Overview

A course of study and laboratory experience extending over one to two years is followed by a qualifying examination which is taken within one semester after completion of required course work. The proposal for dissertation research is then developed and presented to the dissertation committee; the research is performed under the guidance of the major adviser with the help and advice of the committee.

The Director of Graduate Studies serves as a curriculum advisor to all students in the first two years of the program and approves the course registration forms. After the required courses are completed, the student’s research advisor provides direction in the choice of additional courses.

Laboratory rotations are performed in the first year of study to:

• Acquaint the students with research opportunities in the program
• Teach a variety of approaches to research and teach specific research methods
• Permit choice of a laboratory for dissertation research. The dissertation research adviser should be chosen and preliminary work in the area of research begun early in the second year of study.

There is an emphasis on integration of basic experimental and clinical aspects of pathology in the program. Students are encouraged to attend research and clinical seminars and discussions at the Medical School.

Example of a typical curriculum (credit hours in parentheses)

First Year Fall

• Biochemistry (4)
• Elementary Biostatistics (2)
• Seminar (2)
• Lab rotations (2)
• Responsible Conduct of Research

First Year Spring

• Basic and Experimental Pathology (4)
• Special Topics (2)
• Medical Immunology (2)
• Lab rotations (2)
• Responsible Conduct of Research

Second Year Fall

• Special Topics (2)
• Electives
• Responsible Conduct of Research

Second Year Spring

• Molecular Biology (4)
• Electives
• Responsible Conduct of Research

Years 3–5

• Directed Studies

Responsible Conduct of Research is presented by Boston University, requires participation in 4 sessions of 2 hours each, usually 1 session per semester and results in NIH certificate. Information at www.bu.edu/research/policies/ethicsprogram.html

See Specific Curriculum Requirements: www.bumc.bu.edu/busm-pathology/graduate-program/specific-curriculum-and-course-requirements/

Doctoral Program of Study in Pathology

The doctoral curriculum comprises study in lecture- and discussion-based courses and laboratory experience extending over one to two years, followed by a comprehensive written and oral qualifying examination. A proposal for dissertation research is then prepared and presented to the student’s individual dissertation committee; the research is 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 Table 1 below. The track chosen and the degree program (PhD or MD/PhD) determine the specific curriculum. For further information on the interdepartmental tracks, please refer to their sections in this publication.

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. The dissertation research advisor should be chosen and preliminary work in the area of dissertation research begun as early as possible in the second year of study.

The Master of Arts in Pathology Program focuses on the basic science and laboratory techniques of pathology and related disciplines. The master’s program was founded in 2003 by Dr. Adrianne Rogers, professor emerita of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and former associate chair of the department. Graduates will be prepared to work in basic science, biotechnology and other biomedical research laboratories designing, performing, and evaluating research using methods based on morphology. Students learn to prepare and evaluate animal or human cells and tissues for the effects of test compounds, devices, or procedures using morphologic methods.

Techniques include gross, microscopic and ultrastructural techniques for examination of cells and tissues, including histochemical staining and immunohistochemical, immunofluorescence, and radioisotopic methods; certain clinical chemistry, hematological, immunological, and radioisotopic methods for examination of blood and tissue fluids or extracts. Offerings include some or all of the following specialized techniques in the basic laboratory rotations or in the student’s laboratory research project: laser capture techniques, in situ hybridization including fluorescence detection (FISH) and confocal or electron microscopy, image analysis, and virtual pathology. Students learn and rotate in modern, well equipped laboratories on the BU Medical Campus.

Admission

Eligibility: A bachelor’s degree (or higher) from a recognized college or university, including courses in general biology, chemistry, physics, and calculus; the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) general test; the (TOEFL) Test of English as a Foreign Language if the applicant’s native language is not English. Course grades follow the Division letter grade system. Division rules apply to fulfillment of course requirements for the degree.

All admissions go through the Division office in which basic credentials and exam results are checked. The TOEFL requirement is set by the University at 600.

Curriculum

Candidates are required to complete a minimum of 8 semester courses (32 credit hours) at the graduate level, including an original laboratory-based thesis. The degree program is usually completed within two years.

Requirements by topic

Updated curriculum is consistent with the currently approved program alternatives.

Introduction to Basic and Applied Pathology

• GMS PA 801 Special Topics in Pathology, 2 cr, fall

Pathology

• GMS PA 600 Introduction to Pathology and Pathophysiology of Disease, 4 cr, spring

Biochemistry

• GMS BI 755 Biochemistry A (4 cr, fall)
• GMS BI 751 Biochemistry and Morphology (6 cr, fall)

Biostatistics

• GMS CI 670 Biostatistics with a Computer (4 cr, fall)
• MA 700A1 Elementary Biostatistics (2 cr, fall) or
• GMS MS 700 & AN704 Elementary Biostatistics (2 cr, spring)

Immunology

• GMS PA 510 Medical Immunology (2 cr, spring—May)
• Other courses (toxicology, forensics, etc)

Pathology Seminar

• GMS PA 800 A1 Pathology Seminar (2 cr)

Optimized sequence of courses within the current requirements

Fall

• Biochemistry (4 or 6 cr)
• Introduction to Basic and Applied Pathology (2 cr)
• Pathology Seminar (2 cr) and
• Biostatistics (2 or 4 cr)

Total credits 10–14 depending on the choice of courses.

Spring

• Pathology (4 cr)
• Biostatistics (if not taken in fall, 2 cr)
• Immunology (2 cr) and
• Electives/Special Topics (4 or more cr)

Total credits 12–14 or more, depending on the choice of courses.

Other

• Histology and Molecular Biology courses are highly recommended but not mandatory.

Attendance at weekly departmental seminar is required throughout the program in the Fall and Spring semesters. The courses are completed in the first year of study, as are two laboratory rotations. The rotations teach basic histomorphologic techniques and their applications. Each rotation lasts 6–8 weeks part time (at least 15 hours per week) or 3 weeks full time (e.g., in summer or intersession). A required rotation is taken in the Department of Pathology at Boston Medical Center under the supervision of its faculty and working with its technical staff and utilizing available equipment. This rotation teaches basic tissue preparation techniques, including special stains and quality control methods in use in clinical and experimental anatomic pathology laboratories. The second rotation is determined by the student’s particular interest and generally will be in the student’s likely thesis research laboratory. It might, for example, be focused on immunohistochemical or molecular diagnostic techniques or in situ or confocal or electron microscopic techniques in use in a laboratory. Research laboratories at the medical center or in biotechnology companies are the sites used for both rotations and thesis research with which the department or individual faculty has managing, consulting or service associations.

Laboratory Research

The mentor’s laboratory is chosen from laboratories and mentors approved and listed by the department. The Director of Graduate Studies and members of the Graduate Studies Committee of the department will advise students on their choice of thesis research laboratory. The decision is made by mutual agreement between the student and the mentor. The research project usually takes 1 year to complete. A thesis documenting the student’s research is read and approved by the laboratory mentor and one additional faculty member of the department who is knowledgeable in the area of the student’s research. Fourteen (14) research credits are awarded for the required Master of Arts thesis work.

Employment

With the growing use and development of highly sophisticated morphologic techniques, the demand for well-trained technical personnel in academic and biotechnological laboratories is growing. Students interested in careers that involve technical work using morphologic techniques to examine tissues from patients or laboratory animals will benefit from this program and, upon its completion, will likely find attractive employment opportunities. Our graduates will also be well prepared to enter a doctoral degree program in biomedical sciences or apply to medical school.

Our graduates are currently employed in diagnostic and research laboratories and we make every effort to facilitate job opportunities for them.