondria and the cytoskeleton -- and examine their roles in the cell. Additionally, students explore essential cellular processes including cell communication and the cell cycle. The course also highlights the unique features of some specialized cell types such as germ and stem cells.  [ 4 cr. ]

Clinical research auditing ensures that the rights, safety, and well being of the study subject have been protected and the clinical study data are credible. Auditing clinical trial activities provides the strict oversight of performance with the ultimate goal of having a successful submission and identifying opportunities for improvement. In this practical course, students learn how to prepare and conduct audits, write audit observations, create an audit report and review audit report responses. In addition, students learn how to manage audits by an outside agency. Good Clinical Practice (GCP) guidelines and regulatory requirements are reviewed along with exploring the concept of a quality system and the writing of audit program Standard Operating Procedure (SOP). Developing an audit plan is emphasized. Group discussions and role- playing are used to develop practical audit techniques. This class prepares a student for an introductory auditing position within clinical research.  [ 4 cr. ]

Prereq: Satisfactory completion of 1 semester of college biology with lab, 2 semesters of college chemistry with lab, and GMS BT342. This course introduces students to the fundamental biochemical principles that underlie cell function. Topics include the structure and function of biomolecules, including proteins, lipids, carbohydrates and nucleic acids, as well as the metabolic pathways involved in their synthesis and degradation. Emphasis is given to metabolic regulation and mechanisms of enzyme action.  [ 4 cr. ]

Prereq: one semester of biology and two semesters of chemistry. Provides the student with an understanding of clinically important microorganisms. Students become familiar with the classification, pathogenicity, identification, and prevention and treatment of diseases caused by bacteria, fungi, and parasites as well as the workings of a modern clinical microbiology laboratory. Laboratory course.  [ 4 cr. ]

Prereq: BT 104 and BT 342. This course is designed to familiarize students with the cellular and molecular basis of many different types of diseases, including infectious diseases and genetic disorders. Students begin to make connections between previous coursework, such as cell biology and anatomy. Students also learn new concepts, histology, and experimental design, as they pertain to the study of human disease. The goal of the course is to give student a knowledge base that can prepare them for thinking critically about pathology should they decide to work in a laboratory researching disease or to pursue further education in a disease-related field.  [ 4 cr. ]

Prereq: one semester of biology and two semesters of chemistry, BT 342 (Cell Bio) or BT 413 (Mol Bio). This course focuses on human genetics with a strong emphasis on the relationship between DNA structure, disease manifestation, and inheritance. The course reviews the molecular mechanisms underlying the flow of information within a cell from DNA to protein, population genetics, genetics of immunity and cancer, reproductive technologies, epigenetics, genomics and cancer stem cells. The class includes lectures and student presentations.  [ 4 cr. ]

This online class explores the newest information and legal and bioethical implications in human genetics, using audio-visuals, actual cases, discussions and lecture. Topics include: new reproductive techniques, genetic diseases, prenatal testing and genetic testing, DNA fingerprinting, cloning, and DNA technology. Online only; technology fee applies.  [ 4 cr. ]

This course addresses the legal, ethical and scientific aspects of Assisted Reproduction (also called ART-Assisted Reproductive Techniques). The science of treating infertility has expanded amazingly in the last 15 years, from the use of sperm donors to selling eggs on the internet. Assisted Reproductive techniques are constantly changing and have given rise to many legal cases and ethical questions, which this course will. This course closely examines these legal and ethical questions. Online only; technology fee applies.  [ 4 cr. ]

Prereq: BT 560 (GCP), BT 575 (Design & Conduct of Clin Trials) or consent of program director. This course integrates a comprehensive review of the good clinical practice core principles and project management strategies applicable to clinical research. Through lectures, case studies and discussions, students examine the concepts and applied techniques for cost estimation, budgeting, allocation of resources, risk management and quality assurance for clinical research projects. Project management principles and methodologies are discussed with a special focus on planning, controlling, and coordinating individual and group efforts.  [ 4 cr. ]

This course will focus on more advanced laboratory skills that students would benefit from as they prepare for a career in the biomedical sciences. The course emphasizes the theoretical as well as the applied aspects of advanced research techniques in the biomedical sciences. The course is reinforced with applied, hands-on laboratory sessions that would provide practical experience in the topics covered in the preceding lectures. The majority of class time will be designed to provide students with ample hands-on time in the lab to practice their skills in the presence of the course instructor. The course will focus on providing students with a set of specialized laboratory skills, such as advanced cell culture practices, protein purification, and biospecimen processing and imaging. Students will also be educated in research methodology, data analysis, and data presentation. Topics covered include: transfections; reporter assays and a variety of optical assays; chromatography, electrophoresis and blotting techniques; dissection, tissue preservation techniques, and photomicroscopy. Students, even those with some previous laboratory hands-on experience, will benefit from this course because of its combined focus on the theoretical and applied aspects of advance laboratory techniques/methods.  [ 4 cr. ]

Prereq: one semester of biology, two semesters of chemistry, BT 454 (Cell Culture) and BT 413 (Mol Bio) or consent of program director. Cell culture has become an indispensable tool for all areas of biomedical science. In the course, students develop the necessary routine for work in a cell culture lab by passaging cell lines throughout the course and determining growth characteristics under different conditions. At the same time, students isolate and analyze biomolecules from these cell lines and perform experiments using advanced techniques, such as transfections, reporter gene assays, as well as a variety of optical assays (absorbance, luminescence, and fluorescence assays). At the end of the course, students communicate their work and results during a poster session. Laboratory course.  [ 4 cr. ]

Prereq: BT 405 (Biochem) and BT 413 (Mol Bio) or consent of program director. This course focuses on the cellular and molecular changes that underlie the development and progression of human cancer. Students examine the pathways and processes that involve oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes to understand how they can contribute to cancer. Complex interactions including angiogenesis, tumor immunology, invasion and metastasis are studied as well. In addition,the course covers targeted approaches to cancer therapy and the latest scientific research including cancer epigenetics, microRNAs and cancer stem cells.  [ 4 cr. ]

Clinical research is conducted to meet the needs of the intended patient population with an investigational medical intervention. But a favorable medical outcome is not the only criterion that is used to judge whether a product can be marketed. Clinical research needs to meet the rigorous standards of the regulators, the ethicists, and the auditors. This course reviews the laws that are in place that are designed to guide the complexities of clinical research. We will use case studies to illustrate what can really happen when clinical studies are conducted -- you may be surprised with what you find. Using group activities and exercises, we will explore the options and approaches used to manage these clinical research issues. 4 cr.   [ 4 cr. ]

This course introduces the international standards for ethical conduct of research and maintaining the highest level of scientific quality when conducting clinical trials. Topics include the regulatory responsibilities of sponsors, monitors, and investigators conducting clinical trials; the phases of clinical trials leading up to FDA approval of a new drug or device; and how to get a trial up and running including the selection of qualified investigators, obtaining approval to conduct the study from an ethics committee, and completing the regulatory documentation that is required for getting a site ready to enroll patients. The course also covers ensuring data integrity, handling ethical dilemmas, and reporting of serious adverse events. Case studies, review of current media, and exercises will be used to practice the application of information provided in class and to demonstrate GCP compliance from an industry perspective. Group discussions, individual and group projects, and guest speakers help students learn the practical skills used in the field.  [ 4 cr. ]

This is course will provide senior BLCS students the opportunity to gain hands-on laboratory research experience. The research practicum will give each student the opportunity to work closely with a BUSM faculty member on a hypothesis-driven research project. You will be trained in a cutting-edge laboratory setting that will allow you to develop and practice various research methods/techniques in a guided/mentored study. Research projects will be either part of a study faculty are currently involved and/or a project faculty would like to pursue. Students will discuss and design a project together with your faculty mentor and work in the lab to fulfill the calculated work hour requirements.   [ Var cr. ]

This is course will provide senior BLCS students the opportunity to gain hands-on laboratory research experience. The research practicum will give each student the opportunity to work closely with a BUSM faculty member on a hypothesis-driven research project. You will be trained in a cutting-edge laboratory setting that will allow you to develop and practice various research methods/techniques in a guided/mentored study. Research projects will be either part of a study faculty are currently involved and/or a project faculty would like to pursue. Students will discuss and design a project together with your faculty mentor and work in the lab to fulfill the calculated work hour requirements.   [ Var cr. ]

for Fall and Summer 1 semesters. Prereq: 16 credits in clinical research. Directed study offering direct experience with the conduct of a clinical trial. Student will work on a supervised project within an approved clinical research site. For matriculated students only; register via the program director.  [ Var cr. ]

for Spring and Summer 2 semesters. Prereq: 16 credits in clinical research. Directed study offering direct experience with the conduct of a clinical trial. Student will work on a supervised project within an approved clinical research site. For matriculated students only; register via the program director.  [ Var cr. ]

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This course provides students with basic knowledge of how the health care system in the U.S. is structured, and the policies, stakeholders and complexities impacting access to care, costs, quality and equity among various populations. Drawing on multiple views and opinions, students build on their perspectives as they critically analyze pros and cons of health system fundamentals. Students then apply their knowledge to a series of practical written assignments that help build a strategic plan for improving the health outcomes of an underserved population in their home state. An emphasis is placed on written and oral delivery of final project campaigns.
Please note: This 4-credit course meets over a 7-week period. Students should expect about twice the weekly workload of a 14-week course.   [ 4 cr. ]

This foundational course examines and bridges the theory and practice of interpersonal, organizational, mass communication, and digital media relevant to the professional communicator and health practitioner alike. It reviews strategies of persuasion, the relationship between attitudes and health behavior through the lifespan, and the changing nature of health, illness and health delivery in local and global arenas. Students consider how the Social Determinants of Health (where we live, learn, work and play) impact health behaviors and outcomes for diverse populations. Starting with the history of health communication, students gain insight into the evolution of this emerging discipline, from public health education to its broader place in the marketing mix through recent decades. Guided by case studies, research and analysis, students explore the health communication cycle and strategic planning process using frames, channels and tools best suited for reaching behavioral, social, and organizational objectives. The course shifts from theoretical to practical, giving students hands-on experience developing a strategic health communication campaign that considers culture, age, gender and health literacy, to effectively -- and measurably -- influence health outcomes for its intended audience.
Please note: This 4-credit course meets over a 7-week period. Students should expect about twice the weekly workload of a 14-week course.  [ 4 cr. ]

There is a growing demand for professionals with the skills to collect, analyze and interpret data. This course prepares students with essential knowledge of primary research methods, and how to apply them -- accurately and ethically -- to the practice of health communication. Beginning with the basics of research design and evaluation, the course progresses through qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods, survey design, descriptive statistics, focus groups and other approaches, with the goal of helping health communication professionals create meaningful, data- driven strategies, stories and content. Students will practice analyzing, interpreting and writing about various health studies presented throughout the course. Also emphasized is the application of research to advertising messaging and public relations strategies.
Please note: This 4-credit course meets over a 7-week period. Students should expect about twice the weekly workload of a 14-week course.  [ 4 cr. ]

Effectively communicating knowledge, methods, language and terminology from the complex fields of health, science and medicine- and writing about them plainly- requires an advanced command of language, and proficient use of health literacy principles. If writing does not come naturally to you, this course will introduce you to those health literacy principles, as well as formats and processes for developing materials with confidence. If you're a more experienced writer, get ready to hone your skills using best practices for creating various kinds of health content. Throughout the course you'll analyze different audience needs and refine writing strategies, style, voice, and vocabulary to accommodate each audience. You'll also practice essential writing qualities, including clarity and brevity, alongside advanced grammar, sentence structure and writing mechanics. Assignments include writing, revising, and editing clear, accurate, audience-appropriate content for a journalistic news report; a patient education print brochure; narrative feature storytelling; a health-related blog; scriptwriting for a visual public service announcement, and social media writing to promote your content
Please note: This 4-credit course meets over a 7- week period. Students should expect about twice the weekly workload of a 14-week course.  [ 4 cr. ]

This course is recommended for students who are not Epidemiology concentrators. The purpose of this course is to introduce the basic principles and methods of epidemiology and demonstrate their applicability in the field of public health. A further objective is to provide an introduction to the basic skills needed to critically interpret the epidemiologic literature relevant to public health professionals.
Please note: This 4-credit course meets over a 7-week period. Students should expect about twice the weekly workload of a 14-week course.   [ 4 cr. ]

This course, designed for students who have little or no background in the biological sciences, provides a foundation in the biological mechanisms and principles underlying major health problems. Selected health problems are explored from a biological perspective in order to provide fundamental information about infectious and non-infectious agents of disease, disease transmission, biological defense mechanisms, co-evolution of man and microbes, the effects of nutritional deficiency and excess, effects of respiratory exposures, the biology of cancer, aging, and other topics. Each student completing this course should be able to knowledgeably participate in a discussion of related health problems with a basic understanding of the terminology, and the underlying biological mechanisms.
Please note: This 4- credit course meets over a 7-week period. Students should expect about twice the weekly workload of a 14-week course.  [ 4 cr. ]

This course provides an in-depth understanding of the essential concepts of marketing and their application to health care. Students gain a working knowledge of marketing tools (such as pricing, promotion, channels, consumer behavior, brand equity, and segmentation) and how to use them. Students build practical applied skills in analyzing marketing problems and developing marketing programs and strategies, with particular attention to health care and its organizational structures, financing, technologies, market demands, laws, and regulations. Students also expand their understanding of the differences and similarities between marketing in for- profit and not-for-profit health care organizations, and they increase their appreciation of the role of data collection, analysis, interpretation, and management in marketing decisions.
Please note: This 4-credit course meets over a 7-week period. Students should expect about twice the weekly workload of a 14-week course.  [ 4 cr. ]

Provides an overview of the professional principles and practices in public relations for corporate, governmental, agency and nonprofit organizations. Includes history, organization, and scope of the field; its roots in social science; types of campaigns and programs; and professional ethics. Theories, strategies, and tactics in current practice emphasized and applied to health communication. Explores opportunities and requirements for work in the field. Students will learn to apply the basic public relations campaign planning model and examine public relations specialty practice areas including media relations, community relations, government relations, crisis communication, investor relations and employee communication.
Please note: This 4-credit course meets over a 7-week period. Students should expect about twice the weekly workload of a 14-week course.  [ 4 cr. ]

An overview of the theories, practices, and techniques in the dynamic field of interactive marketing communications (IAMC). Students gain an understanding of the strategy and tactics of IAMC and its place in the more comprehensive field of marketing communications. In addition, students review IAMC's relationship to and its effects on society, culture, and the economic system. The course will explore almost all the ways interactive marketing can be practiced via the Internet: historical introduction, dotcom era, basic principles, database marketing, etail, email, search (SEO & SEM/PPC), display advertising, social networking, gaming, mobile, et al.
Please note: This 4-credit course meets over a 7-week period. Students should expect about twice the weekly workload of a 14-week course.   [ 4 cr. ]

Students learn publicity techniques used in mass media communication, including working with daily and weekly newspapers, magazines, radio, television, film and online media. The course will examine the principles and practices of working with mass media ""gatekeepers"" to accomplish campaign objectives as well as strategies and tactics for communicating directly with audiences through new media. Students will develop knowledge and skills related to the production and use of media relations tools with a focus on health communication. Case studies will be employed to understand the challenges and opportunities inherent in working with mass media as well as the special demands and practices associated with crisis communication. The course will also explore the roles of interactive and social media.
Please note: This 4-credit course meets over a 7-week period. Students should expect about twice the weekly workload of a 14-week course.  [ 4 cr. ]

Over the past two decades, the power of visuals in learning and retention has been increasingly recognized -- attributing as much as 80% of retention to information that is visually communicated. In a recent study, 85% of working professionals agreed that creative thinking is critical for problem solving in their career, and 71% say creative thinking should be taught as a course, like math and science. The efficacy of the use of visual symbols has also been recognized for bridging language barriers in health care settings. This course provides health communication professionals the fundamental principles of design and how these relate to effective communication, particularly in health education and delivery applications. Course lectures and resources will guide students from visual design theory, straight through content creation and measuring effectiveness of visual messaging. Students will explore various media and tools used to create digital images and get hands-on practice in the image editing process. Topics include conceptual design, critical thinking in the creation of practical design, how design relates to industry, human perception and the visual process, and the use of symbols for immediacy and to bridge cultural and literacy divides. In addition to exploring popular digital vehicles for visual storytelling, such as infographics, data visualization, video and mobile, the course will also present real- world challenges, such as ethics and regulations in digital communications, as well as business processes. Course requires access to a smartphone with camera and video capability or a digital camera/video.
Please note: This 4-credit course meets over a 7- week period. Students should expect about twice the weekly workload of a 14-week course.  [ 4 cr. ]

The course examines how healthcare organizations are tapping the power of social media to listen, learn, engage and act. This course helps students understand the power and importance of this fundamental shift in communication, and how savvy health care organizations are turning this shift into a strategic advantage. Together, we will examine the impact of the communication technology revolution on the field of health marketing and communication. Through extensive readings, case studies, project assignments, hands-on use of social media and weekly discussions, students will explore the extraordinary health communication challenges and opportunities driven by social media -- as well as the new and daunting problems and threats social media present to healthcare organizations. Students will learn how social media is used in health care and why using it effectively and efficiently has become a necessary skill for many health care professionals. As part of this course, students have the opportunity to earn the Mayo-Hootsuite Social Media Basics Certification, and participate in the Mayo Clinic Social Media Network community.
Please note: This 4-credit course meets over a 7-week period. Students should expect about twice the weekly workload of a 14-week course.  [ 4 cr. ]

This course is designed for IT professionals, and those training to be IT professionals, who are preparing for careers in healthcare-related IT (Health Informatics). This course provides a high-level introduction into basic concepts of biomedicine and familiarizes students with the structure and organization of American healthcare system and the roles played by IT in that system. The course introduces medical terminology, human anatomy and physiology, disease processes, diagnostic modalities, and treatments associated with common disease processes. IT case studies demonstrate the key roles of health informatics and how IT tools and resources help medical professionals integrate multiple sources of information to make diagnostic and therapeutic decisions.  [ 4 cr. ]

This course presents the fundamental principles, concepts, and technological elements that make up the building blocks of Health Informatics. It introduces the characteristics of data, information, and knowledge in the domain, the common algorithms for health applications, and IT components in representative clinical processes. It presents the conceptual framework for handling biomedical data collection, storage, and optimal use. It covers the concepts of population health and precision medicine and the information systems that support them. It introduces basic principles of knowledge management systems in biomedicine, various aspects of Health Information Technology standards, and IT aspects of clinical process modeling. Students design a simple Health Informatics solution as a term project.  [ 4 cr. ]

Health Information Systems are comprehensive application systems that automate the activities of healthcare delivery including clinical care using electronic health records (EHRs), coordination of care across providers, telehealth, management of the business of healthcare such as revenue cycle management, and population health management. The course covers the functionality of these systems, the underlying information technology they require and their successful operations. It addresses challenges in this rapidly changing field such as complex data, security, interoperability, mobile technology and distributed users. The course emphasizes applied use of health information systems through case studies, current articles, and exercises.  [ 4 cr. ]

The course provides a strong foundation in database security and auditing. This course utilizes Oracle scenarios and step-by-step examples. The following topics are covered: security, profiles, password policies, privileges and roles, Virtual Private Databases, and auditing. The course also covers advanced topics such as SQL injection, database management security issues such as securing the DBMS, enforcing access controls, and related issues. Prereq: MET CS 579 or MET CS 669; or instructor's consent.  [ 4 cr. ]

This course covers important topics that students need to understand in order to effectively manage a successful cybersecurity and privacy program, including governance, risk management, asset classification and incidence response. Students are first introduced to cybersecurity & privacy policy frameworks, governance, standards, and strategy. Risk tolerance is critical when building a cybersecurity and privacy program that supports business goals and strategies. Risk management fundamentals and assessment processes will be reviewed in depth including the methodology for identifying, quantifying, mitigating and controlling risks. Asset classification and the importance of protecting Intellectual Property (IP) will prepare students to understand and identify protection mechanisms needed to defend against malicious actors, including industry competitors and nation states. Incident Response programs will cover preparation and responses necessary to triage incidents and respond quickly to limit damage from malicious actors.   [ 4 cr. ]

This course introduces fundamental concepts, principles of cybersecurity and their use in the development of security mechanisms and policies. Topics include basic risk assessment and management; basic legal and ethics issues, various cyber attacks, defense methods and tools; security principles, models and components; different crypto protocols, techniques and tools, including symmetric and asymmetric encryption algorithms, hashing, public key infrastructure, and how they can be used; security threats and defense to hardware, operating systems, networks and applications in modern computing environments. Hands-on labs using current tools are provided and required. Prerequisite: METCS535 or METCS625 or instructor's consent.  [ 4 cr. ]

This course presents the details of information processing in hospitals, hospital information systems (HIS), and more broadly health information systems. It presents the architecture, design, and user requirements of information systems in health care environment. It focuses on Information Technology aspects of Health Informatics specifically addressing the design, development, operation, and management of HIS. The first part of this course covers the introductory concepts including information processing needs, and information management in health care environment. The second part covers detailed description of HIS including hospital process modeling, architecture, quality assessment, and applicable tools. The final part of the course covers management of HIS and related issues and extension of this topic to other health care organizations. The course will have a term project providing students a hands-on experience in design and research of HIS. Prereq: MET CS 580; or instructor's consent.  [ 4 cr. ]